Griddled Polenta Cakes with Caramelized Onions Goat Cheese and

Elevate your appetizer game with these Griddled Polenta Cakes with Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese—a delightful combination of crispy, golden polenta paired with velvety goat cheese and sweet, tangy caramelized onions. This recipe transforms simple ingredients like coarse cornmeal and onions into a show-stopping dish through techniques like slow caramelization and skillet-griddling. Perfect as an elegant starter or a cozy side dish, these polenta cakes are enhanced with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and the option for a fresh parsley garnish. With a prep and cook time of just over an hour, this dish is both easy to execute and worthy of any dinner party spread. Serve these irresistible bites warm to showcase their rich, savory flavors and contrasting textures! Perfect for vegetarian menus and packed with gourmet flair, this recipe is sure to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Polenta (coarse cornmeal)
• 4 cups Vegetable broth
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 large Yellow onions
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 2 teaspoons Balsamic vinegar
• 4 ounces Goat cheese
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable broth and salt to a boil.

Step 2

Gradually whisk in the polenta to prevent clumping, then lower the heat to a simmer.

Step 3

Cook the polenta, stirring regularly, for 20-25 minutes until thickened and smooth.

Step 4

Stir in 1 tablespoon of butter and transfer the polenta to a greased 9x9-inch baking dish.

Step 5

Spread the polenta evenly and let it cool completely until firm (about 30 minutes or refrigerate to speed up the process).

Step 6

Once firm, cut the polenta into 8 even rectangles or circles using a cookie cutter.

Step 7

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 8

Cook the polenta cakes for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Remove and set aside.

Step 9

In the same pan, add the remaining olive oil and butter over medium-low heat.

Step 10

Thinly slice the onions and add them to the pan, stirring occasionally.

Step 11

Sprinkle the sugar over the onions and continue to cook for 20-25 minutes until they are caramelized and golden brown.

Step 12

Add the balsamic vinegar to the onions, stir, and cook for another 2 minutes.

Step 13

To assemble, place a small dollop of goat cheese on each polenta cake and top with caramelized onions.

Step 14

Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1678.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2394.7

Total Fat 111.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 45.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.5g
Cholesterol 154.9mg	0%
Sodium 4107.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 282.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.8g	0%
Total Sugars 34.6g
Protein 63.8g	0%

Vitamin D 4.5IU	0%
Calcium 383.6mg	0%
Iron 13.4mg	0%
Potassium 2397.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 42.0%

Protein: 10.7%

Carbs: 47.3%