Breaded Polenta Cutlets Recipes

BAKED POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease an 11 by 17-inch baking 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. Stir in extra-virgin olive oil. When water has reached a boil, reduce heat to medium high and slowly add the polenta, whisking constantly for 3 minutes. When polenta is thick and smooth, pour it into the prepared pan. Spread the polenta evenly.
• Bake in oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan. Note: the polenta will not brown or change in color. When cool enough to handle, cut into any shape you desire. I like to cut out 2-inch circles.

BREADED CHICKEN CUTLETS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• To make bread crumbs: Trim the crust off the bread and discard, tear bread into pieces. Spread bread out on a microwave-safe plate, and microwave on HIGH for 1 minute to dry out the bread. (Alternately, spread the bread out on a baking sheet and dry in a preheated 300 degree F oven for 22 to 25 minutes.) Pulse the dried bread or crumbs in a food processor with the thyme, lemon zest, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper.
• With the flat side of a cook's knife or the smooth side of a meat-pounder, pound each breast to equal thickness. Put the flour, eggs, and the bread crumbs each separately in 3 shallow dishes. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Dip each breast into the flour, then shake off the excess. Next, run the breast through the egg to coat it lightly and hold the chicken over the liquid to let any excess fall back into the bowl. Finally, lay the chicken in the bread crumbs, turn it over and press it into the breading to coat. Lay on a piece of waxed paper.
• Heat a large skillet (12 inches in diameter) over medium heat. Add the oil. Lay 2 chicken breasts smooth-side down in the pan. Cook the chicken without turning until beginning to brown, about 2 minutes. Turn the chicken and cook until equally brown on the other side, about 2 minutes more. Repeat with the remaining 2 breasts. Transfer chicken to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Place all 4 breasts on a rack over a baking pan and bake until firm to the touch, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
• Serving suggestion: Lemon wedges, thyme sprigs for garnish .

BREADED CHICKEN CUTLETS

Steps:

• Prepare cutlets: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss panko, olive oil, and 1 teaspoon salt on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, stirring twice, until deep golden brown, about 15 minutes. Let cool completely. (Crush a few handfuls, to help crumbs adhere.) Whisk eggs in a bowl. Pat dry chicken cutlets; season with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour, tapping off excess. Dip in eggs; coat with panko, patting to adhere. Lay cutlets in layers on a baking sheet, with parchment in between each. Freeze 2 hours, then up to 1 month in resealable plastic bags.
• Bake cutlets: Arrange on a wire rack set on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees, flipping once, until cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes. (If cutlets are not frozen, bake 8 to 10 minutes.)

BREADED POLENTA CUTLETS

Steps:

• To make herbed bread crumbs:.
• Pulverize stale or lightly toasted whole wheat, sourdough, or French bread in a food processor. Mix in mixed dried herbs. Set aside.
• Bring the salt and water to a boil. Gradually pour in the cornmeal and stir briskly with a whisk until the polenta begins to thicken. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring frquently until the polenta tastes done. The cooking time will vary with different cornmeals. Finely ground cornmeal might be done after just a few minutes of cooking, coarsely ground and stone ground may need to simmer for up to 45 minutes. Add more water, if needed, during cooking, until the cornmeal is no longer crunchy and the polenta is the consistency of thick porridge.
• Meanwhile, saute the onions, garlic, and ground fennel seeds in the olive oil on medium heat for about 7 minutes. Remove the cooked polenta from the heat. Stir in onions and the grated cheese(if using). Add salt to taste.
• Pour the hot polenta onto an oiled baking tray or 10" pie pan to about 3/4" thickness. Spread evenly with a rubber spatula. Chill for at least 30 minutes. The plenta will thicken as it cools.
• Preheat the oven to 375*F. and oil a baking sheet.
• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until they get foamy and then whisk in the milk. Place the bread crumbs in a separate shallow bowl. With a knife, cut the cooled polenta into squares, rectangles, diamonds, or whatever shape you like. Line up in order the pan of cutlets, egg mixture, bread crumbs and the oiled baking sheet.
• Lift one cutlet at a time with a spatula and dip it inot the egg mixture. Lightly coat the cutlet and gently shake off the excess. Then dip each cutlet in the bowl of bread crumbs and coat well. Arrange the cutlets on the baking sheet about an inch apart.
• Bake for 35 minutes, until golden brown on both sides, turning once after about 20 minutes.
• Variation:.
• To fry the cutlets, heat olive oil about 1/4" deep in a skillet and fry the cutlets for 2-3 minutes on each side. Serve immediately, or keep in a wqrm oven until ready to serve.