Best 5 Baked Polenta Squares With Mediterranean Toppings Recipes

CRISPY POLENTA SQUARES

Steps:

• Pour warm polenta into an oiled 8-by-8-inch square pan and smooth out top. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours but up to overnight.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Flip polenta onto a cutting board. Brush the top with olive oil. Cut into 16 two-inch squares. Preheat a baking sheet for a few minutes and place the squares on the sheet.
• Place baking sheet in the upper third rack of the oven. Cook 10 minutes. Meanwhile, make the tomato topping by combining all ingredients in a bowl and tossing to coat. Let sit until ready to serve.
• Increase oven setting to broil and cook polenta squares until golden brown on top, about 3 minutes. Transfer squares to a platter and scatter tomato mixture on top.

BAKED GARLIC HERB POLENTA SQUARES

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!

MEDITERRANEAN POLENTA CUPS

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Reduce heat to a gentle boil; slowly whisk in cornmeal. Cook and stir with a wooden spoon for 15-20 minutes or until polenta is thickened and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the pan. Remove from the heat; stir in thyme and pepper. , Spoon heaping tablespoonfuls into miniature muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Using the back of a spoon, make an indentation in the center of each. Cover and chill until set. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, feta cheese, basil and garlic. , Unmold polenta cups and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Top each with 1 heaping tablespoon of tomato mixture. Broil 4 in. from the heat for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.

CRISPY SEASONED POLENTA SQUARES

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, bring the water, tomatoes, salt, onion and garlic to a boil. Reduce heat to a gentle boil; slowly whisk in cornmeal. Cook and stir with a wooden spoon for 15-20 minutes or until polenta is thickened and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the pan. Stir in cheese and oregano. Spread into a 9-in. square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes., Cut polenta into nine squares. In a shallow bowl, whisk egg and milk. In another shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs and cilantro. Dip polenta in the egg mixture, then bread crumb mixture. , In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook polenta in oil in batches for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Serve with sour cream.

BAKED POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease an 11 by 17-inch baking sheet pan with oil. Line pan with waxed paper. The oil will secure the waxed paper onto the pan.
• In a large pot bring to a boil 2 quarts of salted water. Stir in extra-virgin olive oil. When water has reached a boil, reduce heat to medium high and slowly add the polenta, whisking constantly for 3 minutes. When polenta is thick and smooth, pour it into the prepared pan. Spread the polenta evenly.
• Bake in oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan. Note: the polenta will not brown or change in color. When cool enough to handle, cut into any shape you desire. I like to cut out 2-inch circles.