HOW TO MAKE POLENTA CAKES RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Spray a 9x 13 pan with olive oil spray. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• 2. In a heavy saucepan, whisk together the polenta (yellow cornmeal) and water and place over medium heat. Bring slowly to a boil, whisking often to prevent lumps from forming. Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for just a few minutes until smooth.
• 3. Season with salt and black pepper and cheese and stir together. carefully pour into the hot prepared skillet or dish.
• 4. Pour into prepared pan.
• 5. Bake for 40 minutes.
• 6. Allow to cool completely.
• 7. Cut into squares, triangles or rounds or really any shape you like.
• 8. Heat a nonstick skillet with the oil over high heat. Put 4 cakes in at a time. Cook 2-3 minutes per side or until well browned. Repeat with remaining cakes.

Steps:

• For firm polenta use 4 cups water; for soft polenta use 5 cups water. Bring water to a boil in a medium-size heavy sauce pan over high heat. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Pour cornmeal slowly into water, stirring with a wire whisk or wooden spoon. Continue stirring as mixture thickens, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Turn heat to low. Cook for at least 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so. If polenta becomes quite thick, thin it with 1/2 cup water, stir well and continue cooking. Add up to 1 cup more water as necessary, to keep polenta soft enough to stir. Put a spoonful on a plate, let it cool, then taste. Grains should be swollen and taste cooked, not raw. Adjust salt and add pepper if you wish.
• For firm polenta, lightly butter a baking sheet or shallow dish, approximately 8 1/2 by 11 inches. Carefully pour polenta into pan. Using a spatula, spread polenta to a thickness of 3/4 inch. Cool to room temperature to allow polenta to solidify. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For soft polenta, add 6 tablespoons butter to pot and stir well. Serve immediately or transfer to a double boiler set over low heat, cover and keep warm for up to an hour or so. (Or set the saucepan in a pot of barely simmering water.) Stir well before spooning into low soup bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan, if desired.