Polenta Fries with Roasted Red Pepper Ketchup
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 1/4 cups yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup grated smoked Gouda cheese (about 4 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
- 1/2 cup (or more) olive oil
- All purpose flour
- Roasted Red Pepper Ketchup
- Lightly oil 13 x 9-inch metal baking pan.
- Bring milk, 1 cup water and butter to boil in heavy large saucepan.
- Gradually whisk in cornmeal.
- Reduce heat to low and cook until polenta is very thick and starts to pull away from sides of pan, stirring often, about 8 minutes.
- Remove from heat.
- Stir in cheese, basil and thyme.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Immediately transfer polenta to prepared baking pan, spreading evenly to cover.
- Refrigerate until cool and firm, about 1 hour.
- (Can be prepared 1 day ahead.
- Cover and keep refrigerated.)
- Cut polenta lengthwise in pan into three 3-inch-wide rectangles.
- Cut each rectangle crosswise into 3/4-inch-wide strips.
- Set polenta strips aside.
- Preheat oven to 300F.
- Heat 1/2 cup oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place flour in pie plate.
- Lightly coat polenta strips with flour; shake off excess.
- Working in batches, fry polenta strips until golden brown on all sides, adding more oil if necessary, about 5 minutes.
- Using slotted spoon, transfer fries to paper towels and drain.
- Place fries on baking sheet and keep warm in oven while cooking remaining batches.
- Transfer fries to large platter and serve with Roasted Red Pepper Ketchup.
milk, water, butter, yellow cornmeal, gouda cheese, fresh basil, thyme, olive oil, flour, red pepper
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/polenta-fries-with-roasted-red-pepper-ketchup-101843 (may not work)