I mentioned recently that I’ve become a bit fixated on polenta. What happened, as happens often in my kitchen, and not just with polenta but with other ingredients as well, is this: I found a recipe that got me all inspired, bought a bag of the main ingredient (in this case, polenta) and then got multiply inspired when I busted open the bag and started cooking/tasting.
In this case, this recipe from The Kitchn was the catalyst. I’d been wanting to create a polenta tart ever since I first came across it. I even went and bought this cute little tart pan on Amazon. But alas, as you can see, the tomato polenta tart recipe was posted late last summer, which is when I first saw it, so my tart pan ended up sitting around for quite a while before the bug got me again and inspiration for a breakfast polenta tart was born. The creamy polenta recipe I posted last week ended up coming first, for no other reason than the fact that it was super easy, so I decided to throw it together for a quick weeknight dinner. When the weekend rolled around and I had some time more time to fool around in the kitchen, this lovely creation was born.
I have to say, I was pretty darned impressed with myself, not just because it was so tasty, but because it turned out so pretty. I had some family stop by the house later in the day and remark at the leftovers: “That was breakfast today?” Yes, it was thank you. It isn’t difficult to get this thing to turn out pretty though. It’s simply the kind of dish that lends itself to prettiness. It’s also an unusual addition to your breakfast collection, so if you’ve got some brunch company that you want to impress, this is your dish.
Breakfast Polenta Pear Tart
Ingredients
For the Polenta Crust
- 4 cups unsweetened unflavored non-dairy milk of choice
- 1 tbsp. maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 cup polenta
Toppings
- 1 ripe pear thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup pecan halves
- 1 1/2 tbsp. maple syrup plus extra for serving
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. melted vegan margarine
Instructions
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Place milk, maple syrup and salt in medium saucepan and bring to a simmer.
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Whisk in polenta and continue to simmer, whisking very frequently, for about ten minutes. Your mixture should be pretty thick.
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Allow to cool for about five minutes.
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Preheat oven to 375.
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Spray 9" tart pan with cooking spray and pour in polenta mixture. Spread mixture as evenly as possible with a spoon and/or hands.
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Bake for twenty minutes.
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Arrange pear slices and pecans on crust. (Be gentle with the pecans. They won't stick very firmly - a little maple syrup will help them to bake in place.)
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Drizzle with maple syrup and margarine and sprinkle with cinnamon.
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Place back in oven and bake for another ten minutes. Allow to cool for just a few minutes before serving.
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Top with maple syrup.
What an unusual idea! It looks beautiful and reminds me a little of ‘halva’, the syrupy desserts made of tapioca-type things in the Med and the Middle East. I’m sure it was a beautiful brekky!
Thanks Helen! This is lighter than any halva I’ve ever had, but I’ve only had halva made from sesame. Now I’ve got halva on the brain though and I might need to explore…Thanks for the inspiration :)
ohhh this DOES look like halva but much healthier. Next time I am making you Carrot Halva (need to think vegan though) :) http://topshef.wordpress.com/2010/11/21/gajar-carrot-halva/
That sounds delicious!! Feel free to make it for me any time :)