Thursday, January 20, 2011

Savory Onion Cheddar Polenta with Roasted Root Vegetables

I suppose these recipes would qualify as side dishes and I can envision them snuggled up to roast chicken, lamb or maybe even a rosemary rubbed pork loin. But over the years as I’ve skirted in and out of being vegetarian, I’ve come to feel that side dishes can be a satisfying and filling meal on their own. So more often than not, I serve this meal by itself.

I’ll leave that choice to you of course. You can also make one dish without the other, serve them side by side, or as I do piling the vegetables atop plated beds of this flavorful polenta.

Roasted Root Vegetables
Printer Version
This is not a real recipe, but a method. Any combination of root vegetables works, so feel free to add or subtract as you please.


Parsnips
Carrots
Sweet potatoes
Yams
Onions
Beets
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Set out a rimmed baking sheet.

2. Peel sweet potatoes, yams, onions, beets, carrots and/or parsnips if using. Cut into equal sized pieces (as best you can). Place vegetables on baking sheet.

3. Coat vegetables in a generous about of oil, salt and pepper. Toss and spread the vegetables out so they are in a single layer. Do two trays if needed.

4. Bake vegetables for 25 minutes. Flip vegetables over and bake for another 15 to 25 minutes or until tender and caramelized.


Savory Onion Cheddar Polenta
Save yourself the trouble of having extra cornmeal to store and purchase a small amount of polenta in the bulk section.

2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup well diced onions
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 quart (4 cups) chicken broth or vegetable broth
1 cup polenta (coarse ground cornmeal)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup shredded aged white cheddar (Local Cougar Gold is my favorite.)

1. In a medium-large pot melt the butter over medium high heat until the foam subsides. Add the onions and salt. Cook until onions are soft. About 5 minutes. Add the broth. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil.

2. Slowly sprinkle in the polenta stirring as you pour. Turn the heat to medium and cook for 20 to 25 minutes stirring frequently until the polenta is thickened and soft to taste.

3. Turn off heat and stir in pepper and cheddar. Serve immediately or pour into a 9x13 inch pan to set. Once cool, cut polenta into squares.

Recipes and pictures by Laura Flowers.


15 comments:

Unknown said...

I am in love with the Polenta! I eat sidedishes for main meals all the time.

Joanne said...

This would definitely stand as a meal on it's own in my house! It's basically one dish full of everything I crave constantly. Minus chocolate. Sigh.

VegeCooking Club said...

I have been doing lots of vegetarian meals so I love this sort of dish. I have been thinking about making polenta a lot lately...this sounds like the perfect dish!

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

You managed to do it again, Laura. Excellent combo. Roasted veggies are a staple in this house, but I've never made such a yummy polenta. Will have to remedy that soon!

:)
ButterYum

Sharon said...

This looks delicious! I've never heard of polenta though, let alone tried it. I don't know if it might an American terminology like cilantro/coriander. Is it like oatmeal? In any case, it looks yummy with butter and onions. Gotta love butter.

The Cooking Photographer said...

Sharon you have the right idea. Polenta is a ground cornmeal we eat quite a bit of in the western (mostly southwestern) US.

Laura

Anonymous said...

I was just wondering how many people this recipe for savory polenta would feed? My husband and I have 4 children (ages 4-8 years old). Only one of them is a "good eater." Not sure if I should double it or not. This recipe sounds delicious! Can't wait to try it!...Thanks...Kari

The Cooking Photographer said...

Hi Kari,

If it’s served as a side don't bother doubling the polenta for the size of your family. This makes enough to fill a 9x13 inch pan with (about) a 1-inch layer. If it's going to be a major part of your meal go ahead and double. You'll probably still have leftovers; just pour them into a pan before chilling.

Laura

Anonymous said...

The colors really pop in this photo. Polenta is on my food bucket list, hay we should start a "bucket list" for anything culinary.. "foodish" HMMM?

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

You had me at polenta.
:-{)

Monet said...

Hi Laura! I would certainly serve this as a main dish at my house. Bring on the roasted veggies! This looks so flavorful, and I love how the colorful vegetables look against the creamy polenta. Thank you for sharing yet another delicious recipe. I hope you have a wonderful weekend...enjoy yourself and eat well!

Xiaolu said...

What a gorgeous and comforting cold weather meal, Laura. Dish me up a big bowl, please :)!

Candace Karu said...

I just posted this on the Cabot Facebook page...a perfect recipe to banish the winter blahs!

The Cooking Photographer said...

Candace thank-you!

Marion Winik said...

I wonder what might make a good sauce to drizzle over this. Not tomato, I don't think, though I see that on other blogs. Your thoughts?

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