Polenta Fries

cornmeal’s higher calling

This recipe certainly is a delicious treat all on its own, but it’s also a wonderful use of leftovers.  Once the pieces are fried, serve them alongside several toppings.  Allow guests to choose from the brilliant colors and dazzling tastes of Roasted Walnut Pesto, Buttercup Mustard, and Homemade Creamy Italian Dressing.

cooking information

• Yield: Side for 4
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cooking Time: 15 minutes

all ingredients

• 1 Recipe of Polenta
• Flour
• Olive Oil

recipe instruction

1. Spread your prepared polenta onto a greased cookie sheet. Let rest until firm, approximately an hour or more.

2. Cut your polenta into desired shapes. Circles, squares, sticks, wedges.

3. To cook, preheat an inch-deep of oil in a large sauté pan to high heat.

4. Dredge each piece of polenta in flour. Dust any extra flour off.

5. Once the pieces are covered in flour, drop into your hot oil. Let fry for 1-2 minutes per side. Flip and finish frying the other side.

6. When each side is crisped up, remove from the oil and let rest on paper towels to drain any extra oil. Let cool a minute and serve.

cooking tips

• This is a great use for leftover Shrimp and Grits too. At the end of your meal, spread out the remaining grits to allow them to firm up. Decorate the fried pieces with any leftover shrimp, minced.
• Left over polenta? Spread out on a greased cookie sheet and let sit for a couple hours. Cut into your favorite shapes, dredge in flour and fry in a shallow pan of hot oil. Delicious!!