Best Pumpkin Polenta Recipes

CREAMY PUMPKIN POLENTA

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil., Reduce heat to a gentle boil; slowly whisk in cornmeal and nutmeg. 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. Stir in pumpkin and cream cheese until smooth. Sprinkle each serving with pumpkin seeds if desired.

PUMPKIN POLENTA WITH VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Toss the Brussels sprouts and butternut squash with the olive oil on a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt and pepper. Spread in an even layer. Bake until tender and browned, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring 4 cups water, the milk and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in the polenta. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cook, stirring often, until creamy, about 6 minutes. Whisk in the pumpkin puree. Cook, whisking, until warmed through, about 4 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the grated parmesan, butter and sage; season with salt. Top each serving with the roasted vegetables and shaved parmesan; drizzle with olive oil.

BBQ SPICED CHICKEN, SALSA SALAD AND PUMPKIN-CHIPOTLE POLENTA

Steps:

• Heat grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Mix spices and sugar in a large plastic food storage bag. Coat chicken with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil and add to bag. Coat the chicken evenly in the spices and sugar. Let the chicken hang out a few minutes.
• Chop and combine the tomatoes, bell pepper, onions and grilled pineapple spears.
• Place chicken on grill and cook 6 to 7 minutes on each side.
• Dress the salad with lime and a couple tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil. Season the salad with cilantro, salt and pepper.
• Heat the stock and milk or half-and-half in a sauce pot with chipotle and adobo sauce. Whisk in the polenta and thicken 2-3 minutes, stir in pumpkin to warm through. Stir in butter and honey and season with salt and pepper.
• Serve polenta with chicken and salsa salad.

CREAMY OVEN-BAKED POLENTA WITH PUMPKIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
• Combine water, milk, cornmeal, and salt in the prepared baking dish; mix well. It's normal for the mixture to separate a bit.
• Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven for 40 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and stir in pumpkin, Jarlsberg, 1/2 of the Parmigiano-Reggiano, sour cream, nutmeg, pepper, and salt. Return to the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and top with remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano. Turn on the broiler.
• Broil until top is brown and bubbly, about 3 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

CREAMY PUMPKIN POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring water or stock and salt to boil. Reduce heat to a simmer.
• Stir in pumpkin.
• SLOWLY pour in corn meal while continuously stirring.
• An easy way of doing this is to pick up handfuls of cornmeal and let it run through your fingers in a very SLOW stream. NEVER STOP STIRRING.
• If mixture gets too thick and impossible to stir, add more boiling liquid.
• Once cornmeal has been added, stir in the small pieces of cream cheese (a little at a time) until cheese is completely melted and incorporated into the mixture.
• Continue cooking and stirring for about twenty minutes.
• If you don't cook the polenta long enough, you won't achieve the proper creamy consistency.
• Continue to add additional liquid as necessary.
• The proper consistency should be that of a thick Cream Of Wheat Cereal.
• Your spoon should be able to stand straight up when stuck in the middle and the mixture should pull away from the sides of the pot.
• Serve with pat of butter and enjoy!

EASY OVEN-BAKED PUMPKIN POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Generously coat a 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
• Combine water, salt and cornmeal in dish, mixing well (the mixture will separate). Bake, uncovered, 40 minutes. Remove from oven; stir in pumpkin, sour cream, pepper, nutmeg and half the cheeses. Bake 10 minutes.
• Remove from oven, top with remaining cheese, and place under the broiler for a few minutes, until top is brown and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

HEARTY PUMPKIN CHILI WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook the first five ingredients over medium heat 8-10 minutes or until beef is no longer pink and vegetables are tender, breaking up beef into crumbles; drain., Stir in tomato sauce, tomatoes, pumpkin, 1 tablespoon sugar, chili powder, pie spice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 45 minutes, stirring occasionally., Meanwhile, in a large heavy saucepan, bring milk, cream, butter, and remaining sugar and salt to a boil. Reduce heat to a gentle boil; slowly whisk in cornmeal. Cook and stir with a wooden spoon 2-3 minutes or until polenta is thickened and pulls away cleanly from sides of pan (mixture will be very thick)., Pour into a greased 9-in. square baking pan. Let stand until firm, about 30 minutes., Stir beans into chili; heat through. Cut polenta into six pieces. Serve with chili.

