Cajun Baked Eggs With Polenta Recipes

BAKED BACON & KALE POLENTA SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease 13- x 9-inch (3 L) baking dish. Set aside.
• Heat large skillet over medium heat; cook bacon for 5 to 7 minutes or until golden and lightly crisped. Drain on paper towel-lined plate.
• Remove all but 3 tbsp (45 mL) bacon fat from skillet; cook onion and garlic for about 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in kale and thyme; cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until wilted.
• In large bowl, stir together cornmeal, lemon zest, salt and pepper; stir in milk, eggs and lemon juice. Fold in bacon, kale mixture and cheese. (To make ahead, cover and refrigerate overnight). Before baking, stir in 3 ½ cups (875 mL) boiling water. Transfer to prepared baking dish; dot with butter.
• Bake for 15 minutes; stir and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until set, golden brown, and tester comes out clean when inserted in centre. Let stand for 10 minutes. Cut into squares. Serve hot, warm or cold.

BACON-WRAPPED EGGS WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• For polenta:
• Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add green onions and stir until wilted, about 1 minute. Add 3 cups water and salt; bring to boil. Gradually whisk in polenta. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until thick and creamy, stirring occasionally, about 13 minutes. Stir in cheese and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Cool to lukewarm. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate; polenta will become firm.)
• For baked eggs:
• Heat large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon; fry until beginning to brown but still pliable, about 4 minutes. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Cool slightly. Reserve 2 tablespoons bacon drippings for Spring Greens with Sherry Vinaigrette.
• Line sides of eight 1 1/4-cup custard cups with 2 slices bacon each, forming collar. Place 1/2 slice bacon on bottom of each cup. Divide polenta among cups, about generous 1/3 cup each. Press polenta over bottom and up sides of bacon. Mix cheeses in bowl. Sprinkle 1/4 cup cheese mixture over polenta in each cup. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Crack 1 egg into center of each cup. Sprinkle eggs with remaining cheese, green onions, thyme, and black pepper. Transfer cups to rimmed baking sheet. Bake until egg whites are almost set, about 20 minutes. Let eggs stand at room temperature 5 minutes (eggs will continue to cook).
• Run small sharp knife around edge of cups; tilt cups and slide bacon, polenta, and egg onto plates and serve.

CORN POLENTA WITH BAKED EGGS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. In an ovenproof skillet over medium heat, melt butter. (If you like, you can let it bubble and turn brown, about 5 minutes.)
• Stir in the corn kernels (frozen, fresh, canned, or leave the corn out entirely). Let sizzle for a few minutes, then add broth, polenta and kosher salt. Whisk until the mixture bubbles and thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
• At this point, add a handful of chopped herbs and a couple of sliced scallions or a shallot, if using. Add the greens, if using. Stir in cheese, if using. Stir in sliced olives or roasted red peppers or marinated artichokes, if using.
• Cover the pan. (Aluminum foil or a pasta pot lid will work if you don't have a covered skillet.) Bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and give it all a good stir with a whisk. Cover once more, and bake for another 15 to 25 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and the polenta is tender.
• Add eggs: Use a spoon to make 4 to 6 divots in the polenta, and crack an egg in each. Return the pan to the oven and bake uncovered for another 5 to 10 minutes, until the eggs are cooked to taste. You can run it under the broiler for a few seconds to set the jiggly whites, but it's risky because you might overcook the yolks.
• Crack lots of pepper on top, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and strew with herbs and maybe more cheese before serving. Serve alongside a green salad.

BAKED POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease a half sheet pan with oil. Line pan with waxed paper. The oil will secure the waxed paper onto the pan.
• In a large pot bring to a boil 2 quarts of salted water. When water has reached a boil, reduce heat to medium high and slowly add the polenta, stirring constantly for 3 minutes. When polenta is thick and smooth, pour it into the prepared pan. Bake in oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan. When cool enough to handle, cut into any shape you desire. I like to cut out 2-inch circles.

CAJUN BAKED EGGS WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the andouille and cook until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add the bell pepper and celery, toss to coat and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the scallions, garlic and Cajun seasoning and cook until slightly softened, about 30 seconds. Pour in the tomatoes and 1/4 cup water; season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the broiler. Brush the polenta slices on both sides with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil; arrange on a baking sheet. Broil until crisp around the edges, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Using the back of a spoon, make 8 spaces in the tomato sauce for the eggs. Crack in the eggs, cover and cook until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, 6 to 8 minutes. Top with the parsley, celery leaves and more Cajun seasoning. Serve with the polenta.