Indulge in the creamy delight of baked polenta, a versatile dish that takes on a savory herb-infused twist in this recipe. This delectable dish is a symphony of flavors, textures, and aromas, sure to tantalize your taste buds. Polenta, made from coarsely ground cornmeal, forms the base of this dish, offering a creamy and slightly grainy texture. The addition of herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano infuses the polenta with a burst of earthy and aromatic flavors. Baked to perfection, the polenta develops a golden-brown crust, adding a delightful contrast to its creamy interior. Accompanying the polenta are three tantalizing recipes that elevate this dish to a culinary masterpiece. A tangy tomato sauce, bursting with the flavors of fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil, serves as a vibrant topping, while a creamy mushroom sauce, enriched with sautéed mushrooms, white wine, and cream, adds a touch of elegance. For those who prefer a vegetarian option, a flavorful roasted vegetable medley, comprising colorful bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes, offers a delightful array of textures and tastes.
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BAKED GARLIC HERB POLENTA SQUARES
This is a fun spin on the classic Polenta by turning it into handy little baked garlic herb polenta squares. It is really simple to make and so flavorful too!
Provided by Jeanie and Lulu's Kitchen
Categories Kid-Friendly Shellfish-Free Picnic Weekend Project Gluten-Free Egg-Free Soy-Free Fish-Free Fridge Peanut-Free Tree Nut-Free Sugar-Free Oven Stove
Time 1h10m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Get a medium saucepan and an 8 x 8 baking dish. Spray the baking dish with the Olive Oil Cooking Spray (as needed).
- Then combine the Milk (2 cup), Chicken Stock (2 cup), Garlic (3 clove), Dried Parsley (1/2 teaspoon), Dried Tarragon (1/2 teaspoon), Salt (1 pinch), and Dried Thyme (1/2 teaspoon) in the saucepan and bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium high heat. Whisk it a few times to stir it all together.
- Then slowly pour in the Polenta (1 cup) while you continue to whisk. Keep whisking while the polenta cooks for about 3 minutes. Once it is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the sauce and Asiago Cheese (1/4 cup).
- Spread the mixture into a packed, even layer in the baking pan and refrigerate it uncovered for 30 minutes. This will make it firm and set for baking.
- When the 30 minutes is almost up, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with foil. Spray the foil with more cooking spray. Take out the chilled tray of polenta and cut it into 12 squares. Remove them from the pan and transfer them to the baking sheet.
- Bake them for 20-25 minutes until they become slightly crisp on the outside and creamy
- Serve immediately with Ketchup (to taste) or marinara for dipping!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 44 calories, Protein 2.7 g, Fat 1.5 g, Carbohydrate 4.8 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Sugar 2.3 g, Sodium 110.2 mg, SaturatedFat 0.8 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 5.5 mg, UnsaturatedFat 0.2 g
HERBY POLENTA WITH CORN, EGGS AND FETA
Cooking polenta in the oven has turned out to be quite a game-changer for me, and completely contradicts the belief that polenta needs to consistently be attended to. Do try to find coarse cornmeal here rather than the quick-cooking kind, as that style of polenta simply won't yield the same smooth and creamy result that you're looking for. You can also swap out the chicken stock for vegetable stock or water if you're looking for a vegetarian alternative. I like to serve this as a midday brunch with a zesty green salad, as it's hearty enough to keep you going until dinner.
Provided by Yotam Ottolenghi
Categories casseroles, grains and rice, main course
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Heat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit/200 degrees Celsius.
- Add the corn to a food processor and pulse once or twice, just until roughly chopped. Transfer corn to a large bowl and add the spinach, cornmeal, Parmesan, scallions, 1/4 cup cilantro, parsley, dill, garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a good grind of pepper; stir to combine. Transfer this mixture to a large, deep, oven-proof skillet, then add the milk, stock and butter, stirring gently to mix through. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven and give everything a good whisk.
- Return to the oven and bake until the cornmeal is cooked through and the mixture has thickened, about 20 minutes. Give the polenta another good whisk - it should be quite smooth and not completely set - then stir in half the feta. Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees Fahrenheit/220 degrees Celsius.
- Use a dinner spoon to make 8 shallow wells in the polenta. Crack an egg into each well and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the remaining feta all over, and bake until the egg whites are cooked and the yolks are still runny, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine the reserved scallions and cilantro in a bowl with the oil. Spoon this mixture all over the polenta and eggs and sprinkle with the red-pepper flakes. Serve directly from the pan.
CREAMY BAKED POLENTA WITH HERBS AND GREEN ONIONS
Categories Milk/Cream Onion Side Bake Vegetarian New Year's Eve Parmesan Cornmeal Winter Thyme Parsley Monterey Jack Bon Appétit Sugar Conscious Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
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.
HERBED POLENTA "FRIES"
Provided by Lillian Chou
Categories Side Kid-Friendly Father's Day Dinner Parmesan Rosemary Sage Gourmet Sugar Conscious Kidney Friendly Vegetarian Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher Small Plates
Yield Makes 4 to 6 (side dish) servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Brush an 8-inch square baking dish with oil.
- Combine water, polenta, herbs, and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a heavy medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly with a long-handled wooden spoon, until polenta begins to pull away from side of pan, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in cheese and butter until incorporated, then transfer polenta to baking dish, spreading evenly with a dampened rubber spatula. Chill, uncovered, until set, about 45 minutes.
- Preheat broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil and brush with oil.
- Unmold polenta, then cut into 16 (about 4- by 1-inch) sticks. Brush tops with oil and space evenly on baking sheet. Broil about 4 inches from heat until golden, 15 to 20 minutes.
Tips:
- Use fresh herbs: Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano will give your polenta a more flavorful taste.
- Don't overcook the polenta: Polenta should be cooked until it is just tender, but not mushy. Overcooked polenta will be dry and crumbly.
- Let the polenta cool before slicing and serving: This will help the polenta to hold its shape better.
- Serve polenta with your favorite toppings: Polenta can be served with a variety of toppings, such as cheese, sauce, or vegetables.
- Polenta can be made ahead of time: Polenta can be made up to 3 days in advance. Simply reheat it in the oven or microwave before serving.
Conclusion:
Polenta is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is a good source of fiber and nutrients, and it can be easily customized to your liking. With a little creativity, you can create a polenta dish that is sure to impress your family and friends.
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