Fried Polenta

The fried-polenta is a new way to enjoy the polenta. The homemade polenta, which is then cooled and cut into strips before being fried, becomes crispy. These polenta chips are great with your favorite dipping sauce.

Fried polenta will change your life, my friends. Imagine turning that comforting, creamy bowl of polenta into a crunchy, tasty snack. We're making a crispy snack out of polenta! This is a bit like a magic show, but you can eat it!

This recipe is perfect for satisfying a polenta fries craving. You will make a batch of polenta for just fries!

Trust me, once you've tasted crispy-on-the-outside, creamy-on-the-inside, absolutely divine crispy fried polenta, you're going to want to make this recipe all the time!

You will love this Fried Polenta recipe

• The crispiest outside. These polenta chips are really crisp! The outside of these polenta fries is crispier than French Fries and reminds me more of the crispy exterior on homemade falafel or arancini.
• Creamy Inside. The exterior is crispy and crunchy, but the interior is creamy. Fried polenta is irresistible because of the combination of textures!
• Multiple flavours. This recipe works well on its own but also as a canvas to add flavourful ingredients. Add herbs, spices or vegan cheese before frying the polenta to add extra flavour. Below I'll share some ideas!

Notes on Ingredients

Scroll down the recipe card for the ingredients quantities and the recipe instructions.

• Water
• salt
• Polenta -- You will need the dry grains of polenta, not the polenta in a tube.
• Garlic Powder This gives the fries a savoury taste.
• Olive Oil
• Canola Oil -- Or any other oil you prefer to fry with.
• Vegan Parmesan Cheese I find that the store-bought Parmesan sticks better to the fried polenta than homemade vegan Parmesan, but either can be used.
• Fresh parsley chopped -- For garnish.

Polenta and Grits are the same thing?

Bob's Red Mill is one brand that labels their polenta grits. There is a slight difference between grits and polenta, even though you can use both interchangeably.

Both grits and polenta are made of ground cornmeal but come from different types corn. Grits are usually made with white corn while polenta tends to be made with yellow corn. Another major difference between grits and polenta is texture. Grits tend to be finer and smoother while polenta has a coarser texture.

How to make Fried Polenta

• Prepare. Grease a square baking dish liberally with olive oil.
• Cook polenta. Bring three cups of water in a pot to a rolling simmer. Then, add the polenta and whisk. Continue whisking until the polenta has absorbed the water. Add another cup of hot water along with the olive oil and garlic powder, and reduce the heat until the polenta is thickened.
• Cool. Pour polenta in the pan prepared and smooth into an even layer using a rubber spatula. Cool until room temperature.
• Get ready to fry. Heat up the canola in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Line a dish with paper towel.

• Cut. Spread the cooled polenta on a cutting board. Cut into strips approximately 3 inches long by 1/2 inch thick.
• Fry. In the oil, fry the polenta slices for 3 minutes. Flip them every 30 seconds with a spider skimmer. Transfer the fried cornmeal to a plate.
• Serve. Sprinkle vegan Parmesan on top of the fries and parsley fresh before serving.

Success Tips

• Use a deep pot. As the polenta can spatter, I use a large pot to avoid making a mess.
• Do not skip cooling the polenta. Warm polenta won't hold its shape or keep its form when cut and fried. It will turn into a crumbly mess. Make sure that your polenta has cooled completely before you cut and fry it.
• Monitor the oil temperature. Use a candy-thermometer to monitor the temperature of the oil and adjust heat as necessary to keep it between the 375degF to 380degF.
• Do not overcrowd your pot. If you fry too much polenta all at once, it can stick together and cool the oil down. This will make your fries soggy. Fry in batches and make sure to bring the oil back to temperature after each batch.

Variations

• Add herbs . You can add fresh or dried herbs to the polenta mix. I topped the fries with parsley. You get more herbs in every mouthful! You can choose from thyme, rosemary, basil or even basil.
• Stir in vegan bacon. To add a little savoury flavor, crumble some vegan bacon and stir it into the polenta prior to frying.
• Spice up. Add some cayenne or chili powder for a little extra spice.
• Add cheese. Fold in vegan Parmesan, cheddar, or nutritional yeast to give the polenta a cheesey taste.

Serving Suggestions

I serve polenta as a side dish to a caprese, a chopped cheese, or quinoa hamburgers. Don't forget the dipping sauce for your fried cornmeal! Dips like ranch dressing, marinara sauce or spicy arrabbiata are all great.

How to store leftovers

Store leftovers in a container that is airtight in the fridge for up to three days. Place the fries on a cookie sheet and bake them at 350degF until crisp again. Air fryers also work well!

Can I freeze this recipe?

You can freeze fried polenta. Store it in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to three months. Thaw the frozen food in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it as directed above.

You can also fry the polenta straight from the frozen state. Add a few minutes to the cooking time.

Other Vegan Side Dishes

• Pineapple Fried Rice
• Maple Brussels sprouts with Apples and Pecans
• Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
• Air Fryer Green Beans
• Grilled Zucchini with Lemon Garlic

Enjoy, friends! Please take a picture and tag #jessicainthekitchen if you try this recipe for fried polenta! Please leave a comment and rate the recipe! Thank you!

Fried Polenta is the first post that appeared on Jessica in the Kitchen.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you still eat out at restaurants on a plant-based diet?

Many restaurants are now offering plant-based options on their menus. Many new vegan restaurants are appearing in large cities, providing delicious options for vegetarians. There are also vegetarian-friendly options available in most mainstream restaurants, so there is still plenty of opportunity to enjoy restaurant offerings while eating a plant-based diet. You can find recipes with vegetables or legumes, such as seitan, tempeh, and seitan. You can substitute mayonnaise for healthy oils and high-fat dressings with vinegar or healthy oils. Do not hesitate to ask your server about vegan options or dairy substitutions with almond or coconut milk.

