Polenta Triangles Recipes

POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Combine grits and 1/2 cup broth; mix well and set aside.
• Pour remaining 1 cup broth into heavy, large saucepan; bring to a boil.
• Add garlic and moistened grits; mix well and return to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat; add feta cheese. Stir until cheese is completely melted.
• Add red pepper; mix well.
• Spray 8-inch square pan with cooking spray. Spoon grits mixture into prepared pan. Press grits evenly into pan with wet fingertips.
• Refrigerate until cold.
• Preheat broiler. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Turn polenta out onto cutting board and cut into 2-inch squares. Cut each square diagonally into 2 triangles.
• Place polenta triangles on prepared baking sheet and spray tops lightly with cooking spray. Place under broiler until lightly browned and crisp.
• Serve warm or at room temperature. Garnish with fresh oregano and chives if desired.
• Exchanges 1 starch/bread.

POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a medium saute pan over medium heat; add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add the wine and water; increase the heat to high and bring to a boil; gradually add the cornmeal, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
• Reduce the heat to low and cook, continuing to stir constantly, until the mixture is a smooth creamy paste, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt,and pepper; evenly spread the mixture in a lightly oiled 9-inch pie plate; Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours,(when polenta is cool, cover with plastic wrap.).
• When ready to serve, lightly brush the surface of the polenta with olive oil, halve the polenta and cut each halve into 3 triangles.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; arrange the triangles in a single layer; lightly brush tops with olive oil, cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes per side.
• Note: If you prefer, the triangles can be cooked on a stove-top grill pan over medium heat or can be broiled on a baking sheet under the oven broiler; the time remains about 2 minutes per side.

HERBED POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Spray 8x8x2-inch square glass baking dish with vegetable oil spray. Bring broth and butter to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Gradually add cornmeal, whisking constantly. Whisk until mixture is very thick and starts pulling away from pan, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in parsley and basil. Immediately transfer polenta to baking dish, spreading evenly. Cool 5 minutes, then cut polenta into 8 triangles; leave in baking dish. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Rewarm in microwave oven on high, about 2 minutes.)

CHICKEN WITH TOMATO SAUCE AND POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Skin the chicken pieces, reserving the wing tips and the skin for stock.
• Heat two tablespoons of the oil in a heavy casserole and brown the chicken pieces a few at a time. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them in a bowl.
• Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Saute the onion, garlic and chilies until they become soft (about 10 minutes).
• Stir in the cayenne and cumin. Cook a minute, then add the tomatoes, chicken stock, salt and pepper along with the chicken pieces and their juices. Cover and simmer gently about 45 minutes, stirring from time to time, until the chicken is cooked and the sauce thickens. If sauce evaporates too fast, add a little water. Correct the seasoning and when ready to serve, sprinkle with coriander.
• While the chicken is cooking, make the polenta triangles. Preheat broiler. Cook the polenta in water according to directions on package (it will take about five minutes), adding salt to taste, and pour it out onto a flat surface (a large, flat baking tin will do). Smooth it out with a spoon and cool it. Cut the polenta into triangles and place them on a broiling sheet.
• Brush the polenta triangles with the olive oil and broil until the outside is browned and crisp but the inside soft and creamy (about 15 to 20 minutes). Do not turn over. Serve with the chicken, in a separate dish.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO TAPENADE ON POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• For Tapenade:
• Combine all ingredients in processor. Using on/of turns, process until finely chopped. Transfer to small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• For Polenta:
• Combine whipping cream, water and salt in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Gradually whisk in cornmeal. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir until polenta is thick, about 10 minutes. Mix in hot sauce. Season with pepper. Pour into 8-inch square glass baking dish. Chill until cold, about 1 hour. (Tapenade and polenta can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and chill.)
• Cut polenta into 12 squares. Cut each square in half diagonally, forming 24 triangles. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large nonstick skillet over high heat. Working in batches, add polenta triangles and sauté until golden, adding remaining 2 tablespoons oil as necessary, about 2 minutes per side for each batch. Transfer polenta to paper towels; drain.
• Divide tapenade among triangles. Arrange on platter. Garnish with parsley. Serve at room temperature.

POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Oil large baking sheet. Bring 2 cups water and salt to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in cornmeal. Reduce heat to medium. Stir constantly with wooden spoon until mixture is very thick, about 6 minutes.
• Divide hot polenta into 2 equal mounds on prepared baking sheet. Using back of spoon, flatten each mound into 6-inch circle, about 1/2 inch thick. Let stand until cool. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover with plastic and refrigerate.)
• Cut each polenta circle into 6 wedges. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add polenta to skillet; cook until slightly crisp at edges and heated through, adding more oil to skillet as necessary, about 3 minutes per side. Serve warm.

ROSEMARY POLENTA

Steps:

• Heat the butter and olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, rosemary, salt, and pepper and saute for 1 minute. Add the chicken stock, half-and-half, and milk and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and slowly sprinkle the cornmeal into the hot milk while stirring constantly with a whisk. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for a few minutes, until thickened and bubbly. Off the heat, stir in the Parmesan. Pour into a 9 by 13 by 2-inch pan, smooth the top, and refrigerate until firm and cold.
• Cut the chilled polenta into 12 squares, as you would with brownies. Lift each one out with a spatula and cut diagonally into triangles. Dust each triangle lightly in flour. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large saute pan and cook the triangles in batches over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, turning once, until browned on the outside and heated inside. Add more butter and oil, as needed. Serve immediately.

CHICKEN AND VEGETABLE SAUTé OVER HERBED POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Boil broth in small saucepan until reduced to 1 cup, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat. Combine fennel seeds and crushed red pepper in small bowl. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell pepper and sauté until golden and almost tender, about 4 minutes. Add squash and sauté until barely tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in half of fennel seed mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to large bowl.
• Place 3 tablespoons flour in medium bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat with flour; shake off excess. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; stir just until cooked through, about 3 minutes. Stir in remaining fennel seed mixture. Return vegetables to skillet. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover and chill.) Toss chicken and vegetables over medium-high heat until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Mix in 1/4 cup basil.
• Mix vinegar and brown sugar in small skillet. Mix butter with remaining 1 tablespoon flour in small bowl. Bring vinegar mixture to boil. Add reduced broth and bring to boil. Whisk in butter mixture. Boil until sauce thickens slightly, whisking constantly, about 1 minute. Season sauce with salt and pepper.
• Arrange 2 polenta triangles on each of 4 plates. Spoon chicken mixture over polenta. Drizzle each with sauce. Garnish with remaining 1/4 cup basil and serve.