Peach and Gorgonzola Grilled Polenta Rounds

Originally known as peasant food, polenta has become all the rage in high-end restaurants because of the laborious cooking requirements. It can be a great side dish or even a main entrée! Polenta is made from corn, and when cooked perfectly becomes a smooth creamy component to any meal. When eaten, corn can supply the body with many nutrients such as carbohydrates, vitamin A, carotenoids. The carotenoids found in corn are lutein and zeaxanthin, which have been shown to protect your eye health.

If you’re in a time crunch, most stores sell pre-made polenta which can be sliced into medallions and fried up quickly in a pan. Top the medallions with a mixture of Italian sausage, cannellini beans, and tomatoes and you have a meal! Another great thing about polenta is how versatile it can be. Polenta alone is sort of bland but can stand up to any spice you throw at it. For a Cajun inspired meal add paprika and cayenne, or for a Mexican twist add chipotle! The recipe below has an Italian feel with the addition of sweet currants, nutty gorgonzola cheese and pine nuts. In place of currants, these tasty squares are also great with chopped dried figs or cranberries.

Well if we haven’t convinced you to try polenta yet, then you might be interested to know that polenta is naturally gluten-free. If you have a severe allergy or sensitivity to gluten, be sure to pick up a polenta package that states gluten-free on the packaging. Polenta is a great option for those on gluten-free diets because it is a starch alternative with endless possibilities.

Peach and Gorgonzola Grilled Polenta Rounds with Chipotle Honey Sauce

Ingredients:

1 tube polenta, removed from casing, cut into 1/2-inch slices

2 tablespoons olive oil

salt + pepper, for sprinkling

6 ounces gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

1 peach, sliced thin

Chipotle Honey

1/2 cup honey

1-2 tablespoon chipotle in adobo

Directions

1) Brush both sides of the polenta cakes with the olive oil, and set aside.

2) Heat a grill or grill pan to high heat. Lay the polenta rounds in one layer on the grill, and grill for 5 minutes on each side or until both sides are golden and crunchy and have grill marks.

3) Remove the cakes from the grill and place on a large sheet of tin foil. Turn the grill down to medium.

4) Top each polenta round with an even amount of gorgonzola cheese and 2 to 3 slices of peach. Carefully lift the foil onto the grill and grill for 5 minutes or until the cheese is warm and melty. Remove from the grill and drizzle with the chipotle honey.

5) To make the chipotle honey, add the honey and chipotle in adobo to a small bowl. Whisk to combine. Taste and add more chipotle if you like it smokier/hotter.

Adapted from halfbakedharvest.com

We can help you eat more fruits & vegetables! Fruits & Veggies--More Matters is a health initiative focused on helping Americans increase fruit and vegetable consumption for better health. The program is spearheaded by Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH), a nonprofit organization that has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to help spread the word about the health benefits of adding MORE fruits and veggies to your diet. Products and recipes that carry the logo must meet strict nutrition criteria. These standards are set by CDC, the leading public health authority for the brand, to ensure products and recipes promoting the brand offer an overall healthy nutrient profile.