Polenta Pizza Recipes

POLENTA 'PIZZA' WITH PANCETTA AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees; brush a layer of olive oil on a pizza pan or cookie sheet. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine milk with 2 1/2 cups water and a large pinch of salt. Bring just about to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and add cornmeal in a steady stream, whisking all the while to prevent lumps from forming. Turn heat to low and simmer, whisking frequently, until thick, 10 or 15 minutes. If mixture becomes too thick, whisk in a bit more water; you want a consistency approaching thick oatmeal.
• Stir 1 tablespoon oil into cooked cornmeal (polenta). Spoon it onto prepared pan, working quickly so polenta does not stiffen; spread it evenly to a thickness of about 1/2 inch all over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, cover baking sheet with plastic wrap and put it in refrigerator until it is firm, an hour or more (you can refrigerate polenta overnight if you prefer).
• Put polenta in oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until it begins to brown and crisp on edges. Meanwhile, put two tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft and pancetta is nicely browned, about 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to take onion and pancetta out of pan; set aside. Add spinach to skillet and sauté until it releases its water and pan becomes dry; sprinkle with salt and lots of pepper.
• Take polenta out of oven, sprinkle with Gorgonzola, then spread onion-pancetta mixture and spinach evenly on top of cheese; drizzle with another tablespoon olive oil. Put pizza back in oven for two minutes, or until cheese begins to melt and pancetta and vegetables are warmed through. Cut into slices and serve hot or at room temperature.

SIMPLE POLENTA PIZZA

Steps:

• Start by making the polenta. In a skillet or saucepan on medium to high heat, bring the water and salt to a boil. Then add the polenta, cook for a minute and then turn the heat down to low. Important: use a whisk to constantly mix the cooking ingredients to avoid sticking.
• Once the polenta has somewhat thickened you can cover it and allow it to continue to cook for another 25-30 minutes or until the polenta has become thick and creamy, continuing to whisk as needed.
• While the polenta cooks you can prepare the baking sheet or pizza pan. Prep this sheet or pan with some Parchment Paper that is sprinkled with the additional polenta (about 1 tablespoon should be needed for this).
• Remove the polenta from the stove and stir in any additional seasonings. Then you can transfer the polenta to the prepared baking sheet or pizza pan. The crust should be 1/3-1/2" thick.
• Cover the crust with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour or up to a day. The crust should be firm when removed from the refrigerator.
• When you are ready to make your pizza, remove the pizza crust from the refrigerator. Also, remove the plastic wrap. Preheat your oven to 450. Sprinkle the olive oil over the crust and bake it for 10-12 minutes or until it begins to become crisp and brown around the edges.
• Remove the crust from the oven and top with your desired toppings.
• Return the topped pizza to the oven and bake until done, about 12-15 minutes.

POLENTA PIZZA BITES

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler to high. Brush the polenta with the olive oil on both sides and place the disks on a broiler pan covered with foil. Broil until the tops begin to turn golden, about 1 minute (watch closely as broiler heat varies).
• Flip the polenta disks over and spread about 1 tablespoon of the marinara sauce on each one, then top with cheese and other toppings (if using). Broil until the cheese is golden and bubbly, about 1 more minute. Let cool a few minutes and serve.

POLENTA PIZZA CRUST

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the 3½ cups of water to a boil. Add the salt.
• Slowly add 1⅓ cups Colavita Polenta to the boiling water, and stir. Reduce the heat, and continue stirring for about 5 minutes, until thickened.
• Pour in the 2 tablespoons of Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil and stir to incorporate. Add the chopped parsley, oregano and freshly ground black pepper (to taste). Stir to combine.
• Remove from the heat and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Using a spatula (a silicone spatula works the best), spread the polenta evenly onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Cover the pan and refrigerate for about an hour to set the polenta. You can also chill it overnight.
• Once chilled, heat the oven to 450 degrees. You will want to toast up the polenta crust before topping it. Bake in the oven for about 25 minutes, or until slightly crispy on top. Remove from the oven, and apply your pizza toppings!

