Cheesy Apple Polenta Bites Recipes

CHEESY APPLE POLENTA BITES

Steps:

• Line square baking dish, 8x8x2 inches, with aluminum foil, leaving 1 inch of foil overhanging at 2 opposite sides of pan; grease foil. Mix cornmeal and cold water in 2-quart saucepan. Stir in boiling water and salt. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens; reduce heat to low. Stir in onion, sage and 1/2 cup of the cheese. Cook uncovered 5 minutes, stirring occasionally; remove from heat.
• Spread cornmeal mixture (polenta) in baking dish. Cover and refrigerate at least 12 hours until firm.
• Heat oven to 400°. Grease jelly roll pan, 15 1/2x10 1/2x1 inch. Remove polenta from baking dish, using foil edges to lift. Cut polenta into 6 rows by 6 rows to make 36 squares. Cut each square diagonally to make 2 triangles; place in jelly roll pan. Bake uncovered about 15 minutes or until golden brown.
• Cut apple into thin slices. Cut slices into fourths. Dip apple pieces into lemon juice to keep them from discoloring. Top each triangle with 1 apple piece. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese over apple pieces. Bake about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve warm.

POLENTA BITES WITH CARAMELIZED MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Cook the polenta: In a medium, heavy pot over high heat bring the cream, stock, salt, and nutmeg to a boil. Add the polenta gradually, whisking constantly. When the mixture thickens, switch to a wooden spoon and adjust the heat to maintain a bare simmer. Cook, stirring often, until thick, smooth, and creamy, about 15 minutes. Add the Parmesan and stir. Keep the polenta warm over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the polenta gets dry as it sits, stir in about 1/4 cup of warm stock or cream.
• Saute the mushrooms: In a medium skillet over high heat, heat the olive oil. When the oil is hot, sprinkle in the mushrooms in a single layer. Don't stir them! Let them sizzle until they have caramelized on the bottom, about 2 minutes. When the bottoms are caramelized, toss them once and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Continue to cook without stirring for about 5 minutes. Season mushrooms with salt and pepper. Add the butter and cook until it begins to brown, then add the garlic. Continue to cook until the garlic begins to brown. Add the thyme and cook for about 10 seconds. Add the lemon juice and cook until the liquid evaporates. Add the wine, and simmer until the mushrooms are glazed with the sauce. Add the parsley. Then stir and remove the pan from the heat.
• Place or pipe about 1 tablespoon of warm polenta onto a spoon. Place about 1/2 teaspoon of the mushroom on top of the polenta. Garnish with grated Parmesan. Serve immediately.

GORGONZOLA POLENTA BITES

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine vinegar and marmalade. Bring to a boil; cook 5-7 minutes or until liquid is reduced to 2 tablespoons., Meanwhile, place bread crumbs in a shallow bowl. Press both sides of polenta slices in bread crumbs. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add polenta in batches; cook 2-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown., Arrange polenta on a serving platter; spoon cheese over top. Sprinkle with currants if desired; drizzle with vinegar mixture. Serve warm or at room temperature.