Basil-Cheese Polenta

"This recipe is Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian. It does NOT contain Chicken Broth. It is excellent served as is, but can also be served with a Chunky-Style Tomato Sauce. *Please NOTE: This dish requires preparations done a day ahead. The overnight chilling time is NOT included in my given time estimates."
 
Download
photo by a food.com user photo by a food.com user
Ready In:
1hr 20mins
Ingredients:
8
Serves:
6
Advertisement

ingredients

Advertisement

directions

  • Grease a 2-quart baking dish.
  • If using fresh basil leaves, snip them up into little pieces.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the mozzarella, the parmesan, and the basil.Set aside.
  • For the polenta, in a medium saucepan bring 2 3/4 cups of water to a boil.
  • Meanwhile, in a bowl mix together the cornmeal, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
  • Stir the cup of COLD water into the cornmeal mixture.
  • SLOWLY add the cornmeal mixture to the boiling water,stirring constantly.
  • Cook and stir until the mixture returns to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes, or until mixture is very thick, stirring often.
  • Pour 1/3 of the hot mixture into the greased baking dish.
  • Sprinkle with 1/2 the cheese blend.
  • Repeat the same two layers again, using another 1/3 of the hot mixture, and the remaining 1/2 of the cheese.
  • Pour over the last 1/3 of the hot mixture.
  • Cool for 1 hour.
  • Cover and chill overnight.
  • When you are ready to cook the polenta, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Place the uncovered polenta into the hot oven for about 40 minutes, or until lightly browned on top, and heated through.
  • Let the polenta stand for 10 minutes before cutting to serve.

Questions & Replies

Got a question? Share it with the community!
Advertisement

Reviews

Have any thoughts about this recipe? Share it with the community!
Advertisement

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

Recently moved to New Mexico from South-East Texas. What can I say, I LOVE to cook! My screen name came from my husband Bert. He calls me his Kitchen Witch, because he says that I "make magic" in the kitchen.Bert works in Emergency Medicine in a local E.R.(That's what brought us here to New Mexico.) He has worked Emergency for about 27 years now, and I call him my "working class hero".(In reference to the John Lennon song.) I have 5 awesome children, 2 step-sons, 2 sons, and a daughter, who because she is the youngest and the only girl, thinks she is a princess.(oh no, she's not spoiled!) I come from a long line of people, on both sides of the family, who were wonderful and creative cooks. I guess that explains my love of cooking and feeding people.I truly get a thrill out of serving food to people who enjoy it.I also love to read, and consume books and information ravenously.I absolutely adore a great mystery.I also would have a hard time surviving without music! I like most all music, from The Beatles, to old Blues(Robert Johnson rocks!) ,to Loreena McKennitt,and Phoebe Snow.I am currently a house wife, due to our recent move.Before that, I worked for several years with abused children in an RTC.(Residential Treatment Center.) My pet peeves are small-minded,prejudiced,mean people and wastefulness. Growing up, my Father taught us that to waste food was a sin when there are so many people in the world starving.I guess that one really stuck with me.I love to meet people with common interests,so Zmail me any time!<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/FFF/Switzerland-FFF4.gif"> <a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"> <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w270/dign4bones/cuckoo1.gif" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><img src="http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/projects/200_PACpic.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"> <img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/222/511934835_9dc466e9a4_o.gif"> <img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/Zaar%20World%20Tour%203/ZWT3-Participation.gif"><img src="http://www.satsleuth.com/cooking/RecipeSwap2.JPG" width=50%>
 
View Full Profile
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Find More Recipes