**Polenta with Leeks, Onions, Wine, and Cheese: A Creamy, Savory Treat**
Polenta, a versatile dish often made from yellow cornmeal, takes center stage in this delectable recipe. It is simmered in flavorful broth until creamy, creating a hearty base for an array of savory toppings. But this dish is not just your average polenta; it's loaded with sautéed leeks and onions that caramelize to perfection, adding a sweet and smoky depth of flavor. The addition of white wine deglazes the pan, infusing the polenta with a subtle hint of acidity that balances the richness of the dish. As a final touch, a generous amount of nutty Parmesan and tangy Asiago cheeses are melted into the polenta, creating a luscious, cheesy sauce that coats every bite. This polenta dish is a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or simply served on its own as a satisfying main course.
BAKED POLENTA WITH CRISPY LEEKS AND BLUE CHEESE
Baking polenta in the oven means you don't have to stand over the pot, stirring the extremely hot, bubbling mass. Here, the polenta is cooked in stock for the deepest flavor. Then it's topped with piquant crumbles of Gorgonzola dolce and crisp fried leeks, which add sweetness and crunch. You can serve this as a warming main course along with a crisp green salad, or as a rich and flavorful side dish to simple roasted meats or fish.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dinner, weekday, grains and rice, main course, side dish
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees and butter a 9-by-9-inch baking dish. In a large pot, bring stock, 2 tablespoons butter and salt to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium, then slowly add polenta, stirring constantly until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Scrape polenta into prepared dish, cover with foil, and bake for 40 minutes.
- As polenta bakes, prepare the leeks: Heat remaining 1 tablespoon butter and 3 tablespoons oil, in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in leeks and a large pinch of salt, and cook until dark golden and crisped, stirring frequently, and lowering heat if they start to brown too quickly, 10 to 12 minutes. Season with salt to taste.
- Remove polenta from oven. Stir in half the Gorgonzola, then cover again with foil, and let sit for 10 minutes to melt the cheese.
- When ready to serve, taste polenta and stir in more salt, if needed (this will depend on how salty your cheese and stock are). Drizzle polenta with olive oil, and sprinkle with remaining Gorgonzola, crispy leeks, and parsley or basil.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 350, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 31 grams, Fat 20 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 9 grams, Sodium 578 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams
POLENTA WITH LEEKS
Now this is a recipe I don't make too often because I eat way too much of it. It is the ultimate comfort food for me and one that I become a bottomless pit with. Though it is good as a side dish with pasta and sauce or with braised meats.
Provided by Kim A. Heaphy
Categories Low Protein
Time 50m
Yield 5 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Wash leeks well. Thinly slice white and pale green parts only.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add leeks and stir. Cook covered about 10 minutes until leeks are softened, stirring occasionally.
- Add water, broth and bay leaf. Bring to a boil and gradually whisk in the polenta.
- Reduce heat to medium low and cook stirring almost constantly until thick.
- and creamy, about 35 minutes.
- Remove from heat and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the 1 tablespoon remaining butter and the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 185.2, Fat 5.8, SaturatedFat 2.9, Cholesterol 11.9, Sodium 168.2, Carbohydrate 27.8, Fiber 2.8, Sugar 2.4, Protein 7.3
POLENTA WITH LEEKS AND GORGONZOLA
Steps:
- Trim the fennel bulbs, wash them well, cut them in 1/2lengthwise, and then slice them about 1/4 inch thick. Peel the onions and slice them the same way.
- Heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large non-stick pan and cook the fennel and onions in it slowly, stirring often, adding a little salt and pepper, to taste, until they are completely soft and golden brown. Stir in the wine, and continue cooking until almost all the liquid is gone, then set the pan aside.
- Clean the leeks thoroughly, cut them in 1/2 lengthwise, then slice them quite thinly crosswise. Heat the remaining olive oil and the butter in a non-stick pan and saute the leeks, stirring them often, until they are soft and beginning to color. Add a little sprinkle of salt¿but not too much.
