Polenta Cutouts
For most people, cookie cutters sit in a drawer collecting dust for over 11 months of the year. I’ve been collecting cutters for years in all different kinds of shapes and sizes, but, admittedly, mine don’t get as much use as they should.
Cookie cutters are obviously great for cookies, but kids have such a blast baking with them that I wanted to use them to help introduce kids to new foods in a fun way. So I came up with these polenta shapes. The recipe is really easy and it’s perfect because you can keep the sheet of polenta in the fridge after you make it and cut them up whenever you want some.
To test out my little experiment, I recently brought a sheet of polenta and a bunch of cookie cutters to our friend’s house for a dinner so the kids could participate in making their meal. They each picked the shapes they liked best — the heart, bear, car and dolphin were my favorites — and proceeded to cut out the polenta shapes. It only took me minutes to pan sear them and let them cool before all the kids were holding their own creation and munching away!
Polenta Cutouts
7 Cups Water
1 13 oz Box Instant Polenta
2 Tsp Salt
3/4 Cup Parmesan
3 Tbsp Butter, plus more for sauteing
1. Line a sheet tray with foil and coat with cooking spray.
2. Bring 7 cups of water and salt to a boil.
3. Add polenta in a slow stream while whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
4. Turn heat to low and continue to stir with a wooden spoon until polenta thickens, 5-8 minutes (you may add more boiling water as needed to keep the polenta a smooth consistency).
5. Turn the heat off and add parmesan and butter. Stir to combine.
6. Pour onto a sheet tray and spread with the back of a spoon to cover the tray evenly. Cool.
7. Refrigerate the polenta for 30 minutes or covered up to 2 days.
8. Remove the sheet tray from the refrigerator and use cookie cutters to stamp out shapes.
9. Heat 1 tbsp of butter in a saute pan over medium heat and cook the polenta shapes for 3-5 minutes on each side or until golden (you can also serve these cold).
10. Eat polenta shapes on their own or serve with a red sauce.
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[...] out your cookie cutters and have some fun with kids. These Polenta Cutouts are a blast to make and delicious to eat all year [...]
[...] Scramble 2 Ways Polenta Cutouts: Pour a bit of the polenta in a bowl and thin with water for baby Baby Beef Stew: Double the recipe [...]
[...] Scramble 2 Ways Polenta Cutouts: Pour a bit of the polenta in a bowl and thin with water for baby Baby Beef Stew: Double the recipe [...]
Any idea if these could be frozen? Maybe after cutting them out, but before cooking them again?
hmm I am sure they can be before cooking them again – let me know if you freeze them, I will try it out too!
Catherine,
These were a huge hit with my 4.5 y/o for his school lunch today. I couldn’t believe it! He loved them and his teachers had no idea what they were. I like puzzling his teachers. It’s fun!
Thanks for another great recipe!
I served them as the bread with sloppy joes. Instead of frying them, I broiled them in the oven to warm them up and make them a little crispy. The kids cleaned me out of them! I can’t tell you enough how much I LOVE your website!
I made these today and decided to freeze them. I plan to defrost a few the night before and pan fry them before serving them. I test-tasted one fully cooked, and they are delicious. I hope freezing them doesn’t affect the flavor or consistency when I make them for the son. I will let you know…
I made these today and decided to freeze them. I plan to defrost a few the night before and pan fry them before serving them. I test-tasted one fully cooked, and they are delicious. I hope freezing them doesn’t affect the flavor or consistency when I make them for my son. I will let you know…
Had no polenta, but made them out of cornmeal for dinner. They were very yummy, kids loved them. Tasted a little like cheesy grits though! Great idea.
how would these be made with regular polenta? I don’t have any instant but do have regular polenta. These look so good!