Spicy Polenta Recipes

SPICY POLENTA CAKES

Steps:

• Combine the milk, salt and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat and slowly whisk in the polenta. Cook, whisking constantly, until the polenta tightens and there are no lumps, about 4 minutes. Stir in the queso blanco, butter, cilantro, pepper and jalapeno. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
• Generously butter a 9-by-9-inch baking pan. Pour the polenta into the pan and set aside to cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours, until firm.
• Preheat a griddle pan over medium heat. Invert the polenta onto a clean cutting board and slice it into nine 3-inch squares. Brush the squares on both sides with the olive oil, then griddle them until golden brown and warmed through, about 3 minutes per side. While warm, drizzle the polenta cakes with the honey and squeeze lime juice over the top. Serve.

OSSO BUCO STEW WITH SPICY POLENTA

Steps:

• Put a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. Season the stew meat with salt and pepper, to taste, and dredge in the flour, shaking off any excess. Add the stew meat to the pan and brown on all sides, about 8 minutes.
• Remove the meat from the pan and set aside on a plate. Pour the chicken broth or stock into the skillet to deglaze and scrape up all the brown bits on the bottom. Turn off the heat and let it sit.
• To the sleeve of a 5 quart slow cooker add half of the chopped the vegetables and nestle half of the meat on top. Add the remaining vegetables, remaining meat, tomatoes, garlic, the broth from the pan, and the thyme. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
• About 5 minutes before the stew is ready, make the polenta according to package instructions. Add a pinch of salt and the red pepper flakes to the water before adding the polenta. Once the polenta has thickened remove from heat, stir in the cheese and butter and whisk until smooth.
• To serve, put a big spoonful of polenta on each plate. Top with some of the stew and garnish with some fresh thyme leaves, if desired, (Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the stew for round 2 recipe Osso Buco Calzones)

PAN-SEARED POLENTA WITH SPICY TOMATO-BASIL SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place 15x10x2-inch glass baking dish on rimmed baking sheet. Combine 8 cups water, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and 2 teaspoons salt in dish. Gradually mix in polenta.
• Place baking sheet with polenta in oven. Bake polenta 1 hour. Add pepper and stir to blend. Bake 20 minutes. Stir again and spread evenly. Bake until polenta is very thick, about 20 minutes longer. Cool polenta to room temperature, 1 to 2 hours (polenta will become firm). Using metal spatula, press polenta all over to even thickness. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover with plastic wrap; chill.
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Cut polenta lengthwise into 4 strips. Cut each strip crosswise into 6 squares. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add polenta squares. Sauté until crisp and beginning to color, about 8 minutes per side. Transfer polenta to small baking sheet; place in oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining polenta, adding oil to skillet as needed.
• Divide polenta among plates. Top with warm Spicy Tomato-Basil Sauce. Garnish with fresh basil sprigs, if desired.
• Sold at some supermarkets and at natural foods stores and Italian markets. If unavailable, substitute an equal amount of regular yellow cornmeal.
• What to drink:
• A medium-bodied red Italian wine is great with the spicy sauce. One to try: Montresor NV "Il Veronese" Valpolicella ($14), a lovely red blend with dried fruit flavors and vanilla notes.

SPICY POLENTA

Steps:

• In 3-quart saucepan, heat broth, milk, cumin, salt and red pepper to boiling. Slowly pour grits into boiling broth mixture, stirring vigorously with wire whisk to prevent lumps from forming.
• Reduce heat to low; simmer uncovered 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Stir in cheese.

CREAMY POLENTA WITH SPICY CHILE OIL

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water to a boil. Whisking constantly, gradually add 3/4 cup yellow cornmeal. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, whisking frequently, until thick and creamy, 2 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper.
• In a small saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons over medium. Add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until red-pepper flakes begin to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve polenta topped with chile oil.