Polenta with Garlicky Greens: A Comforting and Versatile Dish
Polenta, a classic Italian dish made from cornmeal, offers a blank canvas for a variety of flavors and textures. In this article, we present two distinct yet equally delicious recipes that showcase the versatility of polenta. From a simple yet satisfying polenta with garlicky greens to a more elaborate polenta with roasted vegetables and a creamy mushroom sauce, these recipes are sure to warm your heart and tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner looking to explore new culinary horizons, these polenta dishes are a must-try. So gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's embark on a culinary journey with polenta as our guide.
GRILLED POLENTA
Provided by Guy Fieri
Time 2h50m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, over medium-high heat, bring the water and the salt to just a boil. Reduce the heat, slowly whisk in the polenta and season with pepper. Continue to whisk until the mixture starts to tighten up, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the fresh chopped herbs, 2 tablespoons of the butter and the Parmesan. Continue to stir until well combined and very thick, taste for seasoning adjustment.
- Liberally butter a 10-inch springform pan on the bottom and about 2-inches up the side. Pour in the hot polenta and with a rubber spatula, rubbed with butter, smooth out the top. Set aside to cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to set. (This can also be done up to 1 day ahead.)
- Preheat a grill to medium.
- When ready to grill, or pan fry, remove the polenta from the pan and cut it into equal pie shapes or cut circles with a biscuit cutter. Lightly oil a grill, brush each side of the polenta with olive oil and grill or pan sear until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Arrange the polenta on a serving platter and serve hot.
BASIC POLENTA
Dinner is easy with Giada De Laurentiis' Basic Polenta recipe from Everyday Italian on Food Network; it's the perfect cornmeal canvas for your favorite mains.
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories side-dish
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a heavy large saucepan. Add 2 teaspoons of salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add the butter, and stir until melted.
GARLICKY POLENTA
Provided by Valerie Bertinelli
Categories side-dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until melted, then add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and increase the heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to low and add the polenta, whisking. Cook, stirring regularly, until thick and creamy, about 10 minutes. Add the Parmesan, heavy cream, chives and pepper and stir to combine. Add salt to taste and serve immediately.
ROASTED GARLIC POLENTA
Provided by Food Network
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- In a heavy bottom pot, bring 5 cups of water and sea salt to a boil. Mix together the remaining 3 1/2 cups of water and corn grits in a bowl. When the pot of water comes to a boil, add the cornmeal mixture and stir quickly and continuously until the entire mixture is well blended. Add the roasted garlic paste. Reduce the heat so that the polenta is at a low simmer, stirring frequently. Continue to do so until the polenta pulls away from the pot (about 35 minutes). Pour the polenta into a baking sheet to cool. Cut into desired shape (squares for the Napoleon) and pan fry in olive oil until golden in color.
- To build the Polenta Napoleon:
- Place a bed of smoky greens on the plate and top with a polenta square. Top the square with a ladle of rosemary-scented white beans. Top the beans with another polenta square. Decorate the plate with roasted carrot sauce.
WHITE CHEDDAR POLENTA WITH SAUTEED GREENS AND GARLIC-ROASTED PORTOBELLOS
Categories Cheese Garlic Leafy Green Mushroom Vegetable Side Vegetarian Cheddar Cornmeal Spinach Fall Winter Chard Bon Appétit Sugar Conscious Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Oil 11x7x2-inch glass baking dish. Remove stems from mushrooms and chop finely; place in prepared baking dish. Using small spoon, scrape away dark gills from underside of mushrooms and discard. Cut each mushroom cap into 8 wedges; add to baking dish with chopped mushroom stems. Drizzle with 1 1/2 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with 1 minced garlic clove, parsley, salt and pepper and toss to coat. Bake until tender, 25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine 4 cups water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in large saucepan. Bring to boil. Gradually whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to low. Cook until polenta thickens and begins to pull away from sides of pan, whisking often, about 25 minutes for polenta or 15 minutes for yellow cornmeal. Whisk in butter, then cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté 30 seconds. Add Swiss chard and spinach and sauté until tender but still bright green, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spoon polenta onto plates. Top with greens and portobello mushrooms.
Tips:
- To make creamy polenta, use equal parts polenta and liquid. For a firmer polenta, use less liquid.
- Use coarse-ground polenta for a heartier texture and fine-ground polenta for a smoother texture.
- Bring the liquid to a boil before adding the polenta. This will help prevent the polenta from clumping.
- Whisk the polenta constantly as you add it to the boiling liquid. This will also help prevent clumping.
- Cook the polenta over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it is tender and creamy. This usually takes about 20 minutes.
- Season the polenta with salt and pepper to taste.
- Top the polenta with your favorite toppings, such as grated Parmesan cheese, crumbled bacon, or sautéed mushrooms.
- Polenta can also be used to make a variety of dishes, such as polenta cakes, polenta fries, and polenta lasagna.
Conclusion:
Polenta is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you are looking for a hearty breakfast, a light lunch, or a satisfying dinner, polenta is a great option. With its creamy texture and mild flavor, polenta is a perfect canvas for a variety of toppings and sauces. So next time you are looking for something new and exciting to cook, give polenta a try.
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