Mediterranean-Style Grilled Polenta
Are you on the hunt for a new appetizer to take to your next friend or family get-together? These Mediterranean-Style Grilled Polenta bites are going to be your new go-to! They are packed full of flavor and always a crowd-pleaser!
If you’re unfamiliar with polenta, it is comforting food made from ground cornmeal that can be served hot as a porridge or cooled and made into a loaf that can then be sliced and baked, fried, or in this case, grilled. You can easily make your own polenta, but for this dish, I’ve chosen to use a pre-cooked tube to keep the prep simple and quick.
Polenta is also a gluten-free, low-fat grain that is packed with antioxidants, fiber, and protein. Though low in calories, it’s still full of complex carbohydrates which fuel our energy levels.
The grilled polenta is topped with burrata, a soft Italian-style cheese. It provides a depth of flavor that is unbeatable! You could also use freshly sliced mozzarella cheese if you prefer, but the texture will be a little different as mozzarella is a bit more elastic.
Roasted red peppers and basil are two ingredients that give an extra layer of flavor that you won’t want to skip. Red peppers are high in vitamins A and C, though roasting the peppers does lower the vitamin content a small amount.
Basil is a leaf from the mint family that is used in many Mediterranean meals. It is known for its fragrance and adds a distinct flavor to any meal. Basil also provides some macronutrients such as Vitamin K, calcium, and antioxidants.
Grilled Whole Wheat Naan Pizza!
Interested in another dish of mine that uses fresh basil? Check out this Grilled Whole Wheat Naan Pizza!
If you make this Mediterranean-Style Grilled Polenta (recently featured on the Domestic Dietitian’s Mediterranean Diet blog) leave a comment and let me know what you think! Or, tag me on Instagram.
Enjoy!
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Mediterranean-Style Grilled Polenta Recipe
Mediterranean-Style Grilled Polenta
Ingredients
- 1 2-pound tube pre-cooked polenta
- 8 ounces (1 cup) Burrata
- ½ cup roasted red peppers (or 1 large roasted red pepper)
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves (packed)
- 3 medium tomatoes sliced into 1/4th-inch thick rounds
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning (dried)
- Kosher salt to taste
- black pepper freshly ground to taste
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Slice polenta into 12 ½-inch-thick slices and brush each side with olive oil.
- Lightly oil grill surface and grill polenta slices for about 4 minutes on each side or until lightly browned and crispy. Remove from heat.
- Top each slice of polenta with 1 tablespoon cheese, a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, a slice of tomato, a roasted red pepper and 2 basil leaves (in that order).
- Serve immediately. Yields 6 servings (2 slices per serving).
Nutrition Facts
Calories
230Fat
13Sat. Fat
6Carbs
23Fiber
2Net carbs
21Sugar
2Protein
9Sodium
198Cholesterol
27
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