Grilled Polenta Squares Recipes

GRILLED POLENTA

Steps:

• Line a quarter sheet pan or 9x13 pan with parchment. Grease parchment thoroughly.
• In a medium saucepan, whisk together cornmeal, water, half and half (or milk), and salt. Turn heat to medium.
• Whisk constantly until mixture begins to simmer. Turn heat to low. Stir intermittently until mixture thickens significantly and begins to hold a bit of shape/ pulls away from the edges of the pan. This takes about 15-20 minutes.
• Stir in 1/2 cup cheese.
• Pour polenta out into prepared pan. Spread to distribute evenly. Let rest on a wire rack until cooled and set. (At least 20 minutes)
• When polenta is cooled, cut into squares.
• Preheat gas grill to 450-500 degrees Fahrenheit. Or preheat cast iron grill pan to high heat.
• Brush one side of the polenta squares with olive oil. Arrange squares on grill, placing on a diagonal to create off-set grill marks. Press polenta into the grill with a spatula, using light pressure. Brush remaining side of polenta with additional olive oil.
• Cover (gas grill only, unncessary if using grill pan) and grill for about 5 minutes, or until polenta easily lifts from grill grates with a spatula. Flip and grill for about another 5 minutes.
• Arrange on platter and sprinkle with remaining cheese, and minced herbs.

FONTINA AND PROSCIUTTO STUFFED PORK CHOPS WITH GRILLED POLENTA SQUARES AND ROASTED CALIFORNIA GRAPES

Steps:

• Prepare the pork chops. Make a brine by combining the water, sugar, salt, thyme sprigs, clove and all-spice berries in a re-sealable bag. Add the pork chops, seal up the bag and put in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Drain the pork chops and pat dry. Using a paring knife, make a horizontal cut into the center of each chop to make a pocket. Stuff a slice of fontina and prosciutto inside each pocket and secure with a toothpick. Set 2 large cast iron skillets over medium-high heat and add a 2-count of extra-virgin olive oil to each skillet. Add 2 chops to each of the skillets and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until golden. Turn chops, push to 1 side and set grape clusters in pan. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper before putting the pans in the oven. Roast chops for 5 to 7 minutes until cooked through and cheese has melted. Remove from oven when done and set chops and clusters of roasted grapes aside on a plate - keep warm.
• Consolidate juices into 1 pan and set over medium heat. Add a splash of chicken stock to the pan, scraping the bottom to extract all the flavors. Fold in cold butter while whisking to thicken sauce. Season with salt and pepper. To serve, set 1 pork chop on each plate on top of a Grilled Polenta Square, garnish with a cluster of roasted grapes and drizzle with pan sauce. Set a stack of hydroponic watercress to 1 side and serve.
• Bring water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal in a slow steady stream. Lower heat and continue to whisk until the polenta is thick and smooth, about 20 minutes. Add the cream and butter and continue to stir until incorporated. Remove from heat; fold in Parmesan and black pepper. Pour the polenta into a buttered 9 by 13-inch shallow baking dish and spread evenly with a spatula. Cover and chill a few hours. Cut the polenta into squares. Brush both sides with olive oil and transfer to a hot grill. Grill on both sides until golden brown.

GRILLED POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal in a slow steady stream. Lower heat and continue to whisk until the polenta is thick and smooth, about 20 minutes. Add the cream and butter and continue to stir until incorporated. Remove from heat, fold in Parmesan and black pepper. Pour the polenta into a buttered 9 by 13-inch shallow baking dish and spread evenly with a spatula. Cover and chill a few hours. Cut the polenta into squares. Brush both sides with olive oil and transfer to a hot grill. Grill on both sides until golden brown.

GRILLED POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the polenta, 1 1/2 quarts water and salt in a 2-quart baking dish, and stir together. Place the baking dish on top of a sheet pan (so that if water sloshes when you put it in the oven, it will just go onto the sheet pan), and place in the oven. Bake one hour. Remove from the oven, stir in the butter and return to the oven for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, and stir again. Return to the oven for 10 to 20 minutes, until stiff. Remove from the oven and allow to cool, then chill for one hour or more.
• Prepare a medium grill or heat an electric griddle on medium. Cut the polenta into squares, and brush the squares on both sides with olive oil. Place on the grill or griddle. When grill marks appear or when nicely browned, usually in about two to three minutes, turn and brown the other side. Serve hot.

PARMESAN POLENTA SQUARES

Steps:

• Whisk both cornmeals in bowl to blend. Bring broth to boil in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Gradually whisk in cornmeal. Reduce heat to medium-low; whisk constantly until mixture boils and becomes very thick, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in 1/2 cup Parmesan; season with salt and pepper. Pour polenta into 8 x 8 x 2-inch baking pan; smooth top. Cool until firm, at least 30 minutes, or cover and chill overnight.
• Preheat broiler. Cut polenta into 16 squares; brush generously with oil. Arrange polenta, oiled side down, on small baking sheet. Brush top of polenta with oil. Broil until heated through and golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to platter. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup Parmesan.

GRILLED POLENTA WITH MUSHROOM SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, saute shallot in oil until tender. Add the basil, garlic and oregano; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in wine. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes., Add the broth, tomatoes and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce to heat to a gentle boil; slowly whisk in cornmeal. Cook and stir with a wooden spoon for 15-20 minutes or until polenta is thickened and pulls away cleanly from the side of the pan. Spread into a 9-in. square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute mushrooms and shallot in oil until tender. Add the garlic, salt and pepper; cook 1 minute longer. Add wine, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Gradually stir in cream. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir for 5-10 minutes or until slightly thickened., Cut polenta into nine squares. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until crisp and golden brown. Serve with mushroom sauce.

CRISPY SEASONED POLENTA SQUARES

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, bring the water, tomatoes, salt, onion and garlic to a boil. Reduce heat to a gentle boil; slowly whisk in cornmeal. Cook and stir with a wooden spoon for 15-20 minutes or until polenta is thickened and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the pan. Stir in cheese and oregano. Spread into a 9-in. square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes., Cut polenta into nine squares. In a shallow bowl, whisk egg and milk. In another shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs and cilantro. Dip polenta in the egg mixture, then bread crumb mixture. , In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook polenta in oil in batches for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Serve with sour cream.