Easy Polenta Appetizers are really, really tasty – with sharp cheese, green chiles, garlic, and bell pepper, they make a very satisfying snack or even a meal.
I happened to grab some Trader Joe’s Organic Polenta (18-oz tube in refrigerated section) and put together an amazingly tasty appetizer in no time. One thing to know – polenta, corn meal, corn bread, grits, almost anything corn – goes with green chiles and cheese like ice cream goes with chocolate syrup. You almost have to work to screw it up. So I put this appetizer together … and then ate 4 of them for dinner. These are just really, really tasty and satisfying. Maybe addicting.
I used a Big Jim medium hot chile, and believe it or not, made these in my toaster oven. I’m waiting for my new oven to be delivered. I made the mistake of first broiling them about 4 inches from the heating coils. It was taking too long, so I moved the shelf up so they were more like 2 inches away – much better. The polenta is already cooked, so the idea is to get them hot and starting to brown. Then top with the cheese & chiles – can’t beat it. Try it! You’ll like it.
- 1 16 to 18 oz tube prepared polenta
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced green chiles
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- 3 green onions, sliced
- Turn on oven broiler and spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.
- Slice polenta into 16½ inch rounds, brush both sides with olive oil and place on cookie sheet. Set aside.
- In a medium skillet, pour 1 tbsp olive oil. Saute the minced garlic just till soft, about 1-2 minutes, then stir in the green chiles and set aside.
- Pop the cookie sheet into the broiler a few inches from the heat and cook till just starting to brown (probably 5-10 minutes, keep your eyes on them). Remove from oven, flip the polenta over, and cook the other side till starting to brown. Remove from oven.
- On each round of polenta, cover with shredded cheese, then top with about 1 tbsp of the chile garlic mixture, then a bit more cheese and some red bell pepper bits.
- Pop back into broiler for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is fully melted.
- Top each with green onions and serve. Enjoy!
I happened to grab some Trader Joe's Organic Polenta (18-oz tube in refrigerated section) and put together an amazingly tasty appetizer in no time. One thing to know - polenta, corn meal, corn bread, grits, almost anything corn - goes with green chiles and cheese like ice cream goes with chocolate syrup. You almost have to work to screw it up. So I put this appetizer together ... and then ate 4 of them for dinner. These are just really, really tasty and satisfying. Maybe addicting.
I used a Big Jim medium hot chile, and believe it or not, made these in my toaster oven. I'm waiting for my new oven to be delivered. I made the mistake of first broiling them about 4 inches from the heating coils. It was taking too long, so I moved the shelf up so they were more like 2 inches away - much better. The polenta is already cooked, so the idea is to get them hot and starting to brown. Then top with the cheese & chiles - can't beat it. Try it! You'll like it.
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