Venetian Style Polenta Cakes With Cavolini Di Bruxelles Recipes

PORK TENDERLOIN WITH POLENTA CAKES

Steps:

• Mushrooms: Pick mushrooms that are small and the gills on the underneath side are closed. Gently wash mushrooms and drain. Put all the mushrooms in large Dutch oven and begin cooking on medium heat. Water will be rendered from the mushrooms. If no liquid is rendered from the mushrooms, add 1 cup of broth to begin cooking. When the mushrooms have shriveled, add the broth and the onion soup. Cook slowly for about 2 hours until the mushrooms are darker in color and tender. If more liquid is needed, add water. After 2 hours add the wine and cook 1 hour more. The liquid should be reduced by 2/3 by now. Add the rosemary and butter and keep warm.
• Pork Tenderloin: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Flour the tenderloin and shake off excess. Add salt and pepper. In a skillet over medium high heat, heat about 1 tablespoon of oil or a mixture of oil and butter. Saute the tenderloin until seared on all sides. Put in oven in skillet and roast for about 8 to 12 minutes until internal temperature is 170. Remove loin and keep warm. Deglaze the pan with wine, reduce by half and add a pat of butter. Add tenderloin back to pan and keep warm.
• Polenta Cakes: Wrap polenta in cling wrap and refrigerate until firm. Cut polenta into rounds and dip in egg that has been beaten and dredge in flour mixed with Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Fry in oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Make 2 per person.
• To serve: Place 2 polenta cakes on the plate 1 slightly overlapping the other. Slice tenderloin and allow 5 to 6 slices per person. Add drippings from pork loin to mushrooms. Spoon mushrooms with gravy over meat and polenta. Stand a spring of rosemary in center spearing the meat. If you want a fragrant presentation, you can light the rosemary after if has been slightly dried in the microwave.
• Green Bean Bundles: Fresh long green beans about a dozen per person 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips same shape as green beans Strips bacon flattened and cut in half
• Make bundle with green beans and bell pepper and wrap with bacon. You can either tie bacon or use a toothpick. Place bundles in glass pie plate with another pie plate on top and microwave on high until beans are crisp tender and bacon done. Remove toothpicks and serve.

POLENTA CAKES

Steps:

• Bring water or broth to a boil and add cornmeal and salt. Reduce heat to low and stir for 5 mintues. Add 1/4 cup of cheese and stir until melted and well combined. Remove from heat, cover, and allow to cool for 30 minutes.
• Cut a piece of parchment paper to line a 9x13" baking pan, allowing for enough parchment paper to come up over the edge to make it easy to lift polenta cake once cooled. Refrigerate for at least two hours, or overnight.
• Gently remove polenta from baking pan and place on a cutting board. Cut into desired shapes using a sharp knife or bisucuit cutter.
• Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a non-stick saute pan. Working in batchs of 3-4 at a time, saute each cake for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
• Remove from pan using a slotted spatula and plate on a serving dish or single plate. Top with remaining cheese, rosemary, salt and papper.