Grilled Polenta Cakes

Polenta is a versatile alternative to pasta, bread or rice ,and is especially suited to meat dishes that have plenty of sauce. It is a paste or dough made from cornmeal. It can be made from scratch or packaged. I found this roll in the specialty food aisle. It is a very convenient product pre-cooked and ready to heat and serve. Polenta in northern Italy is as popular as pasta in the south. It is fat free /gluten fee.

A popular Ever Ready recipe previously posted using polenta

Harvest Sausage Veggie and Apple Dinner with Polenta
http://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2017/10/harvest-sausage-veggie-and-apple-sheet.html

Grilled Polenta Cakes
Cook's Notes: These cakes do triple duty. Use as an appetizer for your next BBQ and dazzle your guests with a creative dish or serve as a main meal with a side. The sauce was made the day before and used for a spaghetti dinner. I reserved some of the sauce to use next day for grilled corn cakes. A prepared can of tomato sauce can be substituted but not as flavorful.  
Recipe adapted twopeasandtheirpod.com and makes 6 cakes using 1/2 roll of polenta.

Ever Ready Semi-Homemade Spaghetti Sauce 
Cook's Notes: This sauce is more flavorful on the second day. 
Ingredients:

• 3/4 lb. ground Italian sausage 
• 1 jar of prepared Marinara sauce 
• 1 can Diced Tomatoes with Basil and Garlic (do not drain) 
• 1 tsp. dried parsley flakes
• 1 tsp. dried Italian herbs

Directions:

• Cook and crumble meat, drain on a paper towel
• In a large saucepan add sauce, canned tomatoes, herbs, and sausage. Mix well and simmer on low for an hour uncovered. 

Polenta Cakes
Ingredients: 

• 1 tube polenta 
• olive oil
• 1-1/4 cups sauce 
• Grated Parmesan cheese or use 3/4 cup from package of Mixed Italian cheeses
• Chopped fresh basil
• Cracked pepper  

Directions:

• Cut six slices 3/4 inch thick. Pat dry with a paper towel. Brush both sides with olive oil and set aside. 
• Heat a grill pan until really hot. Lay polenta in one layer in pan and grill 8 minutes a side. Grill until both sides are golden, crunchy and have grill marks. 
• Just before ready to serve preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone pad. 
• Place a heaping tablespoon of sauce on each slice, top with cheese.

• Bake 15 minutes. 
• Garnish with  fresh chopped basil, salt cracked pepper and serve warm.