Creamy Polenta With Mixed Greens Recipes

CREAMY POLENTA WITH BRAISED GREENS AND POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Make the chile oil: Combine the chopped chiles, olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan over low heat and cook 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate up to 1 week. (You will have about 1 1/4 cups chile oil.)
• Cook the polenta: Bring 3 cups cold water, the milk, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Gradually whisk in the polenta; whisk constantly until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, stirring often, until tender and thickened but still creamy, about 30 minutes. Add more hot water as needed if the mixture seems too dry. Stir in the butter and cheese.
• Meanwhile, make the braised greens: Heat the olive oil in a large high-sided saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add the greens, season with salt and pepper and toss. Reduce the heat to medium, stir in 1 cup water, cover and cook until wilted and soft, about 20 minutes. Remove the lid during the last 5 minutes to cook off any additional liquid. Stir in the red wine vinegar just before serving.
• Poach the eggs: Heat 3 cups water with the white vinegar until simmering in a large high-sided frying pan. Break each egg into a cup, then gently add to the water. Poach until the yolks are nearly set, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the eggs from the pan with a slotted spoon to drain the liquid and place on a plate. Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, spoon some of the polenta into bowls, top with some of the greens and a poached egg per bowl. Drizzle with the chile oil and garnish with the chopped parsley.

CREAMY BAKED POLENTA WITH HERBS AND GREEN ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350. Pour 6 cups water into sprayed 13x9 glass baking dish. Whisk polenta, salt and pepper into water. Bake uncovered about 30 minutes. Could be a little more or less. Make sure it doesn't get hard.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in small skillet over medium heat. Add green onions and garlic, saute 2 minutes. Stir in parsley, thyme and cream. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
• Stir polenta to blend. Stir green onion mixture, cheese and lemon peel into polenta. If liquid isn't completely absorbed, bake a little longer.

CREAMY POLENTA WITH MIXED GREENS

Steps:

• Combine tomatoes and boiling water.
• Let stand 30 minutes, drain and chop.
• Combine cornmeal and pinch of black pepper in saucepan.
• Gradually add 3 cups broth and 1 cup water, stirring continually with a whisk.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and cook for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Remove polenta from heat and keep warm.
• Heat a large skillet over medium high heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and saute onion and red pepper for about 10 minutes or until tender.
• Add tomatoes and garlic, cooking for 1 more minute.
• Add 1 cup broth and the greens.
• Cover and reduce heat to low, cooking 15 minutes or until greens are completely tender.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon polenta into 4 plates and top with greens.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
• Since I like things spicy, I add some crushed red pepper to this recipe, or just shake on your favorite hot sauce.
• For Vegetarian use the vegetable broth only.