Bruschetta Polenta Recipes

Steps:

• Bring the stock to the boil in a saucepan, then reduce to a simmer. Stirring continuously, pour in the polenta in a steady steam and cook for 5 mins until thickened. Stir in the basil and season with black pepper and salt, if you like. Spread on an oiled shallow tin measuring 24 x 18cm. Leave to set for 1 hr.
• Cut the polenta into 9 rectangles, each 8 x 6cm, then cut in half diagonally to make triangle shapes. Heat a griddle until hot, brush each triangle with oil and grill for 4-5 mins each side, until crisp and golden.
• Top each triangle with 1⁄2 tsp tapenade and half a tomato. Serve warm on salad leaves.

Steps:

• In a small skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and stir, lightly frying for about a minute, removing before the garlic gets too brown (it can be golden). Pour the garlic and oil into a mixing bowl and allow to cool slightly.
• Add the red and yellow tomatoes, balsamic and basil to the bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine, and then taste and add more basil if needed, and more salt if needed (don't over salt, though!) Cover and refrigerate for an hour or two if you have the time.
• Cut the baguette into diagonal slices to allow for the most surface area possible. Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet and grill half the bread on both sides, making sure they're nice and buttery. Cook until golden brown on both sides. Repeat with the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and the other half of the bread.
• To serve, give the tomato mixture a final stir, and then spoon generously over the slices of bread. Serve on a big platter as a first course or appetizer.

Steps:

• Coat a 9-inch square baking pan with non-stick spray; set aside.
• MAKE THE POLENTA:.
• Combine water and salt in a saucepan over high heat.
• Slowly whisk in cornmeal, reduce heat to low, and simmer whisking constantly, until polenta is thick and smooth, 10 minutes.(My grandmother taught me to do it with a wooden spoon!).
• Remove polenta from heat; add Parmesan, cream, butter, and 1/2 tsp (or more) Tabasco, whisking until butter melts. (Toppings stay on the polenta better if it's smoothed a bit before chilling - use an offset spatula or a spoon.).
• Spread polenta in the prepared pan, cover with plastic wrap and chill 2 hours or overnight.
• Preheat a grill pan over high heat or preheat broiler to low.
• Turn chilled polenta out of pan; cut into 16 squares and brush with olive oil.
• Place polenta squares in grill pan and grill for 8-10 minutes or place polenta squares on broiler pan and broil until lightly browned.(When char marks are visible on the polenta edges, use a sturdy spatual to release it from the grill pan.).
• Cut squares into triangles.
• MAKE THE CRAB SALAD:.
• Combine tomatoes, scallions, maynnaise, sour cream, lime juice and the remaining Tabasco for the salad in a bowl until blended.
• Gently stir in crabmeat with a fork to coat with dressing.
• To serve, top each polenta triangle with 1 teaspoon crab salad.

Steps:

• Carefully unwrap polenta so as not to crumble it and slice the log into 12 even rounds.
• Add 2 tbs olive oil to a sauté pan and fry the polenta rounds until crisp. Flip the rounds and continue crisping the other side.
• Meanwhile, slice the tomatoes into 12 thick slices and drizzle them with the balsamic vinegar.
• Remove the polenta slices from the pan and put them onto a cookie sheet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Top each slice with a tomato, salt and pepper to taste, and bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.
• Once thoroughly heated, top the polenta stacks with a basil leaf and a slice of brie. Return to the oven for 5 minutes or until brie melts. Serve immediately.
• Makes 12 appetizers or 4 - 6 light entrees.