SAUTEED POLENTA WITH ROASTED TOMATOES

Sauteed Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

10 cups water
1 heaping tablespoon coarse salt
2 cups coarse-ground polenta meal
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Freshly ground pepper
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh tarragon
1 teaspoon light muscovado sugar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
9 ounces ripe cherry tomatoes, stems intact
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Balsamic vinegar, for drizzling
1/2 cup fresh ricotta
Fleur de sel, for serving

Steps:

For the polenta: Bring 6 cups water and the salt to a boil over high heat in a medium (6-quart) heavy-bottom pot. Bring remaining 4 cups water to a simmer over medium heat in a small saucepan.
Gradually add polenta to the large pot while whisking constantly. Switch to a wooden spoon once mixed in with no lumps. Cook until cornmeal has absorbed all of the water, about 3 minutes. Lower heat until only one or two large bubbles break the surface at a time (over medium-low or low, adjusting heat as necessary).
Stir 2 ladles of simmering water into polenta and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until water has been absorbed, about 5 minutes. Continue to add 2 ladles of water every 5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent polenta from scorching and waiting for it to be absorbed before adding more, until polenta is creamy and just pulls away from sides of pot, about 45 minutes. (It may be necessary to adjust heat.)
Stir in butter and season with pepper. Use a damp spoon or ladle to transfer polenta to a parchment-lined small rimmed baking sheet and chill until firm.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees for the tomatoes.
Make the tomatoes: In a shallow baking dish, combine garlic, tarragon, sugar, vinegar, and oil. Add tomatoes and toss to combine; season with salt and pepper. Transfer to oven and bake until soft, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
To finish: Invert chilled polenta onto work surface and remove parchment paper. Trim edges and cut polenta into 4 inch squares. Cut squares in half on the diagonal to form triangles. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium saute pan. Sear triangles on each side until light golden, about 2 minutes per side. Serve polenta with roasted tomatoes and fresh ricotta. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and sprinkle with fleur de sel.