SAGE AND BALSAMIC PORK CHOPS WITH CREAMY PUMPKIN POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Preheat a large, oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat with 2 tablespoons of the EVOO (twice around the pan). In a shallow dish, combine the balsamic, sage, parsley, garlic, the remaining 1 tablespoon of EVOO, salt, and pepper. Coat the pork chops and then place them in the skillet and sear the meat on both sides to caramelize, about 2 minutes on each side. Transfer the skillet to the oven to finish off, about 8 minutes, or until the meat is firm to the touch but not tough.
• While the chops are cooking, in a sauce pot combine the chicken stock, milk, and pumpkin and season with the nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Place over high heat and bring up to a simmer. Whisk in the polenta and stir until it begins to mass together. Add the grated cheese and butter, stirring to combine. Keep in mind that polenta is very forgiving. If it becomes too thick, not smooth and creamy, you can always add more warm chicken stock or milk.
• Serve the polenta alongside the sage and balsamic pork chops with steamed vegetables. Garnish the polenta with a little extra grated or shaved cheese.

MAPLE-GLAZED PORK CHOPS WITH PUMPKIN POLENTA

Steps:

• For the polenta: Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the sage to the oil and cook until the sage is slightly crisped, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and set aside. Meanwhile, put the broth and milk in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Slowly whisk in the polenta, reduce the heat to low, and cook, whisking occasionally, until the polenta is thick and creamy, about 15 minutes. Pull the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the pumpkin, sage with the oil, cheese, salt, and pepper. Hold in a warm place.
• For the pork chops: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dry the pork chops well and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the oil to the pan and heat until shimmering. Lay the chops in the pan and cook until lightly browned on the first side, about 4 minutes. Turn the chops and cook until the second side is browned and the chops are cooked through, about 3 minutes more. Transfer the chops to a platter.
• Pour off the excess oil from the pan. Add the vinegar, and return the pan to the heat and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits that cling to the pan. Stir in the mustard, maple syrup, and chicken broth, along with any juices from the pork chops. Cook over high heat until the mixture is syrupy, about 5 minutes. Season to taste.
• Serve the pork chops with the pumpkin polenta and drizzle with the sauce.

ROASTED MUSHROOMS WITH PUMPKIN-CHIPOTLE POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the mushrooms with the extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, sage, salt, and pepper, and roast 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the pumpkin puree in a small pot over medium heat with a little chicken stock to thin it out. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Bring the remaining stock to a boil in a saucepot and whisk in the chipotle in adobo, its sauce, and polenta. Keep whisking the polenta until it pulls away from the sides of the pot, then stir in the butter and honey. Combine the pumpkin and polenta and serve in shallow bowls. Top with roasted mushrooms and garnish with pepitas and chives.

PUMPKIN POLENTA CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish.
• In a blender or food processor, blend pumpkin, butter, eggs, and egg whites. Mix in the brown sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Blend until smooth, and transfer to a medium bowl.
• Mix yogurt and polenta into the pumpkin mixture. Pour into the prepared baking dish.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool slightly before slicing.

PUMPKIN POLENTA WITH CHORIZO AND BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Heat a medium nonstick skillet over med-high heat; add in olive oil and chorizo; cook for a minute or two, then add in the onions; cook 3-4 minutes.
• Add in the black beans and red peppers; heat through for another minute or two.
• In a big saucepan, bring the chicken stock and butter to a boil; stir in the pumpkin.
• Add the polenta and stir until it masses (about 2 minutes).
• Remove pan from heat; add in thyme, salt, pepper, and cheese; stir to combine and adjust seasoning to taste.
• Pour or spoon the polenta onto plates; top with chorizo and beans; garnish with parsley.

