Spring Polenta Primavera Recipes

SPRING POLENTA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Add the water, milk, salt and pepper to a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture just to a boil.
• Slowly pour in the polenta in an even stream, whisking the entire time.
• Turn the heat down to low and cover partially with a lid. Cook for about 15 to 20 minutes, whisking every few minutes to get out any lumps (be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the pan), until the polenta is thick and creamy.
• Remove from the heat and whisk in the olive oil, fresh basil and lemon zest. Taste and season with additional salt / pepper as desired.
• Meanwhile, add the olive oil to a large skillet set over medium heat. When hot, add in the onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until softened. Add in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
• Add in the asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, peas, salt and pepper. Cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, or until tender to your liking. Remove from the heat. Taste and season with additional salt / pepper as desired.
• To serve, spoon some of the polenta into a bowl. Top with some of the veggies and garnish with some basil and walnuts. Serve immediately!

POLENTA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Grease 9-inch pie plate.
• Bring water to a boil in medium saucepan.
• Slowly add cornmeal over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 2 to 3 minutes or until slightly thick.
• Stir in fontina cheese, cream, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper; cook, stirring constantly, for additional 2 minutes or until very thick.
• Spread into prepared pie plate; cool for 1 hour or until firm.
• Cut into wedges; serve topped with sauce or tomatoes. (I prefer sauce).

SPRING PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Cook pasta as directed on package; drain.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add asparagus, pepper, carrots, garlic, and herb seasoning to oil; cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until tender-crisp.
• Remove from heat; stir in pasta and cheese.
• Serve hot.

MISO POLENTA WITH SPRING VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add polenta and miso and whisk vigorously to incorporate. Bring to a simmer and cook, whisking often in the beginning and less often as mixture thickens, until polenta is tender, 30-35 minutes. Season with salt. Keep warm over low heat until ready to serve.
• Meanwhile, cut dark green tops from spring onions and thinly slice; set aside for serving. Cut white and pale green parts into 3" pieces, halving lengthwise if thick; set aside. Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Cook tofu, tossing occasionally, until browned and crisp around the edges, about 5 minutes. Season lightly with salt and transfer to a plate.
• Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in same skillet and cook mushrooms, tossing occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and reserved white and pale green parts of spring onions and cook, tossing often, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add both peas; cook, tossing occasionally, until bright green and beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Add black bean sauce and ¾ cup water and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring once or twice, until vegetables are crisp-tender and liquid is reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer polenta to a platter. Top with tofu and vegetables. Spoon sauce over and top with sesame seeds and reserved spring onion tops.