Cuban Appetizer Recipes
Polenta Fries with Spicy Ketchup
I don’t think you’re ready for today’s delicious recipe. After trying polenta fries in a local pizza shop, I was SOLD! Picture rectangular logs that taste like sweet, savory corn, crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. They were so DELICIOUS, that I knew I had to bring…
- Ready 2 hours
- Serves 8 servings
- Prep 15 minutes
- Cook 55 minutes
In case you don’t know, polenta is a rich, creamy Italian porridge-style dish made by boiling cornmeal. These polenta fries make a great appetizer or side dish for any day of the week!
Here’s how you make them!
Recommended For This Recipe
8×8 Baking Dish
This is one of my favorite non-stick baking dishes! It is so easy to clean and cooks super evenly.
How To Make Polenta Fries
What is polenta made out of?
Polenta is a dish made of coarsely ground corn that’s cooked until a creamy porridge.
What does polenta taste like?
Polenta tastes like corn! It has a similar flavor and texture to grits.
Can I make polenta fries ahead of time?
Yes! You can make this recipe 2 days in advance. Just make the recipe up to step 3 and refrigerate for more than 1 hour.
How do I store leftover polenta?
You can store leftover polenta fries in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
Can you reheat polenta fries?
To reheat polenta fries, bring them to room temperature then place them on a baking sheet. Bake them for 10 minutes at 400ºF or until crispy again.
Recipe
Polenta Fries with Spicy Ketchup
Polenta fries made in the oven to crispy baked perfection then served with homemade spicy ketchup. A delicious appetizer or side dish!
- Serves 8 servings
- Prep 15 minutes
- Cook 55 minutes
- Total 2 hours
Ingredients
Polenta Fries
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups coarsely ground corn grits (or polenta)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Spicy Ketchup
- 12 ounces tomato paste
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons chopped onions
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 3 teaspoons sugar
- Salt + pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1
Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper making sure the parchment is hanging over the sides of the dish.
- 2
In a saucepan, heat the chicken stock over medium heat then whisk in the grits or polenta. Reduce heat to low and continue to stir for 15-20 minutes or until mixture has thickened.
- 3
Add butter, grated Parm cheese, salt and pepper. Stir until smooth then transfer to an 8×8 baking dish. Spread the mixture evenly on the dish and wait until completely cool. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
- 4
While you wait, make the spicy ketchup. In a saucepan, add tomato paste, garlic, onions, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce, sugar, salt and pepper. Heat for 5 minutes at medium heat, stirring often. Cool then refrigerate until ready to serve.
- 5
Preheat oven to 450ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
- 6
Remove the polenta from the baking dish and cut into fries, approximately 2-inches wide by 3-inches long. Transfer the fries to the baking sheet and spray with cooking spray.
- 7
Bake polenta fries for 40 minutes, flipping halfway through at the 20 minute mark, until golden brown. Be careful not to burn them! Remove from the oven. Serve with spicy ketchup. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving1 serving
- Calories245 kcal
- Carbohydrates33 g
- Protein11 g
- Fat8 g
- Saturated Fat4 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat1 g
- Monounsaturated Fat2 g
- Trans Fat1 g
- Cholesterol20 mg
- Sodium535 mg
- Potassium149 mg
- Fiber1 g
- Sugar1 g
- Vitamin A294 IU
- Calcium163 mg
- Iron1 mg
