Best Creamy Polenta With Bacon And Sage Recipes

CREAMY POLENTA WITH BACON AND CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• For the polenta: Bring the broth, 2 1/2 cups water and the salt to a boil in a heavy 5-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Gradually whisk in the polenta. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring often, until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the Parmesan, milk and butter. Stir until the butter and Parmesan have melted. Season with salt and pepper.
• For assembly: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange the bacon in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until brown and crispy, 15 to 17 minutes. Drain on paper towels. When the bacon is cool enough to handle, chop into 1/2-inch pieces. Set aside.
• Whisk together the mascarpone cheese, maple syrup and salt in a small bowl until smooth.
• Transfer the polenta to 4 bowls or serving plates. Divide the bacon pieces and spoon on top. Dollop each serving with the mascarpone mixture and sprinkle with the dried cranberries.

CREAMY POLENTA WITH CRISPY BACON AND CHARD

Steps:

• Add the milk and heavy cream to a medium saucepan and bring to a low boil, stirring constantly so the milk doesn't scorch. Whisk in the polenta, whisking constantly until smooth. Stir in a big pinch of salt. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook, stirring frequently, until the polenta is tender, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the bacon to a medium pan. Turn the heat to medium high and cook, flipping once, until the bacon is crispy, about 10 minutes. Remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Add the shallot to the pan and cook until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the chard and a big pinch of salt and cook until wilted but still crisp-tender, about 7 minutes. Stir in a shake of hot sauce if desired. Chop the bacon, add it to the greens and stir to combine. Remove from the heat.
• Add a big pinch of black pepper to the polenta and stir. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper. Remove the polenta from the heat and stir in the butter. Transfer to a serving plate and top with the greens in the center.

BAKED POLENTA FRIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Unwrap and cut each tube of polenta in half crosswise. Then cut each half lengthwise into 8 wedges.
• Drizzle olive oil on a large rimmed baking sheet. Place polenta wedges on baking sheet; season with salt and pepper, and turn gently to coat with oil. Arrange wedges in a single layer.
• Bake, turning once with a thin metal spatula, until golden and crisp, 45 to 50 minutes. Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate. Transfer to a shallow dish, and toss with Italian seasoning before serving.

CREAMY POLENTA WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• For the polenta, bring 4 1/2 cups water and the milk to a high simmer in a medium-size heavy saucepan set over medium-high heat. Add salt. Pour the cornmeal slowly into the liquid, stirring with a wire whisk to prevent clumping. Continue stirring as the mixture thickens, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Turn heat to low. Cook for approximately 40 to 45 minutes, stirring every 5 to 10 minutes. If the polenta becomes quite thick, thin it with 1/2 cup water, stir well and continue cooking. Add up to 1 cup more water as necessary, to keep the polenta soft enough to stir.
• Add the butter to pot, and stir well. Add the Parmesan, if using. Taste for seasoning. Set the covered saucepan in a pot of barely simmering water, and keep warm for up to an hour or so.
• Meanwhile, put the dried mushrooms in a small bowl, and cover with about 1/2 cup boiling water. Allow to steep for 20 minutes. Remove the mushrooms, and pat dry, then chop roughly. Reserve the mushroom stock.
• Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a sauté pan set over high heat until it has melted. Add the garlic and cook until it starts to sizzle, about 30 seconds. Do not let the garlic brown.
• Add the fresh and reconstituted mushrooms and thyme to the pan, and sauté 3 to 4 minutes, turning until browned. Add about 1/4 cup of the mushroom stock to deglaze the surface, using a wooden spoon to scrape at the browned bits. Allow the stock to reduce by half, then turn the heat to medium-low and add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter, whisking to combine, followed by the soy sauce, cream and olive oil. Allow mixture to cook until it thickens a little, then remove from heat. Taste for seasoning, adding black pepper, if desired.
• Put the polenta in a warmed bowl, then top with mushrooms and the sauce. Serve immediately.

BAKED POLENTA WITH ONIONS AND BACON

Steps:

• In a 2- to 3-quart microwave-safe casserole with a lid microwave the bacon, uncovered, at high power (100%), stirring after each minute, for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes, or until it is almost crisp. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the casserole and stir in the onions. Microwave the mixture, uncovered, at high power, stirring every 2 minutes, for 8 minutes, or until the onions are softened but not browned, and transfer the onion mixture to a bowl.
• To the casserole add the water, the broth, and the sage, whisk in the cornmeal, a little at a time, whisking until the mixture is smooth, and microwave the mixture, covered, at high power, whisking after 3 minutes, for 5 minutes, or until it is thickened and the liquid is absorbed. Stir in the butter, 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan, half the onion mixture, and salt and pepper to taste and divide the polenta mixture between two 1 1/2-cup gratin dishes or spread it in a 3-cup gratin dish.
• Top the polenta with the remaining onion mixture, spreading the onion mixture evenly, sprinkle it with the remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan, and bake it in the middle of a preheated 400°F. oven for 15 minutes, or until the Parmesan is melted.