Polenta finger or chips makes a perfect side dish, appetizer or a snack. Polenta chips are crispy and delicious and great to snack any time of the day. I just could not stop myself from eating these. These fries have a crisp exterior and a soft interior. In fact, I love to have my polenta like this. I have made it in desi style and I absolutely loved it. You can make this for party or get togethers. Instead of the regular french fries, try these healthy polenta fries for a change and I am sure you will love it. Today we will learn how to make polenta fingers (Indian style) following this easy recipe with step wise pictures.
Polenta Chips-Polenta Sticks
Prep Time : 10 mins (excluding setting time)
Cook Time : 30 mins
Serves: 2
Recipe Category: Snacks-Appetizer-Polenta
Recipe Cuisine: Indian
Author:Padhu Sankar
Serves: 2
Recipe Category: Snacks-Appetizer-Polenta
Recipe Cuisine: Indian
Author:Padhu Sankar
Ingredients needed
Polenta – 1/2 cup (quick cooking polenta)
Water – 2 cups
Carrot – 1/4 cup finely grated
Ginger-green chilli paste – 1 tsp or as needed
Salt to taste
Butter – 1 tbsp
Oil as needed for tawa fry
5 inch square tray
For the quick tomato dip
Garlic – 4 cloves
Tomatoes – 4-5 big juicy ones
Chilli powder – 1/2 tsp
Salt needed
Oil – 2 tbsp
Dry Herbs of your choice(optional)
Preparation
Grease a 5 inch tray/baking tin with butter or oil and keep it ready. Wash, peel the skin and grate carrots finely.
Method
In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to rolling boil. Add ginger-green chilli paste (1/2 inch ginger piece + 1-2 green chilli ground to a paste), finely grated carrots and salt needed.
Reduce the heat to low, then add polenta gradually, with one hand and stir continuously with your other hand to prevent formation of lumps. Cook the mixture stirring continuously.
The polenta will start to thicken immediately. Add a tbsp of butter and mix well. Check for salt. If needed add now.
Spread the cooked polenta evenly in the prepared baking tray and leave it to cool. Then cover and refrigerate the mixture for 1 hour or until firm. You can do this a day ahead and refrigerate it overnight as I did.
After removing from the refrigerator –
The polenta is well set now. Invert the tray onto a cutting board or plate.
Place it on a cutting board and cut polenta into strips and then into 1/2 inch x 3 inch sticks as shown below.
Grease tawa/skillet with oil (I used extra virgin coconut oil) and place the polenta sticks/fingers. Do not over crowd. Then drizzle a little of oil around each polenta sticks. Fry all sides on low heat flipping over the polenta fingers.
Fry until golden brown on all sides. Repeat the same process for the rest of the polenta fingers. Enjoy warm with any dip or chutney.
Tomato Dip/Sauce
Blend the tomatoes and keep it aside. Finely chop garlic.
Heat oil, add finely chopped garlic and saute for a few seconds.
Add the tomato puree, salt needed, chilli powder and cook on medium heat stirring from time to time until the mixture thickens.
Add herbs of your choice. I added dry thyme and parsley.
Dip polenta chips in the tomato sauce and enjoy !!
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| Indian style Polenta finger with quick tomato sauce |
You can also have it with salad for a filling meal.
Baked Polenta chips
Coat oil all over the polenta sticks and bake in a preheated oven at 180 degree C until crispy and golden brown. Flip over the polenta sticks in between for even browning.
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What is polenta?Unable to makeout.What is it in Tamil?Is it an Italian ingredient?Want to try?
Check https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polenta. Yes, it is an Italian dish. It refers to a porridge made from coarsely ground cornmeal. Also check my breakfast polenta for more details.
Hi… Is polenta available in the stores ….never heard of… your dish looks good too.. let me give a try…. bye…
Try to get polenta from the imported section of supermarkets.
Was so easy to prepare. The tawa method took a bit long and more oil than the baking one. Loved both though!