Simple Polenta With Sauteed Cherry Tomatoes And Fresh Mozzarella Recipes

BASIC POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a heavy large saucepan. Add 2 teaspoons of salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add the butter, and stir until melted.

CHERRY TOMATO MOZZARELLA SAUTE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; saute shallots with thyme until tender. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes, salt and pepper; heat through. Remove from heat; stir in cheese.

SAUTEED POLENTA WITH ROASTED TOMATOES

Steps:

• For the polenta: Bring 6 cups water and the salt to a boil over high heat in a medium (6-quart) heavy-bottom pot. Bring remaining 4 cups water to a simmer over medium heat in a small saucepan.
• Gradually add polenta to the large pot while whisking constantly. Switch to a wooden spoon once mixed in with no lumps. Cook until cornmeal has absorbed all of the water, about 3 minutes. Lower heat until only one or two large bubbles break the surface at a time (over medium-low or low, adjusting heat as necessary).
• Stir 2 ladles of simmering water into polenta and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until water has been absorbed, about 5 minutes. Continue to add 2 ladles of water every 5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent polenta from scorching and waiting for it to be absorbed before adding more, until polenta is creamy and just pulls away from sides of pot, about 45 minutes. (It may be necessary to adjust heat.)
• Stir in butter and season with pepper. Use a damp spoon or ladle to transfer polenta to a parchment-lined small rimmed baking sheet and chill until firm.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees for the tomatoes.
• Make the tomatoes: In a shallow baking dish, combine garlic, tarragon, sugar, vinegar, and oil. Add tomatoes and toss to combine; season with salt and pepper. Transfer to oven and bake until soft, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• To finish: Invert chilled polenta onto work surface and remove parchment paper. Trim edges and cut polenta into 4 inch squares. Cut squares in half on the diagonal to form triangles. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium saute pan. Sear triangles on each side until light golden, about 2 minutes per side. Serve polenta with roasted tomatoes and fresh ricotta. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and sprinkle with fleur de sel.

POLENTA WITH FRESH TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Cut the polenta into 12 equal slices, each about 1/2 inch thick. Heat the oil on a nonstick griddle or wide skillet. Arrange the polenta slices on the griddle. Cook both sides over medium heat until golden and crisp, at least 10 minutes per side.
• Arrange the polenta slices on a large platter. Sprinkle evenly with the tomato, then the mozzarella cheese. Microwave just until the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Or, if you prefer, bake the polenta briefly in a preheated 400°F oven in an ovenproof container until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Allow 3 to 4 slices of polenta per serving. Sprinkle each serving with fresh or dried basil, if desired.
• Polenta with Fresh Tomatoes and Mozzarella (this page)
• Spinach Fettuccine with Summer Squash (page 79)
• Simple tossed salad
• Calories: 204
• Total Fat: 9g
• Protein: 10g
• Carbohydrate: 21g
• Cholesterol: 19mg
• Sodium: 197mg

POLENTA WITH MOZZARELLA AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Combine milk and cornmeal in large saucepan. Whisk over high heat until mixture comes to boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until polenta thickens, whisking often, about 15 minutes. Add rosemary and cheeses; whisk until cheeses melt. Season with salt and pepper.

POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Pour in polenta steadily, stirring constantly. Continue to stir until polenta is thickened. It should come away from sides of the pan, and be able to support a spoon. This can take anywhere from 20 to 50 minutes. Pour polenta onto a wooden cutting board, let stand for a few minutes.