Polenta with Roast Mediterranean Vegetables and Balsamic Syrup

10:42 pm on 6 November 2006

Ingredients

Polenta

  • 250g instant polenta
  • 100g grated parmesan
  • 50g butter

Roast Vegetables

  • 6 cloves of garlic, whole with skin on
  • 1 red onion cut into 8 wedges
  • 1 red capsicum cut into chunks
  • 1 aubergine cut into chunks
  • 4 green zucchini sliced into rounds
  • 2 sprigs rosemary
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Maldon sea salt, or other salt flakes

Balsamic Syrup

  • 1 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 cup of soft brown sugar

Garnish

  • 4 tablespoons toasted pinenuts
  • 200g rocket

Method

Polenta

Prepare 250g of instant polenta according to packet instructions.

Stir in 100g grated parmesan and 50g butter.

Pour into shallow square or rectangular dish, cool, then refrigerate.

Roast Vegetables

Preheat oven to 200°C.

Toss the vegetables with olive oil and salt and roast in baking tray for about 30-40 minutes.

Balsamic Syrup

Place balsamic vinegar and soft brown sugar in a pot on medium heat and simmer till reduced by half or looks slightly syrupy.

To Assemble

Cut polenta into 8 triangles.

Sear in frying pan with 2 tablespoons of oil, till golden on either side.

Heat through in oven for 5-10 minutes.

Place two triangles on each plate.

Pile roast vegetables on top.

Top with rocket and pinenuts.

Drizzle with balsamic syrup.

Suggested wines to compliment this recipe

Chardonnay

Te Awa 'Left Field' 2006

Matua Valley Settler 2005

St. Clair Vicars Choice 2005

Herzog 2005