Leftover Polenta? Here’s some Delicious ideas here …
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One of our supermarket bargains this week was a few pieces of oxtail which I braised in red wine and ate with a dish of Polenta of which, being as I am the only person in this house weird enough to eat Polenta, I had a fair bit leftover. No worries – there are so many great things to do with leftover polenta scraps.
How to Make Polenta
Before we start, see here for how to make polenta see here, you will have to scan down a bit past all the pretty pictures of Caribbean Full Moon Party! In the same post is how to make Mozzarella Stuffed Polenta Cakes.
Leftover Polenta Pizza Base
Whilst still warm spread the polenta out thinly to use as an alternative pizza base. Top and bake as usual.
Polenta Tart Case
Set aside leftover polenta till cool enough to handle and then with lightly greased hands press the polenta into a loose bottomed tart case pressing against the sides and into corners. Either bake empty (no need to weight and bake blind as it won’t puff up) then cool and fill or add a chosen filling, brush the edge of the tart case with olive oil and bake in a hot oven till the crust is golden and the filling cooked. Here’s one made earlier with wine glazed shallot filling.
For the following ways to use up leftover polenta firstly, using a wet spatula, spread the unused polenta in an oiled to about15 mm thick. Leave till cold and if poss leave a bit longer to allow it to dry out a bit.
Leftover Polenta Chips, Croutons and Pretty Shapes
Cut cold polenta into shapes or chips or croutons and coat in flour or dry cornmeal to help form a crispy crust. Deep fry a few pieces at a time – do not overcrowd the pan, the oil needs to stay good and hot – and when crisp and golden, lift out carefully and drain on kitchen roll whilst frying the rest.
Crostini, Bruschetta and General Nibbly Things
As above but instead of deep frying brush with olive oil and season and grill OR season and coat in a little dry cornmeal and shallow fry till crisp and golden.
Sprinkle with sea salt for a crunchy snack or add a delicious topping and flash under the grill or into a hot oven to heat through.
Cutting out pretty shapes results in a few odd pieces and trimmings so here’s what to do with them …
Leftover Polenta Hash
~ Heat a little olive oil in a shallow pan.
~ Add the polenta and fry till hot with crispy areas.
~ Mix in anything you like – leftover veg, meat, fish, herbs, spices etc.
~ Continue cooking gently a few minutes more till heated through, crisp and golden.
Polenta Gratin
This is one of my favourite ways to use up unused polenta trimmings; toss the bits of pieces of polenta with soft buttery cooked leeks and pile into a buttered dish. Crumble over some blue cheese, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and bake till hot and bubbling. A glass or red wine is de rigueur here.
Polenta Scraps Topping
Scatter bits and pieces of leftover polenta on top of a savoury stew, hotpot or casserole, cover the dish with foil and bake till hot through. Uncover and sprinkle with breadcrumbs and cheese if suitable, return to the oven till crisp and bubbling. For a posh do use slices of polenta, cut into pretty pieces and laid slightly overlapping.
Creative Ways to Use Up Leftovers
I have so many ideas for leftovers that I wrote Creative Ways to Use Up Leftovers which has ideas, recipes, handy hints, cook’s treats, storage guidance and food pairing suggestions for over 450 possible leftovers and scraps.
Suzy Bowler
Having been a somewhat itinerant chef for over 30 years I was amazed, on my return to the UK, at the blatant food waste that now seems to be rife in the country; amazed and irritated. So much so that I decided to start a blog about spontaneous cooking from leftovers to show people that there are great alternatives to throwing food away.
One Comment
Emma ROONEY
I’ve only ever used polenta to make corn bread, just picked up a big pack of ready made polenta in Lidl for 99p so will definitely be trying the chips!