POLENTA FRIES WITH BLUE CHEESE DIP

Polenta Fries with Blue Cheese Dip image

These fries are a great alternative to traditional ones made with potatoes. They bake up crispy and golden in the oven, too.-Rebekah Beyer, Sabetha, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Side Dishes

Time 45m

Yield 15 servings (1-3/4 cups dip).

Number Of Ingredients 14

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Ingredients

7 cups 2% milk
2 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2-1/4 cups yellow cornmeal
1 cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil
2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup canola oil

Steps:

In a Dutch oven, bring the milk, water, butter, salt and pepper 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., Stir in the Gouda cheese, basil and thyme. Spread into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Refrigerate for 1 hour., Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, blue cheese and cream cheese; chill until serving., Cut polenta into 3-1/4x1/2-in. strips. Place flour in a shallow bowl. Dip polenta in flour; shake off excess., In a large skillet, cook polenta in oil in batches for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Serve with dip.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 470 calories, Fat 36g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 34mg cholesterol, Sodium 403mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 10g protein.