Sponsored By

Cool recipe alert: Corn polenta with gazpacho sauce and corn relish

Mike Buzalka, Executive Features Editor

October 31, 2019

1 Min Read
Terra_Verde_Showing-polenta.jpg
Appalachian State Dining Services

Appalachian State University in North Carolina recently transformed a station into an all-vegan option. Called Terra Verde (green earth) the station’s vegan transformation has seen a doubling of sales over its predecessor (read more about Terre Verde here). This polenta recipe is one of the student-favorites served at the station.

YIELD: 40 servings

Corn Polenta

4¾ qts. vegetable stock

5½ cups polenta

10 cups corn, roasted

1 cup green onions, chopped

¼ cup parsley, chopped fine 

salt and pepper to taste

Gazpacho Sauce

6 vine ripe tomatoes

3 Tbsp. white wine vinegar

5 tsp. kosher salt

2 tsp. fresh ground white pepper

5 tsp. sugar

18 oz. Nunez olive oil

Corn Relish

12 ears corn, roasted and kernels cut off cob

2½ cups quartered heirloom tomatoes

2 jalapenos, shaved

1 cup chopped scallion

2½ cups apple cider vinegar

1½ cups sugar

2 Tsps. celery seed

2 Tsps. mustard seed

½ cup chopped cilantro

1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

  1. To make polenta: Bring stock to boil and slowly stir in polenta. Reduce heat and stir often. Add corn. Reduce heat and slowly continue to cook. When polenta is cooked and not grainy, about 25 minutes, fold in green onions and season with parsley and salt and pepper. Spread mixture on sheet tray and bake in 350°F oven for 10 minutes to help it set. Cool, then cut into 40 pieces.

  2. To make gazpacho sauce: Puree tomatoes and strain through a china cap, then place in a blender with the vinegar, salt, pepper and sugar. Emulsify olive oil into tomatoes, taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

  3. To make corn relish: Combine all ingredients, which should produce about a gallon of relish.

  4. To construct final dish: Spread 1 ounce of gazpacho out with ladle in circular motion underneath each polenta square, then top with 1¼ ounces of corn relish.

 

Source: Appalachian State Dining Services

About the Author

Mike Buzalka

Executive Features Editor, Food Management

Mike Buzalka is executive features editor for Food Management and contributing editor to Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News. On Food Management, Mike has lead responsibility for compiling the annual Top 50 Contract Management Companies as well as the K-12, College, Hospital and Senior Dining Power Players listings. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Literature from John Carroll University. Before joining Food Management in 1998, he served as for eight years as assistant editor and then editor of Foodservice Distributor magazine. Mike’s personal interests range from local sports such as the Cleveland Indians and Browns to classic and modern literature, history and politics.

Mike Buzalka’s areas of expertise include operations, innovation and technology topics in onsite foodservice industry markets like K-12 Schools, Higher Education, Healthcare and Business & Industry.

Mike Buzalka’s experience:

Executive Features Editor, Food Management magazine (2010-present)

Contributing Editor, Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News (2016-present)

Associate Editor, Food Management magazine (1998-2010)

Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1997-1998)

Assistant Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1989-1997)

 

Subscribe to FoodService Director Newsletters
Get the foodservice industry news and insights you need for success, right in your inbox.