Nothing Corny about these Polenta Cakes

Some days are just fun for me.  I get my work done, get home and suddenly get struck by Idea Lightening.  That is how it feels when the moment strikes.  Recently I picked up some incredible corn meal from Shady Side Farm.  You might wonder why that jumped into my head as something to fix today but I will point above at the picture and the fact that I was struck by Idea Lightening!  What follows is a recipe that even my 8 year old liked.  He is my harshest critic so I think you will enjoy this.

---

---

Cut a heaping 1/2 cup of cauliflower into small florets.  Saute in 1 TB of olive oil and cook on Med High heat until browned.


Once Polenta is soft, no crunch, fold in the cooked cauliflower plus 1/3 cup Parmesan, and 2 TB Roasted Garlic Herb Butter. Trust me...this better makes this dish.  Once melted, remove from heat and fold in 1/4 cup chopped chives.  

---

Recipe:
1 Clove Garlic, chopped
1/3 cup diced onion
1/3 cup diced bell peppers
2 TB Olive oil


As you see to the left, place all 4 ingredients into the pan and set stove to medium heat.  Stir often and let soften.  Once Softened add:
1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups Corn Meal
1 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Black Pepper
Stir  with a whisk to begin to ensure nothing clumps.  Stir often so it does not stick to bottom of pan.  Turn heat just below medium.  Will take about 20 minutes to cook.  Taste to see if corn meal is soft enough.  If not and mixture is very thick, add more milk, 1/4 cup at a time.

---

---

Spray a casserole dish with non stick spray and spread polenta into it OR serve as is with favorite protein and enjoy.  If making the cakes, smooth with a spatula sprayed with non stick.  Let cook for 2 hours.  When ready to make the cakes, either use a round/square cookie cutter or cut out desired shapes.


Heat a pan with vegetable oil(oil should be approx 1/4 inch up the sides) on medium high.  Coat the pieces with flour (shake off excess) and place into hot oil.  Once browned on one side (approx 5 minutes) flip and cook for 5 to 6 minutes more, remove and set on paper towel to soak up oil.  Then....

Enjoy!