Fast Recipes

Soft polenta with calamari, pancetta and sage

Australian Gourmet Traveller fast recipe for soft polenta with calamari, pancetta and sage.

By Lisa Featherby & Alice Storey
  • Serves 4
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Soft polenta with calamari, pancetta and sage

Ingredients

  • 40 ml olive oil
  • 50 gm mild pancetta, diced
  • 450 gm calamari, scored and sliced into 3cm pieces
  • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp sage, plus extra to serve
  • 1 tsp dried chilli flakes, or to taste
  • 10 gm butter, coarsely chopped
  • Juice and finely grated rind of 1 lemon
Soft polenta
  • 500 ml chicken stock (2 cups)
  • 200 gm instant polenta
  • 60 gm parmesan, finely grated
  • 40 gm butter, coarsely chopped

Method

Main
  • 1
    For soft polenta, heat chicken stock in a saucepan over medium-high heat. While whisking continuously, add polenta in a thin steady stream and stir over medium heat until cooked (3-4 minutes). Add parmesan and butter, season to taste, cover to keep warm and set aside. When serving, add a little extra stock or milk if needed.
  • 2
    Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat, add pancetta and stir until crisp (2-3 minutes). Increase heat to high, add calamari, garlic, sage and chilli and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden (2-3 minutes). Add butter and lemon juice and rind, season to taste and serve scattered with sage on soft polenta.