Polenta cake with anything goes salad

This is the ultimate use-what-you-have recipe so you can take this recipe as inspiration and run with it. The polenta cake can be made from scratch or made from leftover cooked polenta. Whichever way you make it, you'll love it.

Ingredients

  • 1L chicken stock

  • 1 cup instant polenta

  • 60g parmesan cheese

    freshly grated

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 3 slices prosciutto

  • 1 avocado

    peeled and sliced

  • 1 cup cooked peas

  • 2 soft-boiled eggs

  • 4 handfuls mixed lettuce leaves

  • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar

  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

  • sea salt

    to taste

  • freshly ground black pepper

    to taste

Allergy Advice

Contains Dairy

Contains Eggs

Equipment

  • 1 Casserole dish (1-2L)
  • 1 Small saucepan
  • 1 Saucepan
  • 1 Whisk
  • 1 Grill or chargrill pan
  • 1 Frypan
  • 1 Bowl
  • 1 Small screw-top jar

Instructions

  1. You can use leftover polenta from another meal or make it fresh as described. Butter a 1-2L round casserole dish.
  2. Place eggs in a small saucepan of water, bring to the boil and cook for 3 minutes for a runny yolk. Drain and when eggs are cool enough to handle, peel and halve.
  3. To make the polenta, bring the stock to the boil in a saucepan. Slowly add polenta, whisking until all is added. Bring back to the boil, reduce heat to low and stir constantly for a further 8-10 minutes or until the polenta is cooked (the texture of mashed potato).
  4. Remove from heat and stir in parmesan. Pour polenta into the prepared casserole dish and smooth the top. Leave to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
  5. Turn the chilled polenta cake onto a board and brush with olive oil. Heat a grill or chargrill pan to high heat. Brush oil over the polenta and cook for about 8-10 minutes on each side until crisp and heated through.
  6. Remove the grilled polenta to a plate and cut into wedges. For extra crispiness, cook the wedges in a frypan for about 2 minutes each side until crisp.
  7. Combine avocado, peas, lettuce and prosciutto pieces in a bowl.
  8. To make the dressing, place vinegar, oil, salt and pepper to taste in a small screw-top jar and shake to combine. Pour over the salad and toss well.
  9. Serve polenta wedges topped with half a soft-boiled egg and a pile of salad.

Notes

Tip
Use leftover polenta to make this recipe even quicker.
Tip
A simple green salad is also a great alternative if you don't have the other salad ingredients.
Variation
The 'anything goes' salad can be adapted with other ingredients like goat's cheese or asparagus.
Storage
Store leftover polenta cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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