Skip to main content

Polenta Pizzas with Roasted Tomatoes and Olives

3.8

(12)

A beautiful, colorful and delicious appetizer. Open a bottle of Sangiovese with dinner.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup polenta (coarse cornmeal) or yellow cornmeal
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
2 teaspoons dried oregano
8 large plum tomatoes, ends trimmed, each tomato cut crosswise into 3 slices
1/2 teaspoon sugar
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 cup oil-cured black olives, pitted, halved
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Line 15x10-inch rimmed baking sheet with foil. Combine 4 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt in heavy large saucepan. Bring to boil. Gradually add polenta, whisking until smooth. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until polenta thickens and pulls away from sides of pan, whisking frequently, about 30 minutes for polenta and 15 minutes for yellow cornmeal. Whisk in butter and 1 teaspoon oregano. Pour out polenta onto prepared baking sheet; spread evenly to edges of sheet. Chill until firm, at least 2 hours or overnight.

    Step 2

    Preheat oven to 300°F. Line another large baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange tomato slices in single layer on prepared sheet. Sprinkle tomatoes with 1/2 teaspoon sugar, then some salt. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil. Roast until tomatoes are tender but sides are firm and slices still hold together, about 2 hours. Cool. (Polenta and tomatoes can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and chill.)

    Step 3

    Preheat oven to 450°F. Line another large baking sheet with parchment paper. Using 1 3/4- to 2-inch-diameter cookie cutter, cut out 24 rounds from polenta. Place rounds in single layer on prepared sheet. Top each round with 1 tomato slice. Sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon oregano. Top each with 2 or 3 olive halves. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil, then sprinkle with Parmesan.

    Step 4

    Bake polenta pizzas until heated through and cheese melts, about 10 minutes. Serve warm.

Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
This vibrant cilantro pesto recipe blends blanched herbs, Cotija cheese, garlic, and toasted pepitas. Toss with pasta for a fresh and bold spaghetti pesto.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
Hawai‘i's beloved fried chicken is crispy, sweet, and savory.
Saucy, soy-honey salmon—cut into cubes to speed up the cooking process—makes a savory topping for a quick weeknight bowl.
In this lasagna, soft layers of pasta and béchamel are interspersed with a rich tomato sauce laden with hearty Mediterranean vegetables.