PUMPKIN GRATIN POLENTA WITH SPINACH MUSHROOMS AND FETA

Steps:

• Bake the butternut pumpkin. If you're doing this ahead of time, just cut it into a few pieces, scoop out the seeds, and place on a baking tray and bake at moderate heat for an hour or so until soft, then remove the flesh from the skin. If you're in a hurry, skin and seed the pumpkin then cut into smallish cubes. Toss with a bit of olive oil, then bake at 350F for about 20-30 minutes until soft. Puree it with a potato masher or implement of choice.
• Stir the polenta into the cold water in an ample pot, add the vegetable stock, and bring it to a simmer, stirring constantly. Continue stirring until the polenta is thick and tender, about half an hour. Remove from the heat, then stir in the pureed pumpkin and the butter, and add a little salt and pepper. Remember that you will be layering it with salty feta, so use a light hand. Pour the polenta onto a large baking sheet and smooth it into a 1/2 inch layer. Allow it to stiffen (30 minutes or more), then cut into rectangles about 2x3 inches in size.
• Meanwhile, peel, halve and slice the red onions. Warm the oil in a large non-stick pan over a low-moderate heat. Add the onions and a dash of salt, and cover. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring now and then, then remove the lid and cook another 15 minutes or more. When the onions are very soft, add the balsamic vinegar to taste and cook another 5 minutes, then remove from the heat and set aside.
• Wipe and slice the mushrooms. Heat the butter or oil and cook the mushrooms until they're a lovely dark brown. Season with Salt and pepper and set aside.
• Remove tough stems from the spinach and wash the leaves well, then chop roughly. In a large saucepan, heat a bit of oil and add the peeled and chopped garlic. Saute for a minute or two, then add the spinach. Put the lid on the pan, and cook for several minutes, turning the leaves with tongs every couple of minutes to stop them sticking. When the leaves are wilted and tender, remove them from the heat and tip them out into a large colander to drain any liquid.
• In a bowl, mix together the spinach, mushrooms, onions and most of the crumbled feta. Lightly oil a large gratin or lasagne dish. Spoon a little of the vegetable mixture into one end of the dish, then start overlapping layers of the polenta slices with layers of the vegetable mixture, leaving some of the filling showing between layers of polenta. You'll have to judge how upright to layer the slices based on the size of your dish. Once you have used up all the filling and polenta, sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top. Bake at 350F for about 30 minutes. It should be bubbling hot, and the cheese on top will be golden brown in spots. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then serve.

WARM PUMPKIN SALAD WITH POLENTA AND CANDIED PUMPKIN SEEDS

Steps:

• Prepare polenta:
• Bring cornmeal, water, and 2 1/4 teaspoons salt to a boil in a 4-quart heavy saucepan, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until polenta is creamy and tender, about 50 minutes. Remove from heat, then stir in 11/2 tablespoons butter and cool slightly.
• Spoon polenta onto center of a lightly buttered large baking sheet, then spread evenly into a 10- by 7-inch rectangle (about 1/2 inch thick). Cover with plastic wrap, then poke several holes in wrap with a small sharp knife and chill 2 hours.
• Candy pumpkin seeds:
• Melt remaining tablespoon butter in a heavy saucepan over moderate heat. Stir in sugar, cumin, cinnamon, paprika, cayenne, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, then cook, without stirring, until caramelized. Add pumpkin seeds and cook, stirring occasionally, until seeds are puffed and golden. Transfer to a plate to cool. When seeds have hardened, break up any clumps with your fingers.
• Make vinaigrette:
• Whisk together pomegranate juice, vinegar, and shallot and let stand 5 minutes. Whisk in 3 tablespoons oil, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste.
• Roast pumpkin:
• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Cut pumpkin quarters crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Toss with 1 tablespoon oil and salt and pepper to taste in a shallow baking pan and arrange slices in 1 layer. Roast in middle of oven until just tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven, then cover with foil to keep warm.
• Fry polenta while pumpkin roasts:
• Trim polenta into a 9- by 6-inch rectangle. Cut polenta into 6 (3-inch) squares, then halve each square diagonally. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet until hot but not smoking, then cook polenta in 2 batches, turning once, until golden brown, about 8 minutes (if necessary, use remaining tablespoon oil for second batch). Transfer as cooked to a plate and keep warm, covered.
• Assemble salad:
• Shave 12 strips from cheese with a vegetable peeler.
• Whisk vinaigrette, then toss arugula in a large bowl with enough vinaigrette to lightly coat. Place several pieces of pumpkin and 1 piece of polenta on each of 6 plates. Top with arugula, more pumpkin, and remaining polenta. Sprinkle with candied pumpkin seeds and top with parmesan shavings, then drizzle with remaining vinaigrette.

