Caponata and Herb Polenta

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Level: Intermediate
Total: 35 min
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Level: Intermediate
Total: 35 min
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  1. 2 tablespoons (2 turns around the pan) extra-virgin olive oil
  2. 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  3. 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  4. 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
  5. 1 cubanelle Italian long green pepper, seeded and diced
  6. 1 large sweet onion, peeled and chopped
  7. 2 ribs celery, chopped
  8. 1/2 cup large green olives, pitted and chopped
  9. 1/2 cup Kalamata black olives, pitted and chopped
  10. 1 (3-ounce) jar capers, drained
  11. 1/2 cup (a couple of handfuls) golden raisins
  12. 1 medium firm eggplant, diced
  13. Salt
  14. 1 (32-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  15. 1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  16. 1 handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  17. 3 cups chicken stock
  18. 1 cup quick-cook polenta, found in Italian foods or specialty foods aisles
  19. 4 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed and chopped
  20. 1 sprig fresh rosemary, leaves removed and chopped finely chopped
  21. 2 tablespoons butter
  22. 1/4 cup grated Romano or Parmigiano
  23. Salt and pepper
  24. 6 cups mixed greens
  25. 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  26. 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Place the cutting board near the stovetop. Preheat a big, deep pot over medium heat. Add oil, garlic, and crushed pepper. As you chop vegetables (peppers, onion, and celery), add them to the pot. Once vegetables are in there, increase heat a bit.
  2. Stir in olives, capers, and raisins. Salt the diced eggplant and stir into the pot. Add tomatoes, diced and crushed, to the pot and stir caponata well to combine. Cover pot and cook caponata 15 to 20 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Stir in parsley and remove pan from heat.
  3. Polenta: Bring 3 cups chicken broth to a boil. Add polenta and stir constantly until the cornmeal masses together. Stir in herbs, butter, cheese, salt, and pepper.
  4. Spread polenta out over a serving platter. Make a shallow well from the center out and fill with half of the prepared caponata. This stands as a complete dinner on its own, so rich with vitamins and fresh vegetables. Refrigerate the remaining caponata for a later use.
  5. If you prepare a salad, keep it simple. Dress mixed greens with oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Caponata can also be used as a bruschetta topping.

 

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