Polenta Sliders

Name: Polenta Sliders
Ingredients: Nonstick cooking spray; 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; One 24-ounce tube prepared polenta, sliced into sixteen 1/3-inch thick slices; 2 medium tomatoes, cut into eight 1/4-inch thick slices; 2 small red onions, sliced into eight 1/4-inch thick rounds; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 12 ounces lean ground beef; 24 fresh basil leaves

11 ingredients

16 steps

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
One 24-ounce tube prepared polenta, sliced into sixteen 1/3-inch thick slices
2 medium tomatoes, cut into eight 1/4-inch thick slices
2 small red onions, sliced into eight 1/4-inch thick rounds
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces lean ground beef
24 fresh basil leaves

Directions

1

Special equipment: parchment paper
2

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and coat with nonstick cooking spray.
3

Combine the oil, garlic, oregano and pepper flakes in a small bowl.
4

Arrange the polenta, tomato and onion slices on the prepared baking sheets.
5

Brush the tops of the polenta and vegetables with the herbed oil.
6

Sprinkle the vegetables with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper.
7

Roast until the vegetables are soft and beginning to caramelize, about 25 minutes.
8

Gently combine the ground beef with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl.
9

Shape into 8 patties about 2 1/2 inches across and 1/2 inch thick.
10

Spray both sides with nonstick cooking spray.
11

Heat a large nonstick skillet on high for two minutes and arrange the patties in the skillet spaced evenly apart.
12

Reduce to medium high and cook for about 1 1/2 minutes per side for medium-rare.
13

Allow patties to rest for 5 minutes before assembling sliders.
14

Assemble the sliders: On a work surface, place 8 polenta rounds herb-side down and top with 3 basil leaves, slightly overlapped on each.
15

Top basil with a patty, tomato and onion slices.
16

Sandwich with the remaining polenta rounds, herb-side up, and serve 2 sliders per person.