Polenta Pizza Bites Recipes

MINI POLENTA PIZZA BITES

Steps:

• Bring 1½ litres water to the boil and add the stock pots and ½ tsp salt. Pour in the polenta, whisking continuously, bring to the boil and reduce the heat to low, then stir every minute to keep it from sticking, for about 8 mins (or according to pack instructions).
• Meanwhile, oil a non-stick baking tray (ours was 30 x 40cm). Spoon the cooked polenta into the tray and level with a spoon to make a large, flat slab that fills the whole tray (about 1cm thick). You can use wet palms to press it down firmly after a few minutes. Leave to cool and set firm for at least 1 hr.
• Turn out the polenta onto your work surface and cut into strips. Halve the strips on the diagonal to make little wedges and put back on the tray. Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
• Top each polenta base with 1 tsp pizza sauce, a little vegan cheese and a sprinkle of oregano. Add extra toppings, if you like. Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 20-25 mins. Serve warm or cold.

POLENTA BITES WITH CARAMELIZED MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Cook the polenta: In a medium, heavy pot over high heat bring the cream, stock, salt, and nutmeg to a boil. Add the polenta gradually, whisking constantly. When the mixture thickens, switch to a wooden spoon and adjust the heat to maintain a bare simmer. Cook, stirring often, until thick, smooth, and creamy, about 15 minutes. Add the Parmesan and stir. Keep the polenta warm over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the polenta gets dry as it sits, stir in about 1/4 cup of warm stock or cream.
• Saute the mushrooms: In a medium skillet over high heat, heat the olive oil. When the oil is hot, sprinkle in the mushrooms in a single layer. Don't stir them! Let them sizzle until they have caramelized on the bottom, about 2 minutes. When the bottoms are caramelized, toss them once and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Continue to cook without stirring for about 5 minutes. Season mushrooms with salt and pepper. Add the butter and cook until it begins to brown, then add the garlic. Continue to cook until the garlic begins to brown. Add the thyme and cook for about 10 seconds. Add the lemon juice and cook until the liquid evaporates. Add the wine, and simmer until the mushrooms are glazed with the sauce. Add the parsley. Then stir and remove the pan from the heat.
• Place or pipe about 1 tablespoon of warm polenta onto a spoon. Place about 1/2 teaspoon of the mushroom on top of the polenta. Garnish with grated Parmesan. Serve immediately.

AIR FRYER POLENTA PIZZA BITES

Steps:

• Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Place polenta rounds on a cutting board and brush both sides with extra-virgin olive oil. Transfer 1/2 of the rounds to the air fryer basket.
• Air-fry for 15 minutes. Using tongs, flip rounds over, and cook for 5 minutes more. Sprinkle 1/2 of the sliced olives over the polenta and top with 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese. Cook until cheese has melted, about 2 more minutes.
• Repeat with remaining half of polenta rounds, olives, and mozzarella cheese.

POLENTA MINI PIZZAS

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Heat olive oil on griddle or in frying pan on medium/medium high.
• Slice polenta into six 1/2 inch rounds.
• Fry polenta according to package directions. If there are no directions for frying, fry 5 minutes per side.
• Remove from griddle/pan, and place on a baking sheet. Prepare each slice like you would a pizza, layering 1 tablespoon pasta sauce, a basil leaf, 1 tablespoon ricotta, then 1 teaspoon parmesan. Broil 2-4 minutes until lightly browned.
• Note: Be careful when removing from the oven, especially if you're using a flat baking sheet. The polenta likes to slide around! Serve.

GORGONZOLA POLENTA BITES

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine vinegar and marmalade. Bring to a boil; cook 5-7 minutes or until liquid is reduced to 2 tablespoons., Meanwhile, place bread crumbs in a shallow bowl. Press both sides of polenta slices in bread crumbs. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add polenta in batches; cook 2-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown., Arrange polenta on a serving platter; spoon cheese over top. Sprinkle with currants if desired; drizzle with vinegar mixture. Serve warm or at room temperature.

MINI POLENTA PIZZAS

Steps:

• Cut polenta into 24 slices; place on ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle with half of the cheese. Top each with a tomato half and 1/2 teaspoon pesto; sprinkle with remaining cheese., Bake at 450° for 7-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

CRISP PARMESAN, OLIVE & SUNDRIED TOMATO POLENTA BITES

Steps:

• Pour the stock into a large saucepan and bring to the boil. Add the polenta, and stir continuously over a medium heat for 3-4 mins until thickened and just coming away from the edges of the pan. Add the olives, tomatoes, oil and most of the parmesan, and stir for a further minute until well combined. Season.
• Spoon the polenta mixture onto a lined swiss roll tray or baking sheet. Place another sheet of baking parchment on top and roll out to 1cm thick, then remove the top sheet of parchment and scatter with the remaining parmesan. Leave the polenta to cool at room temperature for 1 hr to set. Alternatively, if you're making it ahead, leave to cool and chill for several hours or overnight.
• Once the polenta has set, heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Cut or stamp the polenta sheet into shapes of your choice, and arrange on a baking tray lined with parchment. Bake for 25-30 mins until golden brown and crisp, and serve warm. Will keep for up to a day in the fridge.