Calling all polenta lovers! If you're looking for a delightful appetizer or snack that's both crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, look no further than these Parmesan Sage Polenta Sticks. Made with a combination of cornmeal, Parmesan cheese, and fresh sage, these polenta sticks are a symphony of flavors and textures. Served with a zesty marinara sauce or a creamy pesto dip, these polenta sticks are sure to be a hit at your next gathering.
The recipe provides two cooking options: baking and air frying. If you prefer a healthier version, air frying is the way to go. It delivers crispy polenta sticks with minimal oil, making them a guilt-free indulgence.
Alongside the classic Parmesan Sage Polenta Sticks, the article offers two additional variations to tantalize your taste buds. The Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Polenta Sticks add a burst of Mediterranean flavors, while the Spinach and Feta Polenta Sticks bring a delightful combination of tangy feta and earthy spinach to the table.
Whether you're a fan of classic flavors or prefer something more adventurous, these Parmesan Sage Polenta Sticks and their variations are sure to satisfy your cravings. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven or air fryer, and let's embark on this culinary journey together!
SAGE POLENTA
Bits of sweet red pepper peek through these pretty polenta squares that have a slightly sweet corn flavor and are generously seasoned with sage. Serve this traditional ethnic side dish with Italian entrees...or even Southwestern fare, suggests our Test Kitchen staff.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 45m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large nonstick saucepan, saute the onion, red pepper and garlic in butter until tender. Stir in water and milk; bring to a boil over medium heat. Gradually whisk in cornmeal, whisking constantly to prevent lumping. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until cornmeal is tender. , Stir in the Parmesan cheese, sage, salt and pepper. Spread into a 13-in. x 9-in. pan coated with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes or until firm., Cut into 12 squares. In a large nonstick skillet, cook polenta in batches in oil over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 143 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 386mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
SLOW COOKER PUMPKIN-PARMESAN POLENTA
This tangy polenta, inspired by the flavors of pumpkin ravioli, is as an easy side dish that can be made on the stovetop or in the slow cooker. For something a little lighter, omit the butter that cooks with the polenta and reduce the browned butter to 1/2 stick, or 4 tablespoons, or halve the recipe if you're not serving a crowd. At first, there will seem to be too much liquid, but the nice thing about cooking polenta in the slow cooker is the grain has time to hydrate, plumping and absorbing the water. When you whisk in the cream cheese at the very end, the texture should be glossy and creamy - loose enough to expand slowly when ladled onto a platter but not runny. If it's too liquidy for you, let it sit with the lid off for a few minutes and then whisk it more. If it's too thick, whisk in some boiling water.
Provided by Sarah DiGregorio
Categories grains and rice, side dish
Time 6h
Yield About 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker, whisk together the polenta with 10 cups of water, then whisk in the pumpkin. Scatter in 4 tablespoons butter, cut into bits; the salt; a generous amount of pepper; the thyme sprig; 1 sprig of the sage; and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg. Cook on low for 6 hours, whisking once or twice if possible. (This can hold very well on warm for several hours.)
- Break the cream cheese into pieces and drop them into the polenta; whisk to melt the cream cheese and combine. Remove and discard the herb sprigs. Stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg, then stir in the grated Parmesan. Taste and add more salt if necessary.
- In a medium skillet, melt the remaining 8 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Pick the leaves from the remaining sage sprigs, and when the butter is melted, drop them in. Cook the butter and the sage, swirling the pan often, until the butter solids start to turn medium-brown and smell toasty, 3 to 5 minutes. (Don't walk away; butter goes from browned to burned in seconds.) Remove the pan from the heat immediately and swirl the browned butter-sage mixture into the polenta. Serve the polenta in a large platter or shallow bowl, topped with a bit more Parmesan and more nutmeg if desired.
- In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water to boil over high heat. Add the polenta in a steady steam while whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to low or medium-low. (You want the polenta-water mixture to be steaming hot, but not boiling.) Continue to whisk constantly for about 3 minutes, until the polenta and water have formed a smooth mixture. Whisk in the pumpkin, 4 tablespoons butter, the salt, a generous amount of pepper, the thyme sprig, 1 sage sprig and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg. Once all the ingredients are combined, cover and cook for 40 minutes, whisking well every 10 minutes.
- Uncover the pot and cook for about 1 hour more, whisking every 10 minutes, until the polenta is smooth and tender, and the mixture has thickened and is creamy but not runny.
- Break the cream cheese into small pieces and drop them into the polenta; whisk to melt the cream cheese and combine. Remove and discard the herb sprigs. Stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg and the grated Parmesan. Taste and add more salt if necessary.
