Polenta With Leeks Onions Wine And Cheese Recipes

POLENTA WITH LEEKS AND GORGONZOLA

Steps:

• Trim the fennel bulbs, wash them well, cut them in 1/2lengthwise, and then slice them about 1/4 inch thick. Peel the onions and slice them the same way.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large non-stick pan and cook the fennel and onions in it slowly, stirring often, adding a little salt and pepper, to taste, until they are completely soft and golden brown. Stir in the wine, and continue cooking until almost all the liquid is gone, then set the pan aside.
• Clean the leeks thoroughly, cut them in 1/2 lengthwise, then slice them quite thinly crosswise. Heat the remaining olive oil and the butter in a non-stick pan and saute the leeks, stirring them often, until they are soft and beginning to color. Add a little sprinkle of salt¿but not too much.
• Heat 6 cups of broth in a medium-sized saucepan and whisk in the polenta. Lower the heat and simmer the polenta, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, or at least very often, until it is thick and smooth, about 30 minutes. Stir in the sauteed leeks; break the Gorgonzola into chunks and stir it in. Keep stirring until the cheese is all melted into the cornmeal. The polenta should be thick and smooth, but not stiff. If it is holding a shape as you stir it, gradually mix in a bit more vegetable broth.
• Meanwhile, warm up the caramelized fennel and onion mixture. This too could be moistened with a bit of vegetable broth, if needed.
• Ladle the polenta into warm, shallow bowls or onto warm plates, and spoon some of the fennel and onion mixture around the polenta. Scatter some fresh flat-leaf parsley across the top and serve at once with a good red wine.

POLENTA WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• Wash leeks well. Thinly slice white and pale green parts only.
• In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add leeks and stir. Cook covered about 10 minutes until leeks are softened, stirring occasionally.
• Add water, broth and bay leaf. Bring to a boil and gradually whisk in the polenta.
• Reduce heat to medium low and cook stirring almost constantly until thick.
• and creamy, about 35 minutes.
• Remove from heat and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the 1 tablespoon remaining butter and the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

15-MINUTE CHEESY POLENTA WITH CHUNKY TOMATO RAGU

Steps:

• Place a large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Combine the milk, 3 1/2 cups water and a large pinch of salt in a medium saucepan, cover and set it over medium-high heat.
• When the large skillet is hot, add 2 tablespoons of the oil and swirl the pan to coat. Add the sausage and cook, using a wooden spoon to break up the meat, until lightly browned in parts, about 3 minutes. Meanwhile, cut the onion into large chunks.
• Add the onion, carrots and garlic to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the vegetables and a large pinch of salt to the pan with the sausage and cook until the vegetables are slightly softened, about 3 minutes.
• By this time, the milk and water mixture should be at a strong simmer. Whisk in the polenta and lower the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring frequently, until the polenta is thickened and creamy, about 3 minutes. Stir in the butter and cheese and season with additional salt if needed. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
• When the vegetables are slightly softened, stir in the tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are completely tender and the juice from the tomatoes has reduced slightly, 6 to 8 minutes. Season to taste with additional salt and red pepper flakes if desired.
• Divide the polenta (if the polenta is too thick, whisk in 1/4 to 1/2 cup warm water to thin it out) among 4 bowls and top with the chunky tomato ragu. Toss the greens in a large bowl with the remaining olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, and some salt and pepper and serve on the side.

SOFT POLENTA WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks; stir to coat. Cover and cook until leeks soften, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add 2 1/4 cups water, broth and bay leaf. Bring to boil. Gradually whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until mixture is thick and creamy, stirring often and thinning with more water if necessary, about 35 minutes.
• Remove pan from heat. Discard bay leaf. Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon butter and Parmesan cheese. Season polenta to taste with salt and pepper. Divide polenta among plates.

CREAMY BAKED POLENTA WITH HERBS AND GREEN ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour 6 cups water into 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Whisk polenta, salt, and pepper into water. Bake uncovered 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in small skillet over medium heat. Add green onions and sauté 2 minutes. Stir in parsley and thyme, then cream. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
• Stir polenta to blend. Stir green onion mixture, cheese, and lemon peel into polenta. Continue to bake uncovered until polenta is creamy and liquid is completely absorbed, about 10 minutes longer. Let stand 5 minutes; serve.

CHEESY POLENTA

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium-high heat, bring milk, water, and salt to a boil. Gradually whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to low, and cover. Cook 20 minutes, until creamy, lifting the lid and stirring every 3 or 4 minutes to prevent sticking. Remove pot from stove, stir in pepper and butter. Gradually stir in cheese. Serve.

RICE COOKER SUPER CHEESY POLENTA

Steps:

• Place butter, onion, and garlic in rice cooker; close lid and turn on cooker. Cook until onion is soft and translucent, stirring occasionally, 10 to 15 minutes. Add chicken broth, milk, polenta, and salt. Cover and cook on full cycle, stirring occasionally, until polenta has absorbed the liquid, about 20 minutes. Add Cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper; stir until cheese is melted.

BAKED POLENTA WITH CRISPY LEEKS AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees and butter a 9-by-9-inch baking dish. In a large pot, bring stock, 2 tablespoons butter and salt to a boil.
• Reduce heat to medium, then slowly add polenta, stirring constantly until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
• Scrape polenta into prepared dish, cover with foil, and bake for 40 minutes.
• As polenta bakes, prepare the leeks: Heat remaining 1 tablespoon butter and 3 tablespoons oil, in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in leeks and a large pinch of salt, and cook until dark golden and crisped, stirring frequently, and lowering heat if they start to brown too quickly, 10 to 12 minutes. Season with salt to taste.
• Remove polenta from oven. Stir in half the Gorgonzola, then cover again with foil, and let sit for 10 minutes to melt the cheese.
• When ready to serve, taste polenta and stir in more salt, if needed (this will depend on how salty your cheese and stock are). Drizzle polenta with olive oil, and sprinkle with remaining Gorgonzola, crispy leeks, and parsley or basil.