Griddled polenta with corn & green salsa

Vegetarian
Gluten Free
Health score
33%
Griddled polenta with corn & green salsa
180 min.
6
532kcal

Suggestions

If you're looking for a vibrant and satisfying side dish that's sure to impress at your next gathering, griddled polenta with corn and green salsa is a fantastic choice. This recipe is not only vegetarian and gluten-free, but it also combines creamy, comforting polenta with the bright, fresh flavors of sweetcorn, chilli, and a zesty avocado salsa. The process might take a bit of time, but it's well worth the patience—chilling the polenta allows it to set perfectly so you can achieve those beautiful, crispy edges when grilled.

What makes this dish truly special is the contrast between the warm, slightly charred polenta wedges and the cool, chunky green salsa packed with fresh avocado, cucumber, spring onions, and coriander, all brightened with lime juice and just the right amount of heat from red chilli. The addition of vegetarian Parmesan-style cheese imparts a subtle umami flavor that enriches the dish without overpowering the freshness of the salsa.

This recipe is ideal for anyone wanting to explore gluten-free options or for vegetarians looking to delight guests with something a little different from the usual side dishes. It's perfect to serve alongside a summer barbecue or as part of a colorful mezze platter. Preparing polenta from scratch might stretch to about three hours, largely due to chilling time, but the texture and flavor payoff are exceptional. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a curious enthusiast, griddled polenta with corn and green salsa promises a delicious, visually appealing addition to your culinary repertoire.

Ingredients

  • 375 polenta 
  • 398 sweetcorn drained canned
  •  chilli red deseeded finely chopped
  • 50 vegetarian cheese parmesan-style grated
  •  avocados peeled chopped
  •  cucumber chopped
  •  spring onion sliced
  • small bunch coriander roughly chopped
  •  juice of lime 
  • tbsp olive oil 

Equipment

  • frying pan
  • sauce pan
  • baking pan
  • wooden spoon

Directions

  1. Bring 1.5 litres of water to the boil in a large saucepan. While stirring the water constantly with a wooden spoon, tip in the polenta in a steady stream. Lower the heat so the polenta isnt spluttering too much, then cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 mins. Meanwhile, line a 40 x 30cm tray with baking parchment. Stir the corn, chilli and grated cheese into the polenta with 2 tsp salt, then spoon out onto the tray.
  2. Spread to a rough rectangle, making sure the polenta is packed tightly and there are no gaps. Cover with another sheet of baking parchment and a flat baking tray, then top with some cans or jars to press and flatten the polenta while you chill it in the fridge for at least 2 hrs, or up to a day.
  3. Before barbecuing, mix together the avocado, cucumber, spring onions, coriander, lime and 2 tbsp oil with seasoning.
  4. Heat the barbecue (or a griddle pan), trim the edges off the set polenta to neaten, then slice into 12 wedges.
  5. Brush both sides of each wedge with a little of the remaining oil and barbecue or griddle for 5 mins on each side until charred and hot through.
  6. Serve a couple of wedges per person, topped with a generous spoon of the chunky green salsa.

Nutrition Facts

Calories532kcal
Protein9.24%
Fat37.9%
Carbs52.86%

Properties

Glycemic Index
41.08
Glycemic Load
7.88
Inflammation Score
-7
Nutrition Score
16.992173616005%

Flavonoids

Cyanidin
0.22mg
Epicatechin
0.25mg
Epigallocatechin 3-gallate
0.1mg
Eriodictyol
0.22mg
Hesperetin
0.9mg
Naringenin
0.04mg
Apigenin
0.01mg
Luteolin
0.01mg
Kaempferol
0.11mg
Quercetin
1.61mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:532.29kcal
26.61%
Fat:23.22g
35.73%
Saturated Fat:4.32g
27.02%
Carbohydrates:72.87g
24.29%
Net Carbohydrates:65.04g
23.65%
Sugar:5.37g
5.97%
Cholesterol:5.67mg
1.89%
Sodium:143.43mg
6.24%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:12.73g
25.47%
Vitamin K:45.69µg
43.51%
Vitamin C:27.59mg
33.44%
Fiber:7.83g
31.32%
Folate:88.91µg
22.23%
Vitamin B6:0.44mg
21.9%
Phosphorus:208.1mg
20.81%
Potassium:695.82mg
19.88%
Vitamin E:2.97mg
19.83%
Vitamin B5:1.96mg
19.58%
Selenium:13.06µg
18.65%
Manganese:0.34mg
17.23%
Magnesium:67.69mg
16.92%
Vitamin B3:3.24mg
16.19%
Vitamin A:753.24IU
15.06%
Vitamin B1:0.22mg
14.65%
Copper:0.27mg
13.34%
Calcium:126.14mg
12.61%
Vitamin B2:0.21mg
12.15%
Zinc:1.48mg
9.84%
Iron:1.75mg
9.73%
Vitamin B12:0.1µg
1.67%