Crisp Polenta Rounds With Pesto And Pine Nuts Recipes

POLENTA AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• In a heavy 2 quart sauce pan, melt butter over low heat.
• Add water, turn up heat, and bring to a boil.
• Slowly add cornmeal while whisking constantly.
• Lower heat slightly and continue to boil and stir until polenta becomes thick and pulls away from sides of pan. (about 30 minutes).
• Remove from heat and add parmesan cheese and pine nuts.
• Cool slightly (until able to handle).
• Grease cookie pan with half of the oil and spread evenly in pan.
• Rub top with remaining oil.
• Chill.
• If grilling, cut into squares (3 to 4 inches).
• Grill on hot grill until crisp on outside and soft and creamy on inside -- or.
• If baking, sprinkle with a little more cheese, and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, then cut into squares.

CRISP POLENTA ROUNDS WITH PESTO AND PINE NUTS RECIPE

Steps:

• For Polenta: Lightly oil a 13x9-inch baking pan. Bring first 4 ingredients to simmer in heavy large saucepan over medium heat; simmer 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, remove herbs and garlic. Whisk in cornmeal in slow steady stream; return to boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer until polenta is very thick, whisking often, about 10 minutes. Turn polenta out into prepared pan; spread to ½-inch-thick layer (polenta will not fill pan). Cool completely. Do Ahead. Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill. For Pesto: Blanch basil in small saucepan of boiling salted water 5 seconds. Drain, rinse, and squeeze dry. Place basil in mini processor. Add ¼ cup pine nuts and cheese. Blend to coarse puree. With machine running, add ½ cup oil. Blend until pesto is almost smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Do Ahead. Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Using 1 1/2- inch round or scalloped cutter cut out 24 polenta rounds. Pour enough oil into heavy large nonstick skillet to coast bottom; heat over medium high heat. Sauté polenta rounds until beginning to brown, about 1 minute per side; transfer to small baking sheet. Do Ahead. Can be made 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm in 375 degree oven 5 minutes before serving. Arrange polenta rounds on platter. Top with pesto; sprinkle with pine nuts