Polenta And Greens Recipes

BEANS AND GREENS POLENTA BAKE

Steps:

• Pour warm polenta into a large ovenproof skillet or a ceramic baking dish or metal baking pan and spread into an even layer (ideally about 1" thick). Let cool, then cover and chill at least 1 hour and up to 1 week.
• Preheat oven to 500°F. Heat garlic and ¼ cup oil in a large skillet over medium, stirring occasionally, until garlic is fragrant and starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Add beans and red pepper flakes (if using), then, working in batches, add kale, letting it wilt slightly after each addition before adding more, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and evenly darkened in color, about 3 minutes. Stir in vinegar and salt and cook, still stirring occasionally, until liquid evaporates, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in ¼ cup Parmesan.
• Scrape kale mixture over prepared polenta and spread into an even layer. Drizzle with more oil and sprinkle with more Parmesan.
• Transfer skillet to oven and bake until polenta is warmed through and topping is lightly crisped and browned, 8-10 minutes.

CREAMY POLENTA WITH BRAISED GREENS AND POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Make the chile oil: Combine the chopped chiles, olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan over low heat and cook 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate up to 1 week. (You will have about 1 1/4 cups chile oil.)
• Cook the polenta: Bring 3 cups cold water, the milk, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Gradually whisk in the polenta; whisk constantly until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, stirring often, until tender and thickened but still creamy, about 30 minutes. Add more hot water as needed if the mixture seems too dry. Stir in the butter and cheese.
• Meanwhile, make the braised greens: Heat the olive oil in a large high-sided saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add the greens, season with salt and pepper and toss. Reduce the heat to medium, stir in 1 cup water, cover and cook until wilted and soft, about 20 minutes. Remove the lid during the last 5 minutes to cook off any additional liquid. Stir in the red wine vinegar just before serving.
• Poach the eggs: Heat 3 cups water with the white vinegar until simmering in a large high-sided frying pan. Break each egg into a cup, then gently add to the water. Poach until the yolks are nearly set, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the eggs from the pan with a slotted spoon to drain the liquid and place on a plate. Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, spoon some of the polenta into bowls, top with some of the greens and a poached egg per bowl. Drizzle with the chile oil and garnish with the chopped parsley.

POLENTA WITH GREENS

Steps:

• In a medium pot over high heat, bring 6 cups of the water to a boil. Add the polenta and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, stirring gently to distribute the grains through the water.
• Decrease the heat to medium-low and cover the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the polenta loses its graininess, 35 to 40 minutes. If the polenta becomes very thick, gradually add the remaining cup of water during the final 10 minutes of cooking.
• While the polenta cooks, bring a second large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the greens, bring the water back to a boil, decrease the heat to medium, and cook, stirring often, until the greens are tender, 3 to 5 minutes.☞TESTER TIP: The greens will lose a significant amount of volume as they cook, but if it is easier, go ahead and cook the greens in batches, using a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked greens to a colander before starting the next batch.
• Scoop out a cup of cooking water and reserve, then drain the greens in a colander. Return the pot to the stove.
• In the same pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the anchovies and cook, stirring often, for about 1 minute. Add the red pepper flakes, if using, and decrease the heat to medium-low.
• Add the bread crumbs to the anchovies and let them toast, stirring often, until they turn golden and soak up any remaining butter, 2 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring often to prevent the bread crumbs from burning. Spoon the breadcrumb mixture into a small bowl and return the pot to medium heat.
• Return the drained greens to the pot. Stir in the olive oil, three-quarters of the Parmesan, three-quarters of the bread-crumb mixture, plenty of fresh pepper, and a splash of the greens' cooking water.
• Spoon the polenta into a large wide bowl or divvy between individual serving bowls and top with the remaining Parmesan. Spoon the greens over the polenta, and sprinkle the remaining breadcrumb mixture over the top.