- Melt the remaining 8 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat in a medium skillet. Pick the leaves from the remaining sage sprigs and when the butter is melted, drop them in. Cook the butter and the sage, swirling the pan often, until the butter solids start to turn medium brown and smell toasty, 3 to 5 minutes. (Don't walk away; butter goes from browned to burned in seconds.) Remove the pan from the heat immediately and swirl the browned butter-sage mixture into the polenta. Serve the polenta in a large platter or shallow bowl, topped with a bit more Parmesan and more nutmeg if desired.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 506, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 40 grams, Fat 32 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 18 grams, SaturatedFat 19 grams, Sodium 558 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 1 gram
CREAMY POLENTA WITH PARMESAN AND SAUSAGE
Polenta is such a natural base for so many savory foods - more flavorful than either pasta or mashed potatoes, but somehow just as forgiving - that it's hard to pick a favorite topping. Having said that, I know what mine is: sausage. The fatty succulence of a banger combined with the lean graininess of the cornmeal is somehow perfect.
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories dinner, easy, main course
Time 1h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Put oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add sausages and cook, turning occasionally, until well browned on all sides and cooked through, about 20 minutes. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, put cornmeal in a medium saucepan along with 1 cup water and whisk well to make a slurry; continue whisking mixture to eliminate any lumps. Put pan over medium-high heat, sprinkle with salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook, whisking frequently and adding water as needed to keep mixture loose and free of lumps, between 3 and 4 more cups. If mixture becomes too thick, simply add a bit more water; consistency should be similar to sour cream's.
- Polenta will be done in 15 to 30 minutes, depending on grind. Add cheese and butter. Taste and add salt, if necessary, and lots of pepper; serve topped with sausages.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 731, UnsaturatedFat 30 grams, Carbohydrate 33 grams, Fat 54 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 27 grams, SaturatedFat 21 grams, Sodium 1121 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams
CREAMY PARMESAN POLENTA
Steps:
- Place the chicken stock in a large saucepan. Add the garlic and cook over medium-high heat until the stock comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and very slowly whisk in the cornmeal, whisking constantly to make sure there are no lumps. Switch to a wooden spoon, add the salt and pepper, and simmer, stirring almost constantly, for 10 minutes, until thick. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pan thoroughly while you're stirring. Off the heat, stir in the Parmesan, creme fraiche, and butter. Taste for seasonings and serve hot with extra Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top.
ROSEMARY POLENTA
Provided by Ina Garten
Categories main-dish
Time 16m
Yield 12 to 18 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Heat the butter and olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, rosemary, salt, and pepper and saute for 1 minute. Add the chicken stock, half-and-half, and milk and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and slowly sprinkle the cornmeal into the hot milk while stirring constantly with a whisk. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for a few minutes, until thickened and bubbly. Off the heat, stir in the Parmesan. Pour into a 9 by 13 by 2-inch pan, smooth the top, and refrigerate until firm and cold.
- Cut the chilled polenta into 12 squares, as you would with brownies. Lift each one out with a spatula and cut diagonally into triangles. Dust each triangle lightly in flour. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large saute pan and cook the triangles in batches over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, turning once, until browned on the outside and heated inside. Add more butter and oil, as needed. Serve immediately.
CREAMY POLENTA WITH ROASTED CORN AND FRESH SAGE
This side dish is great served hot and topped with Parmesan cheese, or chilled, cut into shapes and then griddled.
Provided by JOE ZARANSKI
Categories Side Dish Grain Side Dish Recipes Polenta Recipes
Time 1h20m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Grill corn in the husks, or roast in the oven; cut kernels from cob.
- In a heavy 4-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Stir in garlic and onions; reduce heat to low and cook until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in water and milk and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Slowly stir in cornmeal, whisking thoroughly. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking and burning. Season with salt and pepper; simmer 15 minutes more.
- When mixture is thick and the cornmeal is tender, stir in corn, sage and Parmesan cheese. Transfer to a large bowl to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 377.6 calories, Carbohydrate 46.4 g, Cholesterol 18.6 mg, Fat 16.7 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 12.1 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 219.1 mg, Sugar 9.1 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
- Grate the Parmesan cheese finely so that it melts evenly.
- Be careful not to overcook the polenta, or it will become too thick and difficult to work with.
- If the polenta is too thick, add a little more milk or water to thin it out.
- Use a variety of herbs and spices to flavor the polenta, such as sage, rosemary, thyme, garlic, or chili flakes.
- Serve the polenta sticks with your favorite dipping sauce, such as marinara sauce, pesto, or aioli.
Conclusion:
Parmesan sage polenta sticks are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or side dish. They are perfect for parties or potlucks, and they can also be served as a meal on their own. With their crispy exterior and creamy interior, these polenta sticks are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.
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