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!

PASTA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• On a large heavy baking sheet, toss all of the vegetables with the oil, salt, pepper, and dried herbs to coat. Transfer half of the vegetable mixture to another heavy large baking sheet and arrange evenly over the baking sheets. Bake until the carrots are tender and the vegetables begin to brown, stirring after the first 10 minutes, about 20 minutes total.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Toss the pasta with the vegetable mixtures in a large bowl to combine. Toss with the cherry tomatoes and enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and serve immediately.

EASY PASTA PRIMAVERA RECIPE

Steps:

• Cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al'dente or to your desired doneness, drain water and cover to keep warm.
• While the pasta cooks, cook the vegetables: place a large deep skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat and add oil. Add bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and red onion and saute tossing and stirring frequently until vegetables are crisp-tender, 6-8 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.
• Reduce heat to medium and add the butter and garlic and cook until garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add the pasta, lemon juice, and parmesan cheese to the skillet. Toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Once pasta is heated through, remove from heat.
• Garnish with more freshly grated parmesan if desired and sprinkle on parsley.

PASTA PRIMAVERA WITH ASPARAGUS AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium-high heat.
• While the water is coming to a boil, slice snap peas and asparagus stems into 1/4-inch-thick pieces; leave asparagus tips whole.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add snap peas, asparagus, English peas and onion. Cook until vegetables are barely tender (but not too soft or mushy), 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Drop pasta into boiling water and cook until al dente (1 to 3 minutes for fresh pasta, more for dried pasta). Drain well and transfer pasta to a large bowl. Immediately toss pasta with vegetables, Parmigiano-Reggiano, crème fraîche and herbs. Season generously with salt and pepper, if needed.

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.

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).

POLENTA WITH ASPARAGUS, PEAS AND MINT

Steps:

• If cooking polenta on stovetop: In a medium pot over high heat, combine 4 1/2 cups water, polenta and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently, until thickened, 30 to 40 minutes, depending on how finely the polenta is ground (coarse-ground polenta takes longer).
• Alternatively, cook polenta in oven: Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium Dutch oven or other oven-safe pot over high heat, bring 4 1/2 cups water, polenta and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, stirring constantly until the mixture starts to thicken slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Cover pot and transfer to the oven. Bake for 20 minutes, then give the mixture a stir. If it looks dry, add another 1/2 cup water. Cover the pot once more, and continue to bake for another 20 to 30 minutes.
• When polenta is thick and creamy, stir in 2 to 4 of the tablespoons butter (depending on how buttery you like it) and the Parmesan. Taste and add more Parmesan and salt, if needed.
• As the polenta cooks, prepare the vegetables: In a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add shallots and sauté until tender and golden, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Stir in garlic and cook for another minute or two, until fragrant and very lightly golden in spots. Add vermouth and cook until alcohol evaporates, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Stir in asparagus and peas, and cook until vegetables are glossy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add stock, remaining 2 tablespoons butter and a large pinch of salt, and bring to a simmer. Cook until vegetables are tender and sauce thickens slightly, 2 to 8 minutes. (Thicker asparagus will take longer to soften.) Stir in the mint. Taste and add more salt, if needed.
• To serve, spoon polenta into bowls, top with vegetables and their sauce, and grind on lots of fresh pepper. Finish with shaved Parmesan.