PUMPKIN AND SAGE POLENTA

Steps:

• 1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, bring the stock, salt, pepper, nutmeg and sage to a boil. Add the polenta in a slow, gentle stream, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to a very gentle simmer and continue whisking until polenta begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. 2. Using a wooden spoon, cook and stir the polenta from time to time until it is soft and creamy, about 20 minutes. If the polenta becomes too stiff, add a small amount of water. Add the pumpkin puree, cheese, and butter and stir to blend and melt the cheese and butter. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

PUMPKIN POLENTA CAKE

Steps:

• Adjust rack to lower third of oven; preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch angel food tube pan. For best results, have all ingredients at room temperature.
• Sift together the flour, spices, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside. Using an electric mixer, preferably with a paddle attachment, beat the butter at medium speed until creamy and smooth. Add the brown and granulated sugars; beat until light. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Reduce mixer speed to low; add the pumpkin puree and polenta. Add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture alternately with the milk, ending with the dry ingredients, and stir just until well blended. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly.
• Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out free of raw batter. Remove the pan from the oven and place on a wire rack. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Invert the cake onto the wire rack; remove the cake pan. Let the cake cool completely before slicing.

PUMPKIN POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Put the pumpkin in water in a roasting pan on the lower rack of the oven. Bake until very well done and tender, about one hour. Remove and cool slightly. Scoop the meat of the pumpkin into a food processor, add one-quarter cup of the milk and puree until smooth. Keep warm.
• In a large saucepan, combine the remaining milk, the stock, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until the polenta is thick enough to allow the spoon to stand up in it, about 15 minutes. Add the pumpkin puree and butter. Adjust the salt and pepper.
• Pour the mixture into a parchment-lined 16-by-12-by-1-inch sheet pan. Smooth and level the surface, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about four hours.
• Remove the plastic wrap, and with a knife or cookie cutter, cut the polenta into triangles, rectangles or diamonds. Invert the pan to unload. Refrigerate until ready to cook, covering with plastic wrap if it is for more than an hour.
• In a nonstick skillet, heat just enough butter to cover the bottom of the pan over high heat. Carefully add the polenta and sear about two minutes on each side and drain on a paper towel. Serve at once.

PUMPKIN POLENTA WITH CHORIZO

Steps:

• Heat a medium nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and chorizo. Cook 1-2 minutes, then add onion and cook for another 3-4 minutes. In a large saucepan, bring chicken stock and butter to a boil and stir in the pumpkin. Return to a boil, whisk in the polenta and stir until it masses together, about 2 minutes (watch for splatters). Remove the polenta from the heat and add the thyme, salt, pepper and cheese. Adjust the seasoning. Pile the polenta on plates and top with the chorizo and beans. Garnish with parsley and serve.

PUMPKIN POLENTA CAKE

Steps:

• DIRECTIONS:
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish. In a blender or food processor, blend pumpkin, oil, and eggs. Mix in the sweetener, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice (optional cocoa powder). Blend until smooth, and transfer to a medium bowl. Mix yogurt (milk) and polenta into the pumpkin mixture. Pour into the prepared baking dish.
• Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool slightly before slicing.

PUMPKIN POLENTA WITH PARMESAN

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Salute sage, shallot, garlic, salt and pepper for 2 minuted. Add both, cover and bring to rolling simmer. Whisk in cornmeal gradually. Cook stirring with a wooden spoon for 10 to 12 minutes or until thick enough to leave a trail bottom of pan. Stir in pumpkin. Cook, stirring for 2 minutes or until heated through. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese and remaining butter. Serve immediately with additional cheese (if desired).