Fried Polenta Cubes

I buy my polenta from Anson Mills, who just makes some of the loveliest corn products ever. Because their products tend to be heartier than the stuff I can get at the store, I follow their directions for how to make the polenta, grits, etc. So the first part (the basic "make the polenta" part of this recipe is basically theirs - if you buy a different brand, make it the way you're used to). Enjoy!

1 cup polenta
4 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3 tablespoons finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 teaspoons finely grated colby-jack cheese

"Brush or spray an 8-inch square baking dish with oil and set aside. Place the polenta and water in a heavy-bottomed 2 1/2-quart saucepan (preferably one with fluted sides), and stir to combine. Set the pan over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the first starch takes hold, 5 to 8 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, until the grains are soft and hold their shape on a spoon, about an hour. Whisk in salt, pepper, butter, and Parmesan. Turn the polenta into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with a greased offset spatula or a spoon. Cover and refrigerate until completely cold." Or, just make your polenta however you normally make your polenta.

Once it's completely cold, cut it into 16 squares. Heat a cast iron pan for 10 minutes over medium heat. Add in the olive oil and your polenta squares. Cook 4 minutes, then turn. Cook another 4 minutes. Turn again, sprinkle each piece with half a teaspoon of cheese, then cover and cook another 2 minutes. Serves 4 as a side dish, or 2 as a main course.

Comments

  1. Mary Bergfeld10:39 PM

    This looks really good. Cheese adds a lot to polenta. I love your photo.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kano6:19 AM

    Hi Allie

    Thanks for the recipe. Polenta is one of the things I never attempted for some reason. I think I will soon.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Allie5:50 PM

    Mary,

    I love cheese on polenta. It's like the perfect combination, don't you think?

    Kano,

    Polenta is awesome. I don't like it as much in soft, "hot cereal" form, but I love it in cubes, fried or broiled. It's a great snack food.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Allie7:33 PM

    Chile,

    Thanks for the idea - I'll try it w/ maple sometime soon!

    ReplyDelete

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