ROASTED VEGETABLE AND POLENTA SALAD

Roasted Vegetable and Polenta Salad image

Prepared polenta is an incredibly versatile and shelf-stable ingredient that is surprisingly low in calories and often gluten-free (make sure you check the label!). Rather than slice it, in this recipe I cut in into chunks like a traditional crouton and crisped it up in some sage-infused olive oil to add an interesting and hearty twist to a big salad.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 small head broccoli, florets and stems chopped
1 small red onion, cut into 3/4-inch wedges
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 18-ounce tube prepared polenta
12 large sage leaves
1 5-ounce package mixed baby salad greens
2 ounces goat cheese

Steps:

Place a rimmed baking sheet in the middle of the oven and preheat to 450˚ F. Combine the sweet potatoes, broccoli, red onion and tomatoes in a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of pepper; toss well. Spread out on the hot pan and roast, stirring once or twice, until the vegetables are browned, 25 to 30 minutes. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon vinegar, scraping up any stuck bits from the bottom of the pan.
Meanwhile, cut the polenta into 1 1/2-inch pieces (about 24). Heat 2 more tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sage leaves and cook until crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel to drain. Add the polenta pieces to the remaining oil in the skillet; season with salt and pepper. Cook, turning occasionally, until the polenta pieces release easily from the pan and are golden and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes.
Toss the salad greens with the remaining 1 tablespoon each olive oil and vinegar and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Divide among shallow bowls. Top evenly with the warm roasted vegetables and polenta along with any extra olive oil from the skillet. Break the goat cheese into bits and sprinkle over the salad. Tear the fried sage and sprinkle on top.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 390, Fat 21 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Cholesterol 7 milligrams, Sodium 1000 milligrams, Carbohydrate 42 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 9 grams, Sugar 9 grams