These easy Caprese polenta stacks come together in under 20 minutes for a fast, delicious side!
The Caprese flavors just do it for me. I mean, how can you go wrong with tomato, basil and mozzarella? Or maybe it's because I'm lucky enough to have actually visited the island of Capri in Italy. Possibly the most beautiful place in the world. I'm pretty much OK with anything they do there: Caprese combinations, limoncello, gelato, boat rides, hiking up and down to the water, evening strolls through town... Sigh. At least I can let food take me back.
These polenta stacks make use of the Caprese flavors and pair them with some sliced polenta rounds. Everything fits together so nicely and neatly. That makes me happy. Type A here.
I opted for pre-cooked, pre-made polenta for this. It's an easy shortcut and I've usually got some on hand. However, you can absolutely make your own if you prefer.
Regardless, you just pan-fry the polenta slices, heat the tomato slices with some balsamic vinegar and assemble your stacks. Go as high as you like!
And then grab a knife and slice through this fresh, cheesy, divine combination. It'll whisk you away to Italy.
Buon appetito!
Caprese Polenta Stacks
Ingredients
- 2 (18 oz.) logs cooked polenta, cut into half-inch slices
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (or combination)
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 slices fresh mozzarella cheese (or about ½ cup shredded)
- 2 large tomatoes, sliced in ¼-inch slices (8 total slices)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, plus extra for drizzling
- 8 basil leaves, plus extra for garnish
Instructions
- Heat butter and/or olive oil in a large saute pan over medium high heat.
- Add polenta slices and cook for 3-4 minutes, until slightly browned.
- Flip the polenta slices and season with salt and pepper. Cook for one minute, then top with mozzarella (slices or shredded) and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until cheese is melted.
- Remove polenta and place on paper towel to soak up extra oil/butter.
- Meanwhile, place tomatoes in the same pan and cook for one minute. Flip the tomato slices over, add balsamic vinegar and cook for one more minute. Remove tomato slices from the heat.
- Layer one slice of cheesy polenta, one slice of tomato and a basil leaf, then repeat and end with a cheesy polenta slice. Make four of these.
- Drizzle each polenta stack with extra balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with extra basil, if desired.
- Behold. And then devour.
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Nutrition
** What's your favorite international regional food specialty?
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