Embark on a culinary journey to savor the delectable flavors of polenta, a versatile dish that takes center stage in this article. Polenta, made from finely ground cornmeal, is transformed into a creamy and comforting base for an array of vibrant ingredients. Indulge in three distinct recipes that showcase polenta's versatility: Polenta with Green Beans, Mushrooms, Peas, and Leeks; Polenta with Roasted Butternut Squash and Crispy Sage; and Polenta with Creamy Gorgonzola and Toasted Walnuts. Each recipe offers a unique flavor profile, from the earthy notes of mushrooms and green beans to the sweet and savory combination of butternut squash and sage. Discover the endless possibilities of polenta as it pairs seamlessly with fresh vegetables, savory cheeses, and aromatic herbs. Unleash your creativity and treat your taste buds to a symphony of flavors with these polenta recipes.
Let's cook with our recipes!
POLENTA WITH GREEN BEANS, MUSHROOMS, PEAS, AND LEEKS
Provided by Tina Miller
Categories Mushroom Side Sauté Vegetarian High Fiber Dinner Cornmeal Leek Green Bean Pea Summer Bon Appétit Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Blanch green beans 1 minute in boiling water. Add peas and cook until both beans and peas are crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer to bowl of ice water to cool. Drain. Cut beans on diagonal into 1-inch pieces. Set beans and peas aside.
- Bring milk and broth to boil in large saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium. Gradually whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to low. Cook until polenta is very thick, whisking almost constantly, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat; cover to keep warm.
- Meanwhile, combine leeks and vermouth in medium saucepan. Boil over medium-high heat until reduced to 1/3 cup, 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Gradually whisk in butter, allowing each addition to melt before adding next. Add cream and whisk over very low heat to blend. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and sauté until almost tender, 5 minutes. Stir in shallots, 1 tablespoon parsley, and thyme. Sauté until mushrooms are very tender, about 5 minutes. Add beans and peas, tossing to coat.
- Rewarm polenta and spoon into large shallow bowl. Top with green bean mixture and remaining 1 tablespoon parsley. Rewarm leeks over low heat, whisking constantly; spoon evenly over polenta.
- Sold at some supermarkets and at natural foods stores and Italian markets. If unavailable, substitute an equal amount of regular yellow cornmeal and cook about half as long.
CREAMY POLENTA WITH MUSHROOMS
Who knows who first mixed soy sauce and butter and discovered the pleasures the combination provides. Try the mixture on warm white rice, a steaming pile of greens or an old sneaker - regardless, the taste is a sublime velvet of sweet and salty, along with a kind of pop we call umami, a fifth taste beyond sweet, sour, bitter and salty. Soy butter provides warmth and luxury, elegance without pomp. For this recipe, we've adapted a dish that was on the menu at the chef Chris Jaeckle's All'onda, in Manhattan: a mixture of soy and butter with mushroom stock to pour over polenta and sautéed mushrooms. The result is a dinner of comfort and joy.
Provided by Sam Sifton
Categories weekday, appetizer, main course, side dish
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- For the polenta, bring 4 1/2 cups water and the milk to a high simmer in a medium-size heavy saucepan set over medium-high heat. Add salt. Pour the cornmeal slowly into the liquid, stirring with a wire whisk to prevent clumping. Continue stirring as the mixture thickens, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Turn heat to low. Cook for approximately 40 to 45 minutes, stirring every 5 to 10 minutes. If the polenta becomes quite thick, thin it with 1/2 cup water, stir well and continue cooking. Add up to 1 cup more water as necessary, to keep the polenta soft enough to stir.
- Add the butter to pot, and stir well. Add the Parmesan, if using. Taste for seasoning. Set the covered saucepan in a pot of barely simmering water, and keep warm for up to an hour or so.
- Meanwhile, put the dried mushrooms in a small bowl, and cover with about 1/2 cup boiling water. Allow to steep for 20 minutes. Remove the mushrooms, and pat dry, then chop roughly. Reserve the mushroom stock.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a sauté pan set over high heat until it has melted. Add the garlic and cook until it starts to sizzle, about 30 seconds. Do not let the garlic brown.
- Add the fresh and reconstituted mushrooms and thyme to the pan, and sauté 3 to 4 minutes, turning until browned. Add about 1/4 cup of the mushroom stock to deglaze the surface, using a wooden spoon to scrape at the browned bits. Allow the stock to reduce by half, then turn the heat to medium-low and add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter, whisking to combine, followed by the soy sauce, cream and olive oil. Allow mixture to cook until it thickens a little, then remove from heat. Taste for seasoning, adding black pepper, if desired.
- Put the polenta in a warmed bowl, then top with mushrooms and the sauce. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 382, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 40 grams, Fat 22 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 6 grams, SaturatedFat 12 grams, Sodium 286 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 1 gram
MUSHROOM POLENTA
Creamy polenta topped with sautéed mushrooms is a classic heart-warming side dish. We've upped the umami flavor here by cooking the polenta in a mushroom broth, creating a delicious and rich version for the mushroom-lover in everyone.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 0
Steps:
- Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 8 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms, season with salt and brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon each butter and fresh thyme and 1 minced shallot; cook 30 seconds. Meanwhile, simmer 3 cups mushroom broth and a pinch of salt in a saucepan. Whisk in 3/4 cup quick-cooking polenta; stir until thickened, 5 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan; season with salt and pepper. Top with the mushrooms, chopped parsley, more Parmesan and pepper.
