Polenta Gnocchi
Adapted from The Silver Spoon for Children
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350g polenta (coarse or fine)
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40g parmesan cheese
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a little oil for brushing the tray
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2 teaspoons salt
Step 1 - You will need a baking tray that is about 20cms x 30cms big. Brush a little oil over your baking tray.
Step 2 - Check the instructions on your packet of polenta. Most polenta flours are similar, but it is always worth checking. You will need to measure out the water as directed on the packet, pour it into a big saucepan and bring it to the boil.
Step 3 - Very carefully, pour the polenta flour into the water stirring with a large whisk constantly to ensure that it doesn't go lumpy.
Step 4 - Lower the heat and cook gently and keep stirring all the time until the polenta is thick and smooth. This will take about 3 minutes or the length of time suggested on the packet.
Step 5 - Carefully spoon the poleta mixture onto the baking tray. You might like to use a ladle to do this. Spread out the polenta to make an even rectangle and leave to cool and set (you can put this in the fridge once it starts to cool off).
Step 6 - When the polenta is cold, stamp out the shapes using a cutter-dip the cutter into cold water to stop the polenta from sticking to it. Start cutting the shapoe along one edge of the polenta. You can also try reshaping the polenta once you have cut out some shapes.
Step 7 - Turn the oven on to 180c/350F. Brush a little oil ovre a wide baking sheet. Carefully grate cheese over the polenta shapes and bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown.