Crispy Polenta Chips with Roasted Red Pepper Basil Cream
🧀 Appetizers
Intermediate

Crispy Polenta Chips with Roasted Red Pepper Basil Cream

An original appetizer featuring baked polenta chips until crisp, served with a smooth roasted red pepper, yogurt, and basil cream. It offers contrasting textures, vibrant color, and a Mediterranean-style flavor perfect for sharing.

20 minPrep
35 minCook
55 minTotal
4Servings
Vegetarian

Ingredients

Adjust servings
4
  • 120 g instant polenta (for the base crujiente)
  • 500 ml water (for cocinar the polenta)
  • 5 g salt (divided)
  • 30 g grated Parmesan cheese (for mezclar with the polenta)
  • 30 ml olive oil (divided entre chips and cream)
  • 140 g roasted red bell pepper (pelado and without semillas)
  • 120 g plain Greek yogurt (for the cream)
  • 10 g fresh basil (leaves sueltas)
  • 6 g garlic (chopped)
  • 15 ml lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 g black pepper (to taste)
  • 0.5 g red pepper flakes (optional, for a toque picante)

Nutrition facts

per serving

210 kcal
Calories
8 g
Protein
23 g
Carbs
10 g
Fat
2 g
Fiber
21 g
Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

Dairy

Instructions

  1. 1

    1. In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add 3 g of the salt and slowly pour in the polenta while whisking to prevent lumps.

  2. 2

    2. Cook the polenta for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and 1 tablespoon olive oil, mix well, and remove from the heat.

  3. 3

    3. Spread the hot polenta onto a lined tray or pan, making a layer about 1 cm thick. Let it cool for 15 minutes until firm.

  4. 4

    4. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Cut the firm polenta into triangles or sticks. Arrange them on a baking sheet with space between each piece and brush with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.

  5. 5

    5. Bake for 25 minutes at 425°F (220°C), flipping halfway through, until the chips are golden and crisp around the edges.

  6. 6

    6. Meanwhile, make the cream: in a blender or food processor, combine the roasted red bell pepper, Greek yogurt, fresh basil, garlic, lemon juice, the remaining 2 g salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Blend until smooth.

  7. 7

    7. Taste the cream and adjust salt or lemon if needed. Chill until serving so it thickens slightly.

  8. 8

    8. Serve the polenta chips warm or slightly hot with the roasted red pepper basil cream for dipping.

Chef tips

For crispier chips, let the polenta cool completely before cutting and bake it on parchment paper. The cream also works well as a spread for toast or sandwiches.

Substitutions

You can replace Parmesan with a similar aged vegetarian hard cheese. Greek yogurt can be swapped for thick plain yogurt. If you do not want heat, omit the red pepper flakes.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

  • Illustrative image: Countertop blenderIllustrative image

    Ninja Professional BL610 Blender

    Smoothies, sauces and soups

    • Smoothies, sauces and soups
    • Easy-to-wash jar
    • Check the power and jar size
    View on Amazon
  • Illustrative image: Air fryerIllustrative image

    Cosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer

    Browning and baking with little oil

    • Browns food with very little oil
    • Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
    • Check the basket capacity
    View on Amazon
  • Illustrative image: Chef’s knifeIllustrative image

    Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife

    Chopping, slicing and cutting strips

    • The knife I use most when cooking
    • Chops, slices and cuts into strips
    • Keep it sharp and hand-dry it
    View on Amazon

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