Baked Polenta With Collard Chips

Name: Baked Polenta With Collard Chips
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 8 large collard green leaves, (about 100 g), washed and dried well; 2 tbsp olive oil, divided; 2 1/4 tsp Cajun-Inspired Spice Blend, divided, (see Kitchen tip for recipe); 1/4 tsp salt, divided; 1 small onion, chopped; 1/2 398-mL can diced tomatoes, drained; 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth; 1 cup cornmeal; 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided; 1 540-mL can black beans, drained and rinsed

Prep Time15 mins
Total Time55 mins
Makes4 servings

(Photo: Erik Putz; Food styling by Ashley Denton; Prop styling by Madeleine Johari)

The crunchy collard greens and hearty polenta are perfectly seasoned with a smokey Cajun-inspired spice blend.

Ingredients

8 large collard green leaves, (about 100 g), washed and dried well
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 1/4 tsp Cajun-Inspired Spice Blend, divided, (see Kitchen tip for recipe)
1/4 tsp salt, divided
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 398-mL can diced tomatoes, drained
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup cornmeal
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 540-mL can black beans, drained and rinsed

Instructions

Position rack in centre of oven and preheat to 325F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment. Spray four 1-cup ramekins with oil.
Cut out stems from collard green leaves and discard. Tear greens into 2-in. pieces and transfer to a large bowl. Massage 1 tbsp oil into leaves, and then sprinkle with 1/4 tsp spice blend and ⅛ tsp salt. Arrange in a single layer on prepared sheet. Bake until greens are dry and darkened, about 12 min. Transfer to a rack to cool. (They will crisp up as they cool.) Increase oven temperature to 375F.
Heat a medium saucepan over medium. Add remaining 1 tbsp oil and 2 tsp spice blend, and then onion. Cook until onion softens, about 3 min. Stir in tomatoes, broth and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil. Slowly whisk in cornmeal. Stir in 1/2 cup cheese, beans and remaining ⅛ tsp salt until cheese melts. Reduce heat to low and cook for 15 min.
Set prepared ramekins on a baking sheet. Divide mixture among ramekins. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese overtop. Bake until cheese is golden and bubbly, 8 to 10 min. Serve with collard chips on the side.

Kitchen tip

Get the Cajun-Inspired Spice Blend recipe.

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spice blend polenta