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Golden Polenta Fries Recipe First Image

Polenta Fries with Parmesan Aioli


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  • Author: Chef John
  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Crispy polenta fries served with a flavorful Parmesan aioli.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 ½ cups yellow cornmeal
  • ½ cup + 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan, (divided)
  • ¼ cup olive oil, (divided)
  • Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup avocado oil mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
  • 1 lemon, (zested and juiced)
  • ½ teaspoon grated fresh garlic

Instructions

  1. Coat an 8½×12-inch baking sheet (quarter sheet pan) with nonstick spray.
  2. Boil water in a large saucepan over high heat. Gradually add polenta, stirring constantly with a whisk. Reduce heat to medium; cook polenta until thick and beginning to pull away from sides of pan, 3–5 minutes.
  3. Off heat, stir in ½ cup Parmesan and 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Spread polenta evenly onto prepared quarter baking sheet. Press plastic wrap onto surface; chill until firm, at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.
  4. Heat oven to 400° with rack in center position. Coat a large baking sheet with nonstick spray.
  5. Uncover polenta and turn polenta out onto a cutting board by placing a cutting board over sheet and flipping upside down; tap to release polenta from sheet. Cut polenta into 4×½-inch strips. Separate fries and arrange on prepared baking sheet in a single layer; drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and season with salt and pepper.
  6. Bake fries 30 minutes, then flip and continue baking until brown, 10–20 minutes turning fries every 8 minutes or so to achieve even browning.
  7. Meanwhile, whisk together mayonnaise, remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan, chives, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, ½ teaspoon lemon zest, and garlic; season with black pepper to taste.
  8. Let fries cool briefly on pan to crisp before serving with Parmesan aioli.

Notes

  • Can chill polenta for up to 2 days for convenience.
  • For extra flavor, consider adding herbs to the cooking water.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 300mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 24g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg