Best Polenta Egg Cups Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN POLENTA CUPS

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Reduce heat to a gentle boil; slowly whisk in cornmeal. Cook and stir with a wooden spoon for 15-20 minutes or until polenta is thickened and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the pan. Remove from the heat; stir in thyme and pepper. , Spoon heaping tablespoonfuls into miniature muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Using the back of a spoon, make an indentation in the center of each. Cover and chill until set. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, feta cheese, basil and garlic. , Unmold polenta cups and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Top each with 1 heaping tablespoon of tomato mixture. Broil 4 in. from the heat for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.

POLENTA WITH FONTINA AND EGGS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the polenta slices dry with paper towels, add to the skillet and cook until golden, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
• Reduce the heat under the skillet to low. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil, the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until the garlic is golden, about 1 minute.
• Add the tomatoes and 1/2 cup water, bring to a simmer and cook 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Remove 1/4 cup of the sauce and set aside.
• Arrange the polenta rounds in the skillet with the sauce, then crack the eggs on top. Season with salt and pepper and top with the reserved sauce and the cheese. Transfer to the oven and bake until the egg whites are set, 13 to 15 minutes. Top with the parsley.

CHEESY BREAKFAST EGG AND POLENTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees with the rack in the center. Generously butter a 9-by-13-inch pan and set aside.
• Bring 4 cups water to a boil. Gradually whisk in the polenta and salt, and cook, stirring constantly until the polenta bubbles and pulls away from the pan, about 3 minutes. Vigorously stir in the milk, butter and cheese until smooth and creamy. (It will seem loose.)
• Spread the polenta onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Layer with meat, greens or anything else you desire. Use the back of a large spoon to create 8 small wells in the polenta. Crack the eggs inside, sprinkle with Parmesan, and bake 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how set you like your eggs. Let stand for 5 minutes; sprinkle with black pepper and basil and serve warm.

POLENTA WITH PARMESAN AND OLIVE OIL-FRIED EGGS

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring broth or water to a simmer. Stir in the polenta and salt. Simmer, stirring frequently, until thickened to taste, 10 to 20 minutes. Stir in butter and pepper; cover pot to keep warm.
• Using a vegetable peeler, slice cheese into slivers, or grate it on largest holes of a box grater.
• In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil until very hot. Fry 4 eggs until edges are crispy and yolks still runny. Repeat with remaining oil and eggs.
• Pile polenta into 4 bowls and top with cheese and then fried eggs. Garnish with sea salt and more pepper and serve.

CHORIZO EGG CUPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Butter a nonstick regular size muffin tin with 12 muffin cups or 2 (6-muffin) cups.
• For the polenta:
• In a medium-sized stock pot over medium heat, bring the milk and stock to a bubble.
• While the liquids are heating up place a small skillet over medium-high heat with 1 turn of the pan of olive oil, about 1 tablespoon. Add the chorizo and cook until crispy 2 to 3 minutes.
• Once the liquids come up to a bubble slowly whisk in the polenta and continue whisking until it begins to thicken and resemble hot oatmeal about 3 to 4 minutes. Turn off the heat and add in the cheese, chopped parsley, 2 tablespoons butter and crispy chorizo. Pour the polenta into the muffin tins, 1/2 of the way up the muffin cup.
• Once all the cups are filled, form a well with the back of a spoon by pushing the polenta up the side until it reaches the top rim of the muffin tin. The well will be relatively large but that's ok, you want the egg to have a little nesting place so it won't overflow out of the tin. Once you have made all the wells, crack an egg into each of the polenta filled cups. Season the tops of the eggs with some salt and pepper. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20 minutes; yolk will still be a little runny. Once done, remove from the oven and let sit. Run a small butter knife around the edges of the polenta to loosen from the sides of the muffin tin. Gently help them out of the muffin tins with a fork or a knife and serve plated or on a platter.