Best Polenta With Bacon And Sage Recipes

Creamy Polenta with Bacon and Sage image

Yield serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 ounces thickly sliced bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage leaves, plus more whole leaves for garnish
4 cups milk
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons quick-cooking polenta
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, or more to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, or more to taste
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (optional)

Steps:

Place a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the bacon, and cook until crisp and golden, about 8 minutes. Remove the bacon from the saucepan; transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Set aside.
Add the chopped sage to the saucepan, and cook in the bacon fat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the milk, and bring to a boil.
Add the polenta in a steady stream, whisking constantly until it is smooth and creamy, about 6 minutes. Whisk in the butter, and season with the salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl, and crumble the reserved bacon on top. Heat the olive oil in a small sauté pan over medium heat. Add the whole sage leaves, and fry until crisp, about 30 seconds. Remove from the skillet; scatter over the polenta. Serve immediately.

Baked Polenta with Onions and Bacon image

Yield Serves 2

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 slices of lean bacon, chopped
2 onions, sliced thin
1 cup water
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon crumbled dried sage
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan

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.