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Baked stuffed polenta (tortino di polenta)

Frank Granieri

Baked stuffed polenta

(tortino di polenta)

 

Like pastry-less pies, these mounds of polenta are filled with a mixture of Italian pork sausage and rapini (broccoli rabe). Crisp on the outside, soft and yielding in the centre, the polenta pouches are delicious served atop a chickpea and vegetable puree.

Serves

6

Preparation

30min

Cooking

50min

By

Silvia Colloca

Ingredients

Polenta

  • 200 g instant polenta

  • 800 ml water

  • pinch of salt

Filling

  • 3-4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

  • 300 g (11oz) pork sausage meat, out of its casing, cut into small pieces

  • 1 kg (30 oz) rapini (broccoli rabe)

  • 1 red chilli, finely chopped

  • salt and pepper for seasoning

  • 100 ml (1 cup )dry white wine

Chickpea puree

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 1 small carrot, finely chopped

  • 1 stick celery, finely chopped

  • 2 x 400 g ( 14oz )tins chickpeas, well drained and rinsed

  • salt and pepper for seasoning

Cook’s notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.

Instructions

To make the filling, brown the sausage meat with the chillies in extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes. Deglaze the pan with wine, allow to bubble away for a few minutes, then turn the heat to low and cook for 10-15 minutes or until cooked through. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. Blanch the rapini in salted boiling water for 2-3 minutes, drain and rinse under cold water to prevent the greens from discolouring. Add the sausage meat, mix through, taste for salt and adjust accordingly.

Preheat the oven to 200°C. Place the water and the polenta in a medium sized non-stick saucepan, add a pinch of salt and bring to a simmer. Cook gently, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes or until the polenta is soft and creamy.

Oil 6 individual ramekins and dust them with polenta flour or breadcrumbs. Spread a few tablespoons of polenta in the ramekin to create a shell to encase the filling in. Add 1-2 tablespoons of filling, top with one extra tablespoon of soft polenta to create a lid. Repeat with the remaining ramekins. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden and delicious.

To make the chickpea puree, heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Stir-fry the onion, carrot and celery until soft. Add the drained chickpeas and cook for 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then blitz the chickpea mixture in a food processor until smooth. If too thick, add 1 tablespoon of water.

To assemble, spread 2-3 tablespoons of chickpea puree onto each plate. Take the baked polenta out of the ramekins and sit it on top of the puree. Serve with a side of baked potato or a green salad.

This recipe is from Made in Italy with Silvia Colloca.