Best Polenta Stacks With Ham Spinach And Cheese Recipes

CHEESY HAM, SPINACH AND POLENTA TORTE

Steps:

• Filling -- In a large sauce pan on medium high heat, add the olive oil, onion, garlic and saute a couple of minutes until tender. Add in the spinach, ham, pepper, salt (but go easy, ham is salty) and cook about 3-4 minutes until everything is well combined.
• Polenta -- In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the remaining cup to the corn meal and mix well. Then slowly add the corn meal mix into the boiling water and simmer over medium heat for 8-10 minutes stiring all the time until thick and creamy. Remove from the heat.
• Casserole -- Heat your oven to 400 and make sure you butter, not oil your casserole dish well. Now if you are using a spring form pan, line with aluminum foil and then butter the foil.
• Spread 1/3 of the polenta in the dish or pan and then cover with 1/2 of the spinach mixture. Top that with 1/2 of the parmesan and 1/3 of the mozzarella. Next layer -- 1/3 more polenta, then the remaining spinach, then the remaining parmesan and 1/3 more of the mozzarella. Finish off with the last 1/3 of the polenta and the rest of the mozzarella.
• Bake -- 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Make sure you let it rest for 10 minutes.
• If using a spring form, just remove the sides, but a casserole dish works just as well. This can be a side dish or easily a main dish.

SPINACH-AND-CHEESE PORK CHOPS WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and add the polenta in a single layer; brush both sides with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake until golden, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, season the pork chops on both sides with the rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches if needed, add the pork chops and cook until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a separate baking sheet.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Add the garlic and cook until just golden, 1 minute. Add the spinach and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until just wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Top the pork chops with the spinach and 1 cheese slice each; bake until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the broth to the skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Add the butter and stir until melted. Top the pork with the pan sauce and peppers; serve with the polenta.

6-MINUTE EGG ON CREAMY POLENTA WITH CRISPY SERRANO HAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven at 350 degrees F.
• On a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, arrange the slices of ham and cover with another piece of parchment paper and another baking tray on top. This technique will ensure the Serrano stays flat while it cooks. Bake in the oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until crispy. Remove from oven and set aside on paper towel.
• For the polenta: In a heavy saucepan, combine the stock and milk. Add the cilantro and garlic and bring to a boil. Let simmer on medium heat for 2 minutes to flavor the mixture. Remove the cilantro and garlic. Whisk in the cornmeal and cook over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring often with a wooden spoon until the grains are soft. Fold in the Asiago cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm and covered.
• For the egg: In a large saucepan, bring the water to a boil and drop in the eggs for 6 minutes. Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon, run under cold water to shock the eggs and reserve. Before serving, rattle them around to crack the shell and peel them.
• In the same saucepan containing boiling water, cook the kale for 1 minute. Drain and reserve in an ice bath. In a saucepan on medium heat melt the butter. Squeeze out the excess liquid from the kale with your hands, chop it in half. Saute the kale with lemon juice for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• For Serving: Place a large spoon of polenta on each plate. Top with the kale, a soft boiled egg and garnish with more grated Asiago cheese and 2 slices of Serrano ham. Serve immediately. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup water or stock, cover the dish, and reheat in the microwave or over low heat. Whisk well before serving. Grate a dusting of Parmesan or other favored cheese over the top just before serving.

PARMESAN POLENTA WITH HAM

Steps:

• Combine milk, 5 tablespoons butter, salt, pepper and nutmeg in heavy large saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat. Gradually whisked in cornmeal. Stir until mixture is very thick and beginning to pull away from sides of pan, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Mix in ham, 3/4 cup cheese and egg. Transfer polenta to 8 x 8 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Dot with 1 tablespoon butter. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons cheese. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover; refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Bake polenta uncovered until heated through and beginning to brown on top, about 30 minutes. Cut into squares and serve.

CHEESY POLENTA AND HAM GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Melt butter in small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until softened but not browned, stirring frequently.
• Add whipping cream and Parmesan cheese; mix well. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook 2 to 4 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
• Arrange polenta slices, overlapping and layering if necessary, in bottom of sprayed baking dish. Top with ham and Swiss cheese. Pour sauce over top.
• Bake at 425°F. for 20 to 25 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is lightly browned. Sprinkle with parsley.

PORTOBELLO POLENTA STACKS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. In a small saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic; cook and stir until tender, 1-2 minutes (do not allow to brown). Stir in vinegar; remove from heat., Place mushrooms in a 13x9-in. baking dish, gill side up. Brush with vinegar mixture; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with polenta and tomato slices; sprinkle with cheese., Bake, uncovered, until mushrooms are tender, 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle with basil.

CREAMY POLENTA WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, bring the chicken broth, oil, garlic and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low and whisk in the polenta. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, about 10 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan, mascarpone, pecorino and butter. Cook, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Fold in the spinach and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes longer. Add 1/4 cup water if the mixture gets too thick.
• Pour the polenta into a large bowl and serve with grated Parmesan over the top.