Beef And Eggplant Bake With Polenta Crust Recipes

BEEF AND EGGPLANT PIE

Steps:

• Roll out pastry to an 11-inch circle. Use to line 9-inch pie plate; crimp edge decoratively. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Cut unpeeled eggplant into ½-inch cubes; measure 2 cups.
• In 4 tablespoons hot butter in medium saucepan, cook eggplant, covered, 5 minutes; drain.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Melt rest of butter in medium skillet. In it, sauté onion and garlic until onion is tender - about 5 minutes.
• Add chuck and rest of ingredients to skillet; mix well. Cook, over medium heat, 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add eggplant to meat mixture, turn into pie shell. Bake 45-60 minutes, or until crust is golden. Serve hot.

OLE POLENTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• For polenta, in a small bowl, whisk cornmeal, salt and 1 cup water until smooth. In a large saucepan, bring remaining water to a boil. Add cornmeal mixture, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 3 minutes. , Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for 15 minutes. Divide mixture between 2 greased 8-in. square baking dishes. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 1-1/2 hours., In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion, green pepper and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, mushrooms, herbs and hot pepper sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until thickened., Loosen 1 polenta from sides and bottom of dish; invert onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet and set aside. Spoon half of the meat mixture over the remaining polenta. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and half the Parmesan cheese. Top with reserved polenta and remaining meat mixture., Cover and bake at 350° until heated through, 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, 5 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

BEEF AND POLENTA BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• In 3-quart saucepan, heat milk, broth and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt to boiling over medium heat. Gradually stir in polenta with whisk. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened. Stir in 1/2 cup of the cheese and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Spread polenta in baking dish.
• In 12-inch skillet, cook beef over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Remove beef; set aside. Add onion and mushrooms to skillet; cook 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add spinach; cook 1 minute or until wilted. Stir in beef, pasta sauce and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Spoon mixture over polenta.
• Bake uncovered 20 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake 5 to 10 minutes longer or until cheese is golden brown. Sprinkle with basil.

BEEF AND EGGPLANT BAKE WITH POLENTA CRUST

Steps:

• Place eggplant in colander, sprinkle salt all over, leave 30 min, rinse then drain.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in medium frypan; cook onion, capsicum and garlic, stirring until onion softens; add beef, cook stirring until beef browns.
• Add paste, cook stirring for 2 minutes; add wine, cook stirring 5 minutes; add undrained tomatoes; bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes or until liquid is almost evaporated. Chop 1/4 of the basil coarsely and add along with the oregano.
• Preheat oven to moderate heat (180°C)(350°F).
• Cook eggplant on heated oiled grill plate until just browned.
• Meanwhile, combine stock and milk in medium saucepan; bring to a boil; gradually add polenta, stirring constantly; reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes or until polenta thickens.
• Using 3 litre dish, layer 1/2 eggplant, then 1/2 beef mixture, repeat then top with remaining basil; spread polenta on top then sprinkle with cheese.
• Cook, uncovered, in moderately hot oven about 20 minutes or until top is browned lightly.
• Stand 10 minutes before serving.