My polenta Success - Core recipe, including daily fat portion

[Guest guest]

,

the pre-made polenta has never looked appealing to me. It looks bland.

However, I made mine from scratch, spread it in a pan, let it cool, then

turned it out of the pan and cut it into points (wedges) and pan-grilled it

with olive oil spray. I added quite a bit of seasoning to my dough while it

was simmering, and it is very flavorful. The pan-grilled points are crispy

and tasty all by themselves. However, to make it a complete meal, I made a

meat mixture to spoon on top of them on the plate. I think it would also

make a nice finger-food appetizer. Here's the recipe "

Southwestern Spicy Polenta (3-4 servings)

3 3/4 cups water

1 cup polenta (corn meal)

1 Tbsp. Southwest Chipotle Seasoning (I get mine from Tupperware)

1 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. olive Oil

Put the water in a large pot on medium heat. Add seasonings and oil. As it

heats up, slowly whisk in the polenta granules, so as not to allow them to

clump together. Stir constantly until mixture begins to boil. Turn down to a

low simmer and continue cooking for 40 minutes. Constant stirring is best,

but frequent stirring is okay, too. While cooking, prepare a 9 " square pan

by spraying with oil or lining with plastic wrap. When done, turn the

polenta mixture into the pan and spread as evenly as possible. place a layer

of plastic wrap on surface to preven crusting, if you like. Let cool until

firm. Turn out on a cutting board (remove plastic before cutting) cut into

any shape desired.

Heat a grilling pan or griddle until very hot, spray with olive oil spray.

Place polenta pieces on hot griddle and pan fry until crispy on one side.

Spray the upward side with olive oil spray then turn over and pan-fry until

crispy on the other side.

Serve as is, or top with any sort of meat topping that interests you. My

recipe follows.

Cindi's Meat Topping (6-8 servings)

1 lb. 93% lean ground beef, or leaner

1 medium onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 can rotel, an variety

1 can diced green chiles

1 can sliced black olives

brown the beef, onions and garlic. When meat is done, add canned veggies,

heat thru & serve 1 Tbsp. mixutre on each polenta tip.