Spicy Polenta Recipes

Steps:

• In a food processor, fitted with the blade attachment, add the dry ingredients and pulse 3 times for 2 seconds each. Add in the half-and-half and the butter and pulse for 10 second intervals, 4 to 5 times, or until a dough starts to form. If the dough seems crumbly, and not binding, drizzle in a few drops of the water, a little at a time, until it binds.
• Turn out onto a lightly floured board and knead a few times. Divide in half, cover with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Put a silicone baking mat on your work surface and roll the dough into a rectangle, about 6 by 9 inches and 1/4-inch thick. Evenly trim the edges, adding back any trimmings to the second portion of dough. Cut 2-inch strips with a knife, but leaving the dough in place. Then cut diagonals to form triangular pieces, 2 inches on their long side. Repeat, gently transferring them to a baking sheet fitted with a silicone baking mat, spacing them 1-inch apart. Repeat with second half of dough.
• Bake for 9 to 12 minutes, checking carefully after 9 minutes. Crackers will start to turn golden.
• Remove from oven and let cool. Store tightly covered for up to 3 days.

Steps:

• Combine the milk, salt and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat and slowly whisk in the polenta. Cook, whisking constantly, until the polenta tightens and there are no lumps, about 4 minutes. Stir in the queso blanco, butter, cilantro, pepper and jalapeno. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
• Generously butter a 9-by-9-inch baking pan. Pour the polenta into the pan and set aside to cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours, until firm.
• Preheat a griddle pan over medium heat. Invert the polenta onto a clean cutting board and slice it into nine 3-inch squares. Brush the squares on both sides with the olive oil, then griddle them until golden brown and warmed through, about 3 minutes per side. While warm, drizzle the polenta cakes with the honey and squeeze lime juice over the top. Serve.

Steps:

• Put a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. Season the stew meat with salt and pepper, to taste, and dredge in the flour, shaking off any excess. Add the stew meat to the pan and brown on all sides, about 8 minutes.
• Remove the meat from the pan and set aside on a plate. Pour the chicken broth or stock into the skillet to deglaze and scrape up all the brown bits on the bottom. Turn off the heat and let it sit.
• To the sleeve of a 5 quart slow cooker add half of the chopped the vegetables and nestle half of the meat on top. Add the remaining vegetables, remaining meat, tomatoes, garlic, the broth from the pan, and the thyme. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
• About 5 minutes before the stew is ready, make the polenta according to package instructions. Add a pinch of salt and the red pepper flakes to the water before adding the polenta. Once the polenta has thickened remove from heat, stir in the cheese and butter and whisk until smooth.
• To serve, put a big spoonful of polenta on each plate. Top with some of the stew and garnish with some fresh thyme leaves, if desired, (Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the stew for round 2 recipe Osso Buco Calzones)

Steps:

• In 3-quart saucepan, heat broth, milk, cumin, salt and red pepper to boiling. Slowly pour grits into boiling broth mixture, stirring vigorously with wire whisk to prevent lumps from forming.
• Reduce heat to low; simmer uncovered 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Stir in cheese.