Grilled Italian Polenta with Fresh Tomatoes and Beans
This is a fun and different meal to prepare on the grill! A broiler works well, too, if you don’t want to fire up the barbecue.
Ingredients
- 24 - 32 oz. plain prepared polenta (sold in tubes with grains) sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic minced, about 1/2 tsp.
- 5 fresh basil leaves chopped
- 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. salt to taste
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved 2 cups
- 15 oz. canned cannellini bean (or use 1 1/2 cups home-cooked beans for every 15 oz. can), drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese or use 1/2 cup shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Lay the polenta slices on a baking sheet. Pour half the oil in a small bowl, and using a pastry brush, brush both sides of the polenta lightly with the oil.
- Grill the polenta directly on the grill grates until it is lightly browned, 4 - 5 minutes per side. (Alternatively, broil the polenta slices on a baking sheet about 4 inches from the heat source, flipping once, until they are browned.)
- While the polenta is cooking, in a medium bowl mix together the remaining oil, garlic, basil, and salt with the tomatoes and beans.
- Arrange the polenta in a single layer (it can be overlapping) on a serving dish. Top it with the tomato mixture. Sprinkle the cheese on top, and serve it immediately.
Notes
Do Ahead or Delegate: Slice and cover the polenta, peel the garlic, prepare the oil mixture, dice the tomato, shred the cheese if necessary and refrigerate.
Scramble Flavor Booster: Stir 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes into the olive oil.
Tip: Preheat your grill for 15 - 25 minutes for charcoal grills, or 10 minutes for gas grills. A well-heated grill will sear food on contact and keep the insides moist. Additionally, a grill that is properly heated will keep foods from sticking to the grates.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (% based upon daily values): Calories 230, Total Fat: 17g, 26%; Saturated Fat: 3g, 15%; Cholesterol: 5mg, 2%; Sodium: 610mg, 25%; Total Carbohydrate: 16g, 5%; Dietary Fiber: 2g, 8%; Sugar: 3g; Protein: 6g
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