Polenta Custard With Port Stewed Autumn Fruits Recipes

TUSCAN BEEF STEW WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• For the stew: In heavy, large saucepan over moderately-high heat, heat 3 tablespoons oil until hot, but not smoking. Add the onion, carrot, and celery and saute, stirring occasionally, until light golden brown, about 10 minutes.
• Add the beef and saute, stirring occasionally, until brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add wine and thyme, stir well, and bring to boil.
• Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper, then lower heat to moderately low, cover, and simmer, stirring every 15 minutes, until the beef is tender, about 2 hours.
• For the polenta: While the beef is simmering, make the polenta. Pour the olive oil into a large serving bowl and swirl to coat. Set aside.
• In heavy, large pot over moderately-high heat, bring stock to a boil. Lower the heat to moderate and gradually whisk in the polenta, stirring constantly. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until polenta thickens and pulls away from sides of pan, about 5 minutes. Transfer the polenta to an oil-coated serving bowl and keep warm. Let the polenta sit for 5 to 10 minutes so it can set up.
• When the beef is tender, use tongs to remove the tomato skins, if desired and the thyme sprigs.
• Turn the polenta out of the bowl, slice, and serve alongside the stew.

POLENTA BEEF STEW

Steps:

• STEW:.
• Place flour, garlic powder, thyme, basil, salt, and pepper in a plastic bag.
• Add meat pieces, a few at a time, shaking to coat.
• In a Dutch oven brown meat, half at a time, in hot oil; drain fat. Return all meat to Dutch oven; add chopped onion, dried rosemary (if using), and garlic.
• Cook and stir until onion is tender. Stir in broth and wine.
• Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 1-1/2 hours.
• Stir in boiling onions and carrots.
• Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
• Simmer, covered, about 30 minutes more or until meat and vegetables are tender. Meanwhile, prepare Polenta.
• Just before serving, stir parsley, tomato paste, and the 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, if using, into stew.
• Serve stew with Polenta. If desired, garnish with rosemary sprigs.
• Makes about 7 cups.
• POLENTA:.
• In a large saucepan bring 3 cups milk just to a simmer over medium heat.
• In a medium bowl combine 1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup water, and 1 teaspoon salt.
• Stir cornmeal mixture slowly into hot milk. Cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until mixture is very thick, stirring occasionally.
• (If mixture is too thick, stir in additional milk).
• Stir in 2 tablespoons butter or margarine until melted.

POLENTA MEAT STEW

Steps:

• Trim fat from meat and cut into 1-inch pieces.
• In a plastic bag combine flour, thyme, basil, salt and pepper. Add meat pieces a few at a time, shaking to coat. Place meat in a 3 1/2-4 quart slow cooker. Add carrots, onions, garlic and rosemary. Stir in water, broth and wine.
• Cover and cook for 8-10 hours on low, or 4-5 hours on high.
• Stir in fresh rosemary, parsley and tomato paste. Serve with a spoonful of polenta in each bowl.
• Just prior to serving prepare polenta by bringing milk to simmer. In a bowl combine, cornmeal, water and salt. Slowly add to the warm milk, stirring constantly.
• Cook and stir until the mixture comes to a boiling. Reduce heat to low and cook 10-15 minutes until thick, stirring occasionally. (I sometimes add 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese and a tablespoon of butter at this point.).

POLENTA CUSTARD WITH PORT-STEWED AUTUMN FRUITS RECIPE

Steps:

• To make the stewed fruits, in a saucepan over high heat, combine the port, honey and cloves. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low so that the port simmers. Add the pear halves and cook gently until tender and slightly translucent but not mushy, 20 to 30 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pears to a cutting board. Discard the cloves. Add the apricots to the simmering port and cook gently until soft, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cut the pear halves lengthwise into wedges. When the apricots are done, remove the pan from the heat and add the pear wedges. Set aside. To make the polenta custard, in a saucepan over medium heat, warm the brandy until hot. Remove from the heat, add the raisins and let stand for 30 minutes. In a large saucepan over high heat, combine the milk and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and slowly whisk in the polenta. Continue to whisk for 2 to 3 minutes. Change to a wooden spoon and continue to simmer, stirring periodically, until the polenta is almost thick enough to hold the spoon upright, 15 to 20 minutes. Preheat an oven to 375 degrees. Generously butter six 1/2-cup ramekins. In a large bowl, mix together the ricotta and sugar. Add the cooked polenta and stir well. Drain the raisins and add them along with the cinnamon to the polenta. Stir in the eggs. Distribute evenly among the prepared ramekins. Place the ramekins, spaced well apart, on a baking sheet. Bake until set and a knife inserted into the center of a custard comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes. Just before the custards are done, gently reheat the fruits. Divide them and their liquid among 6 individual plates. Loosen the edges of the custards with a knife and invert them over the fruits. Drizzle with the crème frîache mixture. Dust the tops with confectioners' sugar and serve. This recipe yields 6 servings.