basics365: Pre-Cooked Polenta – Fast and Easy

February 2, 20141 Comment

Slice It Up!

For a long time I didn’t think much of the pre-cooked polenta rolls sold in the grocery store.  Sometimes they are also easy to miss (and therefore forget about) since they are usually displayed on lower shelves near the grains.  For starters, they don’t look all that appetizing; they are sold in a plastic roll.  Then there is my association of polenta with a dish that is like a creamy, smooth porridge topped with savory ingredients.  On the recommendation of friend who is a great cook, though, I discovered a product that has become one of my weeknight side-dish staples.  It can be sliced and heated with toppings, or used as a component in casseroles or lasagna-style dishes.  It is a blank canvas of sorts – a healthy, delicious one at that – that can make it easier for you to get dinner on the table.  Kimberly

More Reasons to Love Pre-Cooked Polenta

• Use this polenta for any meal or snack throughout the day:
  • As an appetizer:  The slices can be used the same way you would a slice of bread.  Top with cheese, roasted eggplant, and a simple marinara for an elegant appetizer.
  • For breakfast: Heat in some butter until the slices are crispy on both sides, then drizzle with syrup. Or for a savory alternative, top with cheese and a fried egg.
  • Serve as a snack: Top slices with sauce, cheese, or any other toppings for a mini-pizza.  Or use the slices instead of bread for a small, yummy grilled cheese.
  • As a simple side dish:  Top slices with a cheese like cheddar or smoked Gouda, then broil until the cheese melts and browns.  Serve with a protein and a vegetable for a well-rounded meal.  (You can roast the vegetables, and then turn the heat up to broil on the oven to finish off the polenta in just a few minutes.)
  • Main Dish ideas: use as a layer in casseroles (see recipe below).
• You can heat up the slices by pan-frying them in a little olive oil (4-5 minutes per side), microwaving for just a few minutes, or cooking in the oven (350°F for 15-20 minutes).  There are usually heating suggestions on the packaging.
• This is a gluten-free product.  So, if you are following a gluten-free diet, or need some ideas of what to serve friends following one, then this is a great staple to build a meal around.
• Other topping ideas to use on sliced polenta rounds include: a meaty tomato sauce; olive tapenade; sautéed mushrooms; sautéed greens; or roasted vegetables.

Recipe: Tamale Pie
Although the easiest thing to do with pre-cooked polenta is slice it, heat it, and serve with your favorite toppings, it also saves time when assembling casseroles or lasagna-type dishes.  This easy recipe is one we’ve tried from Epicurious, using the pre-cooked polenta. Enjoy!

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 16-ounce bottle spicy salsa
• 1 15- to 16-ounce can refried beans
• 1 14 1/2-ounce can chicken broth
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 1-pound rolls prepared polenta, sliced into 1/3-inch-thick rounds
• 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1.  Sauté beef in heavy large pot over medium-high heat until no longer pink, breaking up meat with back of fork, about 3 minutes. Add chili powder and cumin; stir 1 minute. Add salsa, beans, and broth. Simmer until mixture thickens, about 10 minutes. Mix in 1/4 cup cilantro; season with salt and pepper.

2.  Oil 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Place half of polenta in dish. Top with sauce and 1 1/2 cups cheese, then remaining polenta, cheese, and cilantro. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with foil; chill.)

3.  Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake freshly assembled pie, uncovered, until heated through and sauce bubbles, about 35 minutes, or bake refrigerated pie, covered, 20 minutes, then uncover and bake until heated through, about 35 minutes.