Additionally, consider researching vegan cookbooks in advance for ideas about what proteins can replace meats and rich sauces. Most restaurants will be happy to accommodate guests who are vegan or vegetarian and will try their best to make sure they do. If you're creative and do some research, it is possible to eat out on a plant based diet and enjoy your meal.

Are plant-based diets more costly than other diets.

Plant-based diets don't necessarily have to be more expensive than others. It's possible to eat a balanced and plant-based meal without having to spend much, depending on the amount of food consumed. For example, grains, beans, eggs, nuts, and vegetables like potatoes can be quite affordable and provide an excellent protein source for lower overall costs. You can reduce your food expenses by buying in bulk and taking advantage of sales. Apart from individual ingredients, you can also save money by purchasing ready-to cook plant-based meals.

Is a Plant-Based Diet able to Lose Weight?

Yes, eating a plant based diet can help you lose weight. Eating various fruits and vegetables, legumes and nuts, seeds, whole grains, and other plant-based proteins can provide enough volume to fill you up without adding extra calories from unhealthy fats or carbohydrates. A well-rounded vegan meal plan is usually low in saturated fat and cholesterol-containing foods like red meat and processed snacks that tend to add weight instead of take it away. Research shows that eating a plant-based diet can help increase metabolism and decrease the risk of obesity. Incorporating healthy ingredients high in fiber and stopping the intake of unhealthy sugars, starches, white bread, and pasta can also further support weight loss while still providing important vitamins and minerals the body needs to stay healthy.

Can I eat egg on a plant-based food diet?

A plant-based diet does not allow eggs. This dietary lifestyle eliminates all animal products, including meat, fish, poultry, and eggs. However, many vegan alternatives to traditionally egg-centric dishes can be found that offer the same taste and texture but don't use animal products. Tofu scrambles, omelets, and chickpea flour are excellent breakfast dishes that look and feel like eggs. However, they also contain plant-based proteins. You can use aquafaba (the liquid found inside a can chickpeas) to substitute eggs for vegan egg whites when making meringues. Non-vegan recipes can also be preserved without losing their flavor by using egg substituters such as flaxseed meal, chia seeds or chia seeds with water instead of one large egg.

What are the negatives to plant-based meats?

The main problem with plant-based meat is its lack of essential vitamins or minerals. The amount of essential amino acids found in plant-based meat, including vitamin B12 and hemo iron, is lower than those found in animal protein sources. Because of the large amount of sodium needed to preserve them, some plant-based proteins have higher sodium levels than real meat. Furthermore, purchasing quality vegan products from grocery stores or online outlets can be more expensive and time-consuming. Some vegan alternatives may also require more effort during meals when cooking times are taken into account, as well as potentially longer food preparation times.

Are there any athletes or celebrities who advocate a plant-based lifestyle?

There are many celebrities and athletes who advocate a plant-based diet. Some of these include Kyrie, the NBA's player, Lewis Hamilton, the Formula 1 World Champion, Natalie Portman and Kenneth Farrow who are all NFL running backs. Each have chosen to live a vegetarian/vegan life for their reasons, and they have all achieved amazing results in their sports or creative endeavors. Actress Alicia Silverstone even wrote a book titled Kind Diet, about her experiences with veganism. Novak Djokovic, professional tennis player has credited his successes to his unconventional eating habits of eating mostly organic and vegan foods during competitions. His stats are significantly better since he started this routine. All four professional athletes point to some significant qualities, including heightened energy levels, faster recovery from injuries, and improved overall health and wellness. These success stories show that plant-based diets can help you achieve better athleticism.

Statistics

• In fact, according to research published in the going plant-based can cut grocery bills by $750 a year per person, Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition. (forksoverknives.com)
• A study found that livestock provides just 18 percent of calories consumed globally but takes up 83 percent of farmland. (forksoverknives.com)

External Links

[TAG55]

• How common is vitamin B-12 deficiency? The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

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• What is a plant-based diet? And why should you consider it? - Harvard Health

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• PubMed: The long-term effects of diabetes on beta-cell function


• A 16-Week Randomized Clinical Trial: Plant-Based Dietary Intervention Increases Beta-Cell Function, Insulin Resistance in Overweight Adults - PubMed

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• Effects of Plant-Based Diets on Weight Status: A Systematic Review - PMC


• Professionals in healthcare can now rely on plant-based nutrition.

How To

How do you navigate social situations when eating a plant-based diet

It is not easy to transition to a plant based diet. You will need to manage social situations like dining out with your friends. Be proactive before going out for dinner to ensure that you don't compromise your dietary preferences while still enjoying tasty meals. Confirm the restaurant options beforehand - some places are more vegan-friendly than others - opting for cuisines like Indian and Japanese can give vegetarians multiple alternatives.

If the venue of choice is suitable for vegans, kick-off conversation with friends and family about your preferred food items; this will minimize ordering mistakes at the restaurant eliminating awkward explanations or misunderstandings about your dietary restrictions. Have faith in the chef by trusting their judgment when crafting vegan dishes; chat with them if necessary so that they can better understand how to accommodate your needs best.

You can help make a difference by bringing along healthy snacks and drinks to vegan events. When your vegan relatives start to incorporate vegan recipes, be sure to acknowledge even the smallest gestures.

Although it may be challenging at first, it is possible to manage social situations while adhering to a vegan lifestyle. You will eventually get used to it. Every effort you put into gradual improvement results in small steps.

Resources:

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