Servings: 6
Ingredients
Polenta Cakes
4 cups vegetable stock
1 cup cornmeal, yellow, whole grain, coarse
spicy lentil chorizo
1 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoons smoked paprika, ground
1 tablespoons chili powder
½ tablespoon kosher salt
½ tablespoon black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons oregano, dried, whole leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, ground
1 1/2 teaspoons thyme, dried, whole leaf
1 1/2 teaspoons coriander seed, ground
1 tablespoons cornstarch
¾ cups vegetable stock
1 ½ tablespoons canola oil
¾ cups yellow onions, small dice
3 cups lentils, cooked
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoons canola oil
To plate
1 bunch scallions, sliced thinly on bias
3/4 cups Cilantro, fresh, chopped
Directions:
- For polenta cakes: Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. In a large pot, heat stock over medium-high heat bringing it to a boil. Slowly add polenta to pot, continually whisking to avoid clumps. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and allow polenta to cook for 15-25 minutes, occasionally whisking to avoid sticking/burning to the bottom of pot. Polenta is ready when tasted and does not have a raw cornmeal flavor and the texture is soft.
- Prepare baking dish by lining it with parchment paper and use pan spray (not listed) to oil surface. Pour polenta into pan and smooth top.
- For Spicy Lentil Chorizo Mixture: In a bowl, combine spices and mix well. Reserve.
- Combine cornstarch and vegetable stock and whisk until cornstarch is dissolved. Reserve.
- In a large skillet or pot over medium high heat, add oil and sauté onions until translucent, 3-5 minutes. Add spice mixture and bloom until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add cooked lentils and vinegar. Continue to cook until the lentils are warmed through and vinegar has evaporated, about 2-3 minutes. Add vegetable stock mixture and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened. Remove from skillet or pot and hold hot for service.
- Over medium-high heat, heat oil in a large skillet or on flat-top grill. Place portioned polenta cakes on skillet and fry until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes then flip and repeat on second side. Remove and place on sheet pan and continue to cook remaining polenta cakes. Place sheet pan in oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Hold hot for service.
- Place one piece of polenta cake in middle of plate. Add 4oz (1/2 cup) lentils over the top and artfully across the plate. Garnish with 1 Tablespoon green onions and 1 Tablespoon cilantro.
Recipe taken from http://www.forwardfood.org and halved for domestic use.