Polenta Mini Pizzas Recipes

POLENTA PIZZA BITES

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler to high. Brush the polenta with the olive oil on both sides and place the disks on a broiler pan covered with foil. Broil until the tops begin to turn golden, about 1 minute (watch closely as broiler heat varies).
• Flip the polenta disks over and spread about 1 tablespoon of the marinara sauce on each one, then top with cheese and other toppings (if using). Broil until the cheese is golden and bubbly, about 1 more minute. Let cool a few minutes and serve.

POLENTA MINI PIZZAS

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Heat olive oil on griddle or in frying pan on medium/medium high.
• Slice polenta into six 1/2 inch rounds.
• Fry polenta according to package directions. If there are no directions for frying, fry 5 minutes per side.
• Remove from griddle/pan, and place on a baking sheet. Prepare each slice like you would a pizza, layering 1 tablespoon pasta sauce, a basil leaf, 1 tablespoon ricotta, then 1 teaspoon parmesan. Broil 2-4 minutes until lightly browned.
• Note: Be careful when removing from the oven, especially if you're using a flat baking sheet. The polenta likes to slide around! Serve.

MINI POLENTA PIZZA BITES

Steps:

• Bring 1½ litres water to the boil and add the stock pots and ½ tsp salt. Pour in the polenta, whisking continuously, bring to the boil and reduce the heat to low, then stir every minute to keep it from sticking, for about 8 mins (or according to pack instructions).
• Meanwhile, oil a non-stick baking tray (ours was 30 x 40cm). Spoon the cooked polenta into the tray and level with a spoon to make a large, flat slab that fills the whole tray (about 1cm thick). You can use wet palms to press it down firmly after a few minutes. Leave to cool and set firm for at least 1 hr.
• Turn out the polenta onto your work surface and cut into strips. Halve the strips on the diagonal to make little wedges and put back on the tray. Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
• Top each polenta base with 1 tsp pizza sauce, a little vegan cheese and a sprinkle of oregano. Add extra toppings, if you like. Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 20-25 mins. Serve warm or cold.

POLENTA 'PIZZA' WITH PANCETTA AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees; brush a layer of olive oil on a pizza pan or cookie sheet. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine milk with 2 1/2 cups water and a large pinch of salt. Bring just about to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and add cornmeal in a steady stream, whisking all the while to prevent lumps from forming. Turn heat to low and simmer, whisking frequently, until thick, 10 or 15 minutes. If mixture becomes too thick, whisk in a bit more water; you want a consistency approaching thick oatmeal.
• Stir 1 tablespoon oil into cooked cornmeal (polenta). Spoon it onto prepared pan, working quickly so polenta does not stiffen; spread it evenly to a thickness of about 1/2 inch all over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, cover baking sheet with plastic wrap and put it in refrigerator until it is firm, an hour or more (you can refrigerate polenta overnight if you prefer).
• Put polenta in oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until it begins to brown and crisp on edges. Meanwhile, put two tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft and pancetta is nicely browned, about 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to take onion and pancetta out of pan; set aside. Add spinach to skillet and sauté until it releases its water and pan becomes dry; sprinkle with salt and lots of pepper.
• Take polenta out of oven, sprinkle with Gorgonzola, then spread onion-pancetta mixture and spinach evenly on top of cheese; drizzle with another tablespoon olive oil. Put pizza back in oven for two minutes, or until cheese begins to melt and pancetta and vegetables are warmed through. Cut into slices and serve hot or at room temperature.

MINI POLENTA PIZZAS

Steps:

• Cut polenta into 24 slices; place on ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle with half of the cheese. Top each with a tomato half and 1/2 teaspoon pesto; sprinkle with remaining cheese., Bake at 450° for 7-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.