Fried Garbanzo Polenta Panelle Recipes

Steps:

• Pour 4 cups water, the salt, and the olive oil into the saucepan, and gradually whisk in the chickpea flour until smooth. Set over medium heat, and whisk constantly as the batter slowly heats. It will thicken and eventually steam but does not need to boil. Cook and keep whisking, scraping the bottom and sides of the pan frequently, until the mixture is quite stiff and starts to pull away from the sides as you stir it, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Turn the batter into the oiled pan, and spread it quickly with the spatula, before it cools and sets, so it fills the pan in an even layer. Wet the spatula with water, and smooth the top of the batter. Let cool for an hour or longer, until completely firm.
• Cut pieces with a sharp knife, in whatever size or shape you like and in the amount you need. I cut 1 1/2-inch squares for appetizers and Sicilian-style sandwiches; 2-by-3-inch bars-at least two per person-to accompany a main course. Lift the cut pieces from the pan with a spatula (seal the remainder with plastic wrap and refrigerate for longer keeping).
• To fry the panelle, pour enough extra-virgin olive oil into the heavy skillet to cover the bottom with 1/8 inch of oil, and set over medium heat. When the oil is hot, lay in the panelle, leaving plenty of space between them. Fry about 3 minutes, until the underside is crisp and golden, then flip them over and brown the second side, about 2 minutes more. Set the panelle on paper towels to drain and cool for a minute, but serve while they are still warm (though they taste good at room temperature too!).

Steps:

• Place chickpea flour and some salt in a large saucepan over low heat. Pour in water, a little at a time, while whisking to prevent lumps.
• Once mixture is smooth and creamy, increase to medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring continuously, until the mix starts separating from the sides of the pan.
• Add parsley and a bit of pepper. Adjust salt if needed.
• Pour chickpea mixture onto a greased baking sheet. Spread evenly to form a 1 1/2 inch thick layer. Refrigerate until mixture has hardened, at least 30 minutes.
• Slice chickpea mixture into 1 1/2- x 2-inch rectangles.
• Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot until 250 degrees F (120 degrees F). Drop a few rectangles at a time into the hot oil and deep fry until crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

Steps:

• Lightly oil an 11 by 7-inch baking dish. Transfer the hot polenta to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to 3/4-inch thick. Refrigerate until cold and firm, about 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• Cut the polenta into 2 by 1-inch pieces. Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry the polenta pieces until golden brown on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Using tongs, transfer the polenta pieces to paper towels and drain. Place the polenta pieces on a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while cooking the remaining batches.
• Transfer the polenta pieces to a serving platter. Sprinkle the polenta with the Parmesan cheese and salt. Serve, passing the marinara sauce alongside.
• 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.

Steps:

• Grease an 8-by-8 baking dish or a quarter sheet pan with some oil. Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan. Put the chickpea flour in a large bowl. When the water comes to a boil, gradually add it to the bowl with the chickpea flour, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Scrape the mixture into the saucepan you used to boil the water, sprinkle with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce to a gentle simmer, stir in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and cook for just a minute.
• Scoop the chickpea mixture onto the sheet pan and spread it into an even layer. Let it cool, and cover loosely with parchment or plastic. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours.
• Put at least 1/4 inch oil in a large skillet over medium heat; heat to 250. Cut the chickpea mixture into French fries, about 3 inches long; blot any excess moisture with a paper towel. Working in batches, gently drop them into the hot oil. Cook, rotating them occasionally until they're golden all over, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain fries on paper towels and immediately sprinkle with salt and lots of pepper. Serve hot, with lemon wedges.

Steps:

• Cook potatoes in pot of boiling salted water until tender. Drain; refrigerate until cold,about 30 minutes.
• Peel potatoes; grate coarsely into large bowl. Mix in leek and cilantro.
• Blend garbanzo beans, garlic, cumin, salt, pepper and baking powder in processor until almost smooth. Stir into potato mixture. Mix in 3 tablespoons flour. Using floured hands, shape 2 rounded tablespoons mixture into ball; flatten into 1/2-inch -thick disk, about 2 inches in diameter. Place on lightly floured baking sheet. Repeat with remaining mixture, forming about 24 fritters. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Sprinkle lightly with flour. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Pour enough oil into 2 heavy large skillets to reach depth of 1/4 inch. Heat over medium heat until sprinkle of water sizzles in oil. Coat each fritter with flour. Fry fritters until brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels; drain.
• Overlap 3 fritters on each plate. Spoon Red Bell Pepper Harissa alongside.