POLENTA WITH GREEN BEANS, MUSHROOMS, PEAS, AND LEEKS
Make and share this Polenta With Green Beans, Mushrooms, Peas, and Leeks recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Pinay0618
Categories Vegetable
Time 1h
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Blanch green beans 1 minute in boiling water. Add peas and cook until both beans and peas are crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer to bowl of ice water to cool. Drain. Cut beans on diagonal into 1-inch pieces. Set beans and peas aside.
- Bring milk and broth to boil in large saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium. Gradually whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to low. Cook until polenta is very thick, whisking almost constantly, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat; cover to keep warm.
- Meanwhile, combine leeks and vermouth in medium saucepan. Boil over medium-high heat until reduced to 1/3 cup, 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Gradually whisk in butter, allowing each addition to melt before adding next. Add cream and whisk over very low heat to blend. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and sauté until almost tender, 5 minutes. Stir in shallots, 1 tablespoon parsley, and thyme. Sauté until mushrooms are very tender, about 5 minutes. Add beans and peas, tossing to coat.
- Rewarm polenta and spoon into large shallow bowl. Top with green bean mixture and remaining 1 tablespoon parsley. Rewarm leeks over low heat, whisking constantly; spoon evenly over polenta.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 459.7, Fat 24.3, SaturatedFat 10.8, Cholesterol 46.9, Sodium 151.3, Carbohydrate 51, Fiber 7.1, Sugar 13.4, Protein 13.8
MUSHROOM AND LEEK POLENTA
Make and share this Mushroom and Leek Polenta recipe from Food.com.
Provided by KristenErinM
Categories < 60 Mins
Time 45m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- bring water,salt and pepper, to boil. slowly add cornmeal, stirring constantly until well blended. reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10- 15 minutes, stirring frequently until thickened.
- remove from heat and add parmesan cheese and basil. mix well.
- pour into 8x4 inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. cover and refrigerate for at least three hours until firm.
- when reached desired firmness, slice polenta into 12 slices and set aside.
- in sauce pan coated with cooking spray saute rosemary, thyme, mushrooms, leeks, and garlic for about 5 minutes. add tomatoes, vinegar, wine and sliced polenta. cover and cook 10-15 minutes. uncover and turn polenta slices. cook 5-10 minutes until sauce has thickened and polenta is warmed.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 159.8, Fat 1.2, SaturatedFat 0.2, Sodium 272.3, Carbohydrate 30.9, Fiber 3.1, Sugar 4.9, Protein 4.8
POLENTA WITH ASPARAGUS, PEAS AND MINT
Buttery polenta serves as a soft, savory bed for asparagus and peas in this verdant, vegetable-rich main course. Sautéed shallots add sweetness, while fresh mint lends brightness to a satisfying yet light meal. You can substitute any soft herbs for the mint or use a combination for the most complex flavor. And, if you're short on time, instant polenta will work in place of regular, too. Just follow the directions on the package to cook it.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories pastas, main course
Time 1h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
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.
POLENTA WITH GREEN BEANS
This is a different and tasty side dish with an Italian flare, thanks to the cooked polenta. Coarsely-ground cornmeal is sometimes labelled "polenta", a little shopping hint if you have trouble finding it at your supermarket. An Italian market will have it if you strike out at your regular grocery story.
Provided by Lennie
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 45m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Over medium heat in a large pot, bring stock to a boil (use water to make this a vegetarian dish).
- Very slowly, whisk in cornmeal.
- Lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes, whisking very frequently; polenta will be thick.
- Season well with salt and pepper and, with a wooden spoon, beat in the cheese.
- Oil an 8-inch baking dish and pour polenta in; smooth top and set aside to cool.
- Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
- Cut polenta into squares and place on an oiled baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until polenta squares are slightly browned.
- Meanwhile, bring a small pot of water to boil and add beans.
- Cook for 2 minute; drain; rinse under cold water and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil; when hot, add garlic, red pepper and the beans.
- Saute until peppers have softened and garlic is golden, about 5 minutes.
- Season veggies with salt and pepper.
- Place polenta squares on a serving platter and top with veggies; serve immediately.
SOFT POLENTA WITH LEEKS
Categories Side Quick & Easy Parmesan Cornmeal Leek Winter Bon Appétit Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks; stir to coat. Cover and cook until leeks soften, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add 2 1/4 cups water, broth and bay leaf. Bring to boil. Gradually whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until mixture is thick and creamy, stirring often and thinning with more water if necessary, about 35 minutes.
- Remove pan from heat. Discard bay leaf. Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon butter and Parmesan cheese. Season polenta to taste with salt and pepper. Divide polenta among plates.
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
- Be sure to rinse the polenta thoroughly before cooking to remove any excess starch.
- Cook the polenta according to the package directions, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking to the pot.
- Add the vegetables and mushrooms to the polenta towards the end of the cooking time so that they don't overcook.
- Season the polenta to taste with salt and pepper.
- Garnish the polenta with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs before serving.
Conclusion:
This polenta with green beans, mushrooms, peas, and leeks is a delicious and satisfying meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend brunch. It is also a great way to use up leftover polenta. The combination of flavors and textures in this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.
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