Spicy Polenta Cakes
- Level: Easy
- Yield: 8 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 8 servings
- Calories
- 300
- Total Fat
- 17
- Saturated Fat
- 7
- Carbohydrates
- 31
- Dietary Fiber
- 2
- Sugar
- 7
- Protein
- 7
- Cholesterol
- 28
- Sodium
- 242
- Total: 2 hr 50 min
- Active: 50 min
Ingredients
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking polenta, medium- or coarse-grain
1 cup crumbled queso blanco cheese
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan
2 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 jalapenos, seeded and diced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons honey, for serving
1 lime, halved
Directions
- Combine the milk, salt and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat and slowly whisk in the polenta. Cook, whisking constantly, until the polenta tightens and there are no lumps, about 4 minutes. Stir in the queso blanco, butter, cilantro, pepper and jalapeno. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Generously butter a 9-by-9-inch baking pan. Pour the polenta into the pan and set aside to cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours, until firm.
- Preheat a griddle pan over medium heat. Invert the polenta onto a clean cutting board and slice it into nine 3-inch squares. Brush the squares on both sides with the olive oil, then griddle them until golden brown and warmed through, about 3 minutes per side. While warm, drizzle the polenta cakes with the honey and squeeze lime juice over the top. Serve.