BRAISED CHICKEN LEGS WITH CHEESY POLENTA AND SAUTEED GREENS

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler.
• Place the lemon and onion slices in a baking pan large enough to hold them in a single layer. Place the chicken on top and sprinkle with the oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over the chicken. Rub the chicken to coat evenly with seasonings. Place under broiler to lightly brown the chicken skin, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove chicken from broiler and set oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Pour the stock and wine into the pan and cover tightly with foil. Braise chicken in the oven until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, 30 to 35 minutes. Allow chicken to rest in baking pan, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place a large saucepan over high heat. Add the milk and 3 cups water and bring to a boil. Slowly add the polenta, whisking constantly to prevent lumping. Reduce the heat to low and cook, whisking occasionally to prevent sticking, until polenta is done, approximately 45 minutes. Add the cheese, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
• Place a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is preheated add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and the greens. Season lightly with some of the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Toss with tongs, lowering heat if necessary to prevent burning, until wilted and tender, then check the seasoning and adjust to your taste.
• Preheat the broiler. Remove chicken from roasting pan and place on an ovenproof sheet pan. Remove and discard the onions and lemons. Pour the liquid from the roasting pan into a small saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until reduced to 1 cup. Place chicken in broiler and cook until skin becomes golden and very crispy, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Spoon 3/4 cup polenta onto each of 4 to 6 large plates, then place 1/2 cup greens on top of each followed by a chicken leg. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the reduced chicken cooking liquid over the top of the chicken.

GREENS WITH POLENTA CROUTONS

Steps:

• For the polenta: Coat a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with a thin coat of olive oil.
• Combine 4 cups water and 2 teaspoons salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Slowly add the polenta, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to low, bringing the polenta to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until thick, 5 to 8 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the butter, cheese and rosemary. Pour the polenta into the prepared dish and cool completely until firm.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick silicone liner.
• Unmold the polenta, cut into 1-inch squares and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until crisp and golden, about 1 hour.
• For the salad: Meanwhile, whisk together the vinegar and Dijon in a small bowl along with some salt and pepper. Add the oil in a thin stream, whisking constantly. Toss the greens with the dressing in a large salad bowl. Add the tomatoes, cranberries, and Roquefort and toss again. Arrange the salad on a large serving platter or individual plates. Top with half the croutons and serve immediately. Reserve the remaining croutons for another use in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.

POLENTA WITH GARLICKY GREENS-

Steps:

• Cut off and discard bottom 3 inches of Swiss-chard stems.
• Cut remaining stems into 1/2-inch slices; coarsely chop leaves.
• Rinse and dry stems and leaves separately; place in separate bowls.
• In nonstick 12-inch skillet, heat oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper over medium heat about 2 minutes or until garlic is lightly golden, stirring constantly.
• Increase heat to medium-high; add sliced chard stems to skillet and cook 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Gradually add chard leaves and 1/2 teaspoons.
• salt, stirring until leaves wilt; stir in 1/3 cup water.
• Cover skillet and simmer 5 minutes or until stems and leaves are tender; stir in raisins and set aside.
• Meanwhile, prepare polenta in microwave oven: In 4-quart microwave-safe bowl or casserole, combine cornmeal, 3/4 teaspoons salt, milk, and 4 1/2 ups water.
• Cover and cook on High 12 to 15 minutes, until thickened, stirring once.
• To serve, stir Parmesan into polenta.
• Spoon polenta on a platter; top with Swiss-chard mixture and sprinkle with pine nuts.
• Serve with additional Parmesan to sprinkle over each serving if you like.
• Makes 4 main dish servings.
• Note: If you like, polenta can be prepared on top of stove: In 4-quart saucepan, stir 1 teaspoons salt with 2 cups cold milk.
• Gradually whisk in cornmeal until blended,then whisk in 4 1/2 cups boiling water.
• Heat to boiling over high heat, stirring occasionally.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, partially covered, 20 minutes, stirring frequently.

POLENTA AND GREENS

Steps:

• Wash and dry your greens and slice them into very thin ribbons. You don't really need to slice broccoli di rape if you are using that.
• Bring water to a boil with some salt.
• Add cornmeal slowly and mix rapidly for about 4 minutes. Turn heat to low and let simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring to avoid burning. Take off the heat.
• In a skillet heat the olive oil on meidum heat. and add the garlic (the more the better). Saute for about two minutes.
• Add the greens, salt, and hot pepper. Saute until the greens are wilted but still have good color.
• Serve the greens on top of the polenta.
• A tomato salad is good with this.