Orange Currant Polenta Cookies Recipes

POLENTA COOKIES

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix together the polenta, flour, baking powder and salt.
• In a mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and yolk one by one, then add the vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and mix until a firm dough forms.
• Divide the dough in half, place each piece onto a piece of parchment or wax paper, and shape the dough into a rough log about 2 inches in diameter, dusting with cornmeal as needed to prevent sticking. Roll up in the paper, twisting the ends to seal, and roll back and forth a few times to smooth out the shape. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. (At this point, the dough can be frozen for up to 2 months.)
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. With a sharp knife, cut the cookies into 1/2-inch slices, and place on the prepared cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake, rotating halfway through, until cookies are just golden, 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Polenta cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

GRILLED ORANGE POLENTA TOPPED WITH CRABMEAT SALAD AND HERB OIL

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan add water, zest, orange juice and salt. Bring to a boil and gradually whisk in the polenta. Cook polenta over moderately low heat (it should barely boil), stirring constantly, until very thick and it pulls from the sides of the pan about 3 minutes. Once cooked evenly pour polenta onto a lightly greased 1/4 sheet pan. Sprinkle with fresh black pepper, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until firm about 15 minutes.
• In a mixing bowl add the crabmeat, diced figs, zest and juice of a lemon and mayonnaise. Gently mix trying to leave crabmeat in lumps. Season with salt and fresh black pepper, to taste. Cover bowl and place in refrigerator until ready to use.
• In a blender place the chives and basil and a little of the oil. Start to blitz the ingredients together adding more oil until the mixture is a smooth green herb oil. Transfer to a squeeze bottle or a bowl and set aside.
• Preheat grill to medium-high.
• Remove polenta from refrigerator. Take a large can (3-inches in diameter) and remove the top and bottom lid. Using the can cut 4 rounds of polenta. Brush olive oil on both sides and place on grill 3 minutes per side. Once grilled place a polenta round on the center of a plate and use the same can for molding the crabmeat salad. Place the can over the polenta and spoon in about 1 to 2 tablespoons of the crabmeat mixture, push the mixture down with the back of the spoon and lift the can away creating a crabmeat mold on top of the polenta. Top with a few mixed green leaves. Drizzle herb oil over top and serve.

ORANGE CURRANT POLENTA COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, add the currants and orange-flavored liqueur, or water. Soak at least 5 minutes, then drain and discard the liquid. Set aside. Alternatively, soak overnight, or as long as it takes to soak up the Grand Marnier entirely. YUM!
• Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat to combine. Gradually add the eggs and vanilla and mix on medium speed until incorporated, (the mixture will look curdled). Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the flour mixture all at once and mix again on low speed until a dough forms - scrape again including the beaters. When a dough forms add the currants, zest, and polenta and mix on low until thoroughly combined. Roll into small 1-inch balls, and arrange on parchment lined baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, about 8 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool before serving.