POLENTA PIZZA WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Prepare the polenta base. Bring three and one-half cups of water to a boil in a deep saucepan. In a mixing bowl, combine one cup of cold water with the cornmeal and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture is a thick paste. Whisk the paste into the boiling water and simmer, stirring constantly for 15 to 20 minutes or until the mixture is very thick and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat and add the butter and Parmesan cheese.
• Pour the polenta into an oiled 12-inch round pan and flatten into a circle. Cool at room temperature for at least one hour or until the top feels dry.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush the polenta with one tablespoon of oil and bake for 20 minutes. (If it puffs, prick it with a fork.)
• In a large skillet, saute the onion and garlic in two tablespoons of oil until the onion is translucent. Add the mushrooms, raise the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring constantly until all the liquid evaporates and the mushrooms begin to brown. Add the tomatoes, mushroom powder, herbs, salt and pepper, turn the heat down to low and cook for 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add the parsley.
• Spoon the topping onto the polenta and sprinkle with the grated Gruyere, Emmenthaler or Mozzarella cheese. Bake for five to seven minutes or until the cheese has melted and the topping bubbles. Cut into wedges and serve with grated Parmesan cheese on the side.

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.

CARAMELIZED ONION-POTATO-POLENTA PIZZA

Steps:

• Spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon cornmeal. In 2-quart saucepan, mix 1 cup cornmeal and 3/4 cup water. Stir in 3 1/4 cups boiling water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Cook over medium heat about 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils.
• Reduce heat. Cover; simmer about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until very thick. Remove from heat. Stir in olive oil until smooth. Spread hot polenta in 11-inch round on cookie sheet. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 1 hour or until very firm.
• Meanwhile, in 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and sugar; cook 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until deep golden brown and caramelized. In 7-inch skillet, cook potatoes in hot vegetable oil as directed on package; season with 1/8 teaspoon salt and the pepper.
• Heat oven to 450°F. Bake crust 20 minutes. Spread pizza sauce over crust; spoon caramelized onions evenly over sauce. Top with potatoes and cheese. Bake 8 to 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and potatoes are tender. Sprinkle with oregano.

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.

POLENTA "PIZZA" WITH CRUMBLED SAGE

Steps:

• 1. Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a large heavy saucepan and add 2 teaspoons salt. Whisk in the polenta and continue whisking as it begins to bubble. After a minute or two, when the polenta has thickened a bit, reduce the heat to low and let cook gently, stirring occasionally, for about 45 minutes, until thickened and smooth, with no raw cornmeal taste. If the polenta gets too thick as it cooks, add a bit more water. Remove a spoonful and cool, then taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary.
• 2. Spread the polenta on a lightly oiled baking dish to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Let cool and set, preferably overnight, in the refrigerator.
• 3. Heat the oven to 400°F, with a rack in the top third. Tear the mozzarella into big shreds and scatter over the polenta. Top with the Parmesan. Drizzle lightly with oil and crumble the sage leaves on top.
• 4. Bake the polenta until the cheese is bubbling and lightly browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and freshly ground black pepper to taste and let cool slightly.
• 5. Serve cut into rough wedges or squares.

CHEF JOEY'S POLENTA CRUST PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 450'F.
• Spray a 12 inch pizza pan with oil.
• Remove the polenta from its package and drain off the water. Cut it up in pieces and put into the food processor.
• Process the polenta. It will be crumbly. Add in the water, arrowroot flour, Italian herbs, garlic powder and 1/4 cup Romano cheese. Process again until a doughy mixture is obtained.
• Using a spatula, scoop the polenta onto the oiled pizza pan. Spray your hands with oil and pat the polenta into the pizza pan making sure you get it evenly as possible.
• Bake it in your preheated oven for 15 minutes.
• While its cooking, cut up your broccoli heads, scallion and pepper.
• When the polenta crust is done remove and top with the spaghetti sauce, tempeh, pepper, broccoli and scallions, cheeses and Italian herbs.
• Put back into the oven for 25 minutes.
• Remove when done, let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
• Bon Appetit!

POLENTA CAPRESE PIZZA

Steps:

• Lightly coat a large rimmed baking sheet with 1 tablespoon oil. In a large pot, bring milk, 3 cups water and salt to boil over high heat. Whisk in cornmeal in a gentle stream and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring often, until polenta is thick and no longer gritty, about 20 minutes. Working quickly, pour polenta into prepared pan, spreading evenly to the edges. Let stand 10 minutes; cover with plastic wrap and press polenta along sides of pan to form edges of crust. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Heat oven to 450°. Bake chilled crust until it begins to brown at edges, 45 minutes to an hour. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan. Sauté shallots and garlic over medium-high heat until soft, 3 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, 5 minutes. Mash with the back of a spoon and cook until thickened, 3 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon sauce onto the crust, top with cheese and bake until cheese is bubbling, 10 to 15 minutes. Top with basil and cut into squares.

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.