These crispy polenta croutons are the perfect finger food for toddlers and baby-led weaning fans. They’re soft and creamy on the inside and crunchy on the outside.
Polenta is simply cornmeal boiled into a porridge, and eaten creamy and soft or baked, fried or grilled. It is quick and easy to make (if using the instant variety, of course!). Unlike flour made from wheat grains, cornmeal does not contain gluten, which makes for an ideal food to serve those who suffer from celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Due to its mild flavour, polenta lends itself to a variety of spice and herb combinations as well as preparation methods. My go-to method of preparation is usually soft and creamy, topped with marinara sauce or a mushroom cream sauce. I’ve made Baked Polenta in the past, which is a hit with the entire family so I can say that I have that method of preparation under my belt too.
My son is not much of a fan of the super-creamy texture so I had a go at preparing it differently, in order to encourage him to give polenta another chance. My hard work (well, not so much!) and creativity paid off. He gobbled these up! I do think the fact that he was encouraged to use his hands to eat might have had something to do with it too!
this is the same thing as Mush right??
Nope! They actually come out pretty crispy 😉
I forgot to put my polenta in the fridge! I will try this again and let you know. I’ve been experimenting a bit too much for my hubby’s taste but I’m pretty sure he would love these! Thank you! 🙂
Did you just make these now??! That was quick, lol! Just make sure they are nicely browned…btw, your ITALIAN husband doesn’t like polenta??? Maybe he would like it with some fresh “cinghiale” sauce??
No, I haven’t tried to make polenta since last year when it turned out horrible. My husband does like polenta, just not the time I made it. 😉 We’ve had it with cinghiale sauce and it was delicious, I just can’t replicate it.
Are you cooking with the instant stuff? I don’t always have the time and patience to make “real” polenta, lol! Anyways, the instant turns out just fine, tastes delicious and is so much easier to make 😉
Instant sounds good, I just won’t tell husband! 😉
I bet you 10 euro he won’t notice the difference ;-)))
LOL! You’ve already won, I ‘know’ he wouldn’t notice the difference. 🙂
Making this right now. So easy! I can’t wait for my little people to try it.
So, you’ve made them already?! Were they a hit?!
I think I ate more of them than my little people did 🙂 So quick & easy I will definitely do this again!
I usually pick at them while I’m making them…it’s a wonder there’s ever any left for my son, lol!