- Heat 6 cups of broth in a medium-sized saucepan and whisk in the polenta. Lower the heat and simmer the polenta, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, or at least very often, until it is thick and smooth, about 30 minutes. Stir in the sauteed leeks; break the Gorgonzola into chunks and stir it in. Keep stirring until the cheese is all melted into the cornmeal. The polenta should be thick and smooth, but not stiff. If it is holding a shape as you stir it, gradually mix in a bit more vegetable broth.
- Meanwhile, warm up the caramelized fennel and onion mixture. This too could be moistened with a bit of vegetable broth, if needed.
- Ladle the polenta into warm, shallow bowls or onto warm plates, and spoon some of the fennel and onion mixture around the polenta. Scatter some fresh flat-leaf parsley across the top and serve at once with a good red wine.
CHEESY POLENTA
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Time 22m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring the water to a boil in a large, heavy pot. Add the salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring often, until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat. Add the cheese, milk, butter, and parsley. Stir until the butter and cheese have melted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the polenta to a bowl and serve.
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.
MAKE-AHEAD POLENTA WITH GREEN ONIONS AND RICOTTA
Even the picky eaters will love this easy polenta recipe that can be made ahead of time-perfect for special occasions!
Provided by Molly Yeh
Categories Side Dish
Time 9h30m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) broiler-proof baking dish with cooking spray. (Do not use a glass baking dish if you want to broil the ricotta topping; glass baking dishes can break under the broiler.)
- In 4-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add green onions; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add milk, water and 1 1/2 teaspoons of the salt; heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.
- Still over medium heat, slowly add cornmeal, stirring constantly with whisk until mixture thickens, 5 to 10 minutes. (If mixture starts to bubble and spatter, reduce heat to medium-low.) Remove from heat. Stir in pepper, Parmesan cheese and half of the chives. If desired, taste and adjust seasonings.
- Pour into baking dish; spread evenly. Cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Cover loosely with foil; refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
- For ricotta topping, in medium bowl, stir together ricotta cheese, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, remaining half of the chives and the eggs. Cover; refrigerate until ready to use. (This can also be made a day ahead or the day of.)
- Heat oven to 400°F. Spread ricotta topping evenly over top of polenta.
- Bake about 40 minutes or until thoroughly heated. (If using a broiler-proof dish and you'd like to brown the top, you can set it under the broiler for a few minutes.) Cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 Serving
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.
BASIC CHEESE POLENTA
Why buy polenta in a box when you can make it from scratch cheaper? A great day-before dish. Once the polenta has been refrigerated serve it in a variety of different ways: sliced and fried--or serve it immediately as a mashed potato or rice substitute!
Provided by Dawn
Categories Side Dish Grain Side Dish Recipes Polenta Recipes
Time 4h30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- In a mixing bowl combine cornmeal, cold water and salt. Grease a loaf pan.
- Bring the remaining 3 cups of water to a rolling boil and stir in the cornmeal mixture. Bring the mixture back to a boil while stirring constantly. Reduce heat to a simmer and stir in the cheese.
- Let the mixture simmer for 20 to 30 minutes; stirring frequently. Allow the polenta to simmer until it becomes very thick. Spread the mixture into the loaf pan and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 213.5 calories, Carbohydrate 28.1 g, Cholesterol 17.6 mg, Fat 6.3 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 10.2 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 896.7 mg, Sugar 0.8 g
Tips:
- Use creamy polenta: Creamy polenta has a smooth and rich texture that pairs well with the flavors of leeks, onions, wine, and cheese.
- Sauté the leeks and onions until softened: This will help bring out their sweetness and flavor.
- Use a good quality white wine: A dry white wine will add depth of flavor to the dish.
- Grate the cheese finely: This will help it melt evenly and smoothly.
- Serve the polenta immediately: Polenta is best enjoyed fresh and hot.
Conclusion:
Polenta with leeks, onions, wine, and cheese is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover polenta. This dish is sure to please everyone at the table.
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