Tonight Mr BBB and I headed out for a 5km run after work. It was cold and dark, but one of those runs where everything feels fantastic. We actually improved a little on our time too – which was an added bonus.
I arrive home chilled yet invigorated, and turned to the Mystery Box for dinner inspiration.
The chosen ingredient...
Polenta!
Hmmm if you were thinking that I have cooked with this ingredient before then you would be right.....sort of.
Not that long ago I drew cornmeal out of the Mystery Box, and knowing that it was similar to polenta, I made a batch of polenta pancakes.
Did you know? Polenta is ground cornmeal, and is both wheat and gluten free. It is rich in carbohydrates and insoluble fibre.
I am a big fan of polenta, in all its bright yellow glory and its soft porridge-like texture. While I normally use polenta as a 'soaker' for curries or stews (in place of mashed potatoes), and have previously cooked it into pancakes, I wanted to try something different tonight.
I had heard that you could bake polenta, and was immediately intrigued. When I saw that you could also make oven baked polenta chips, well I was sold.
I followed this recipe, although I forgot to add the parmesan, much to Mr BBB’s dismay…
I cooked the polenta, stirred through kalamata olives and a good helping of thyme.
Then spread the mixture into a lined dish to cool...
Once set, I removed the polenta and cut it into "chips".
Baked on a lined tray for 20 minutes, turning half way through.
While the polenta chips were cooking we also fried a little cheesy treat.
Oh my – I love haloumi. Especially this organic variety.
And when fried in a little EVOO until crispy.
Served all together: polenta chips, haloumi, leftover lentils and steamed broccoli.
A random yet tasty combination of flavours!
I will definitely be making these “not for the hips” polenta chips again. They were crunchy and absolutely delicious!
I recommend that you make a batch ASAP.
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On a different note - the lovely Jules at The Stone Soup has generously made her Minimalist Home Cooking cookbook available for free online. Head over to http://www.thestonesoup.com/ to download her book. I did, and can't wait to try some of her wonderful recipes!
What about you? Do you have a favourite polenta dish?
Happy Baking :)
Posts
Can you believe I've never had polenta?! This meal looks so amazing. You need to be the "next food network chef" I think!
ReplyDeleteI love polenta chips too! They're so moreish and when you bake them crisp they're very chip like :)
ReplyDeleteWOW! I've never seen polenta look so good! Nice work!
ReplyDeleteThose look amazing..and they are GF. I want to make a breakky cereal out of polenta...polenta porridge. I reckon it would be good. w/ dates..yummy.
ReplyDeleteI've never had polenta, it looks really good! I'll have to try it!
ReplyDeleteSo, once I tried to make polenta and totally failed, and then the other day I tried grilling halloumi and totally failed!
ReplyDeleteI obviously need to by non prepackaged polenta! As for the halloumi, when I put it in the frying pan it all got stuck and hardly turned brown and pretty like yours! How did you do it???
so clever! And I bet they were great for dipping! I will have to try these. WE love polenta.
ReplyDeleteI've never had polenta but those look so good! I'm almost (really am) embarrassed to say that I thought polenta was a vegetable, oopsie!
ReplyDeleteI have never eaten polenta! I bought some a couple of weeks ago but haven't got around to playing with it yet. After seeing yours, I might have to make chips.
ReplyDeleteI've only eaten polenta topped with marinara sauce and cheese, but these chips look so good. I'll have to try them out someday. (And that cheese looks really delicious too.)
ReplyDeleteI am not very good with polenta..ok well I tried it once and it was a disaster! Maybe I should give it another go...
ReplyDeleteI have never used polenta. I feel like every time i think of something new I want to cook with...the mystery box always chooses it. It is magical.
ReplyDeletedefinitely need to give these a tri!!
ReplyDeleteyumm, although I hate olives I wonder what a good replacement would be?
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely making this pronto! I love the salty tang of olives and the corny taste of polenta. In terms of my favourite dish for polenta? I don't know if this counts, or if it's more cornmeal, but I have a recipe for Indian Corn Pudding for dessert which had a top soaked in maple syrup... mmm...
ReplyDeleteWoah! I don't think I have ever seen Polenta in my life - or Haloumi. I think you won the award for the most unique array of eats I've seen in blog land this week. You go girl!
ReplyDeletePS: Cauliflower pizza crust = best invention ever. There are lots of great recipes out there - I hope you give it a try + love it mucho!
That looks like an incredible dish - the different textures offered from the polenta chips, haloumi and lentils really appeal to me! (what is it with vegetarians fixation on/quest for texture!). I really need to give this a go - my sister is a Coeliac and I think she would love it. Thanks :) PS: forgetting the parmesan is only just forgivable - don't do it again :P
ReplyDeleteI used to bake little polenta shapes for my toddler. She would just eat them for snacks. You and NotQuiteNigella have posted about polenta this last week, it must definately be the stick-to-your-ribs yumminess that we crave this time of year!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the idea of your polenta chips! I'll have to get cracking in the kitchen and make some - thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteive tried baked polenta and it is soooo yummy! loving the haloumi slices :O)
ReplyDelete