Make Ahead

Pancetta and Cheese Grilled Polenta Wedges

by:
October 23, 2009
4.5
2 Ratings
  • Cook time 1 hour
  • Serves 8-12
Author Notes

This can be serve almost like a quiche with a side salad or as a side dish, preferably with a dish with succulent sauce to soak the wedges in. Your ham a cheese taste in a completely different form. And if you are too hungry to wait you can always eat it right after cooking in the polenta form, though the grilled cheese taste is just perfect. —Cordelia

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Ingredients
  • 1/3 big onion
  • 4 oz. of Pancetta
  • 2 teaspoons of chopped thyme
  • 1 clove of garlic minced
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1.5 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 cup graded parmesan
  • 1/2 cup gruyere
  • 1 cup polenta
Directions
  1. Cut the pancetta and the onion to small pieces. Saute in a bit of olive oil for 5 min on medium heat.
  2. Add the thyme and the garlic and saute for 1 minute.
  3. Add the salt and pepper, the water and the milk. Add the polenta in a slow stream while mixing.
  4. Bring to a simmer and lower the heat to low and keep cooking for 25-30 min mixing most of the time with a whisk, otherwise it will stick to the bottom.
  5. Take of the heat it mix in the cheese and olive oil. Mix well for few min.
  6. Pour the mixture to a greased 9'' round pan (pyrex). Let it set in the fridge for 30 min. Taste for salt.
  7. Cut to wedges and take out of the pan gently.
  8. Heat a none stick grill pan with one tablespoon of olive oil until smoking. Grill the wedges for 2 min on each side. Flip gently so they won't fall apart. you can grill the sides as well if you like.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

8 Reviews

lucyclark November 5, 2009
Sounds perfect for a dinner party. Could this be prepared the night before, refrigerated, and then grilled the next day, right before serving?
Cordelia November 6, 2009
most definitely. It will stay good in the fridge for about 3 days.
MrsWheelbarrow October 26, 2009
How much polenta?
Cordelia October 26, 2009
Sorry you right. One cup.
MrsWheelbarrow October 26, 2009
How much polenta?
MrsWheelbarrow October 26, 2009
How much polenta?
theicp October 23, 2009
This looks so delicious what a great idea. Seems like a great option for brunch too!
Cordelia October 23, 2009
Thanks! I agree about the brunch idea and if you use this a s a method you can incorporate many more flavors like adding diced veggies, blue cheese, sausage and so on....