Polenta Cakes With Lobster Or Crabmeat And Roasted Pepper Sauce Recipes

HARD POLENTA CAKES

Steps:

• In a saucepan combine the milk, water, bay and cayenne. Bring the mixture to a boil over low heat and season generously with salt. Take the seasoning to the edge of too salty. To do this you MUST taste as you go. Polenta acts as a salt eraser, if you don't season abundantly here you will never recover from it.
• Once the liquid is at a boil and is seasoned appropriately, sprinkle in the polenta whisking constantly. Once the polenta is combined switch over to a wooden spoon and stir frequently until the polenta has become thick. Taste the polenta to see if it has cooked through. If it still feels mealy and grainy, add some more milk or water and cook it to a thick consistency. Repeat this process, as needed, until the polenta feels smooth on your tongue, about 30 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and stir in the chopped sage and mascarpone.
• Line a 7 by 7-inch square pan with plastic wrap. Pour the polenta into the prepared pan. Cover the top with more plastic smoothed onto the surface of the polenta. Chill in the refrigerator until needed. (All of this can totally be done ahead of time, like yesterday! Cool!)
• When ready to use, remove the polenta from the pan and cut into desired shapes. Coat a nonstick saute pan with olive oil and bring to medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot and starting to smoke just a little, add the polenta shapes. Cook the polenta on both sides and finish by sprinkling with a little bit grated Parmigiano. Transfer to a serving platter and serve while hot.
• What a corncake!!!!

ROASTED GARLIC POLENTA CAKES

Steps:

• Line a casserole dish with plastic wrap and set aside.
• 2. Preheat a large heavy bottom pot on medium-low heat. Add the butter, onion and garlic and sauté until nicely browned, stirring occasionally.
• Once brown, add the milk and water and turn the heat up to bring to a boil. Keep a close eye on the pot as milk loves to boil over and make a huge mess.
• Just as the milk reaches a boil, reduce heat to medium-low again and using a whisk, slowly stir in the corn meal. Make sure the corn meal is evenly distributed and there is no clumping.
• Season with salt, cumin and paprika and then cook for about 15 minutes. Make sure to give a good stir with a wooden spoon every 5 minutes or so and check that its not burning on the bottom.
• Once the polenta is soft and cooked, its time to stir in the parmesan cheese. Go with fresh grated Parmesano Reggiano if you can.
• Now pour the warm polenta into the plastic lined casserole dish and spread out and compact in an even layer with a wet spatula (so it does not stick) and place in the fridge to cool.
• After 2 hours or so, you can remove the polenta from the dish by lifting the plastic wrap. Place on a cutting board and cut into desired shape. Square, rectangle, circle with a cookie cutter, half moon etc.
• Fry cakes until warm and browned with a little butter in a preheated fry pan on medium heat. Serve as an appy or as part of dinner.

LOBSTER SCAMPI OVER CREAMY POLENTA WITH GARLIC CHIPS

Steps:

• For the garlic chips: Add the oil to a small saute pan to fill 1/4 inch up the sides and heat over medium-high heat. Once heated, add 1 garlic slice to test; if it sizzles when added, then add the remaining garlic. Fry until golden brown. Remove the chips from the oil and place on a paper-towel-lined plate. Season with salt. Make sure not to step away, constantly stir and be ready to remove once golden brown.
• For the polenta: To a medium saucepan over high heat, add the oil and shallots and sweat the shallots, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the warmed stock to the pan and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the polenta in a fine stream, whisking constantly with a wire whisk. Once all the polenta has been added, reduce the heat to low. Stir, using a wooden spoon, every 5 minutes and continue cooking until all the liquid has been absorbed and the mixture is very creamy, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese and heavy cream until combined. Stir in the creme fraiche. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
• For the lobster sauce: To a saute pan over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of the butter and melt. Add the lobster and toss to combine. Add the garlic paste and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Deglaze with the white wine and reduce. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and swirl to combine. Remove from the heat and add the parsley, tarragon and lemon zest.
• To serve: Add some of the polenta to a plate. Top with some of the sauteed lobster and sauce. Garnish with garlic chips, chervil and freshly ground black pepper.

POLENTA CAKES WITH LOBSTER OR CRABMEAT AND ROASTED PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• For the crab or lobster filling: Heat olive oil and saute onions, garlic, peppers and mushrooms. Cook until vegetables are tender. Cool. Add lobster or crab, adding cream at the end to moisten. Adjust seasoning. Reserve for polenta cakes. For the polenta: Mix the cornmeal with the cold water. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium low heat for 20-25 minutes, stirring frequently so it doesn't stick. Add butter, cover and keep warm. For the cakes: Mix the seafood filling with the polenta. Season if needed with salt and cayenne. Cool slightly. Form into round cakes while still warm, and dust with bread crumbs. Chill. Saute cakes in olive oil, or brown in the oven on a lightly greased baking sheet. Serve on spoonful of red pepper sauce with sauteed corn. For the roasted pepper sauce: combine the peppers with the wine and stock. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, and cook until the peppers are tender and the liquid is reduced to one cup. Transfer to a food processor and puree until smooth. Adjust seasoning and consistency if needed.