Polenta Hearts 1 quart hot water
Salt
1/3 cup polenta cornmeal (aka instant polenta)
2 tablespoons butter
Nonstick cooking spray
2 tablespoons olive oil
Heart-shaped cookie cutter
Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Add salt to taste and return to a rapid boil. Slowly whisk the polenta and stir for approximately 5 minutes. Stir in butter.
Spray an oven dish or sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray. Pour polenta into dish and spread evenly to make a 1/2-inch layer. Chill in refrigerator for about 1 hour. Punch out heart shapes with the cookie cutter and set aside.
Heat a nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add the olive oil and sear polenta hearts until golden on both sides and heated throughout.
Salmon with Salsa
Marinade:
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce
1 tablespoon pineapple juice
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1 clove garlic, mashed
Pineapple Salsa, recipe follows
Place salmon filets in a resealable plastic bag. Combine marinade ingredients in a non-reactive bowl or measuring cup. Pour marinade over filets and refrigerate from 1 to 24 hours.
In a grill basket sprayed with cooking spray, grill the salmon, skin side down, over hot coals. Flip after 2 to 3 minutes and cook for another 1 to 3 minutes, or until desired doneness. Serve with pineapple salsa spooned on the side.
Pineapple Salsa:
1 medium size ripe tomato, chopped into small cubes
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 pickled jalapeno pepper slices, deseeded and finely chopped
1/2 cup pineapple chucks, fresh or canned
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
Place all ingredients in a small, non-reactive saucepan. Simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes. Cool. Refrigerate until ready to serve with the salmon.
Individual Strawberry Trifles
Marinated strawberries:
1 quart fresh strawberries, halved
1/3 cup aged balsamic vinegar
Whipped cream:
3 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 (1 pound) fresh pound cake
1/3 cup amaretto liqueur
2 amaretto cookies, for garnish
Demerara sugar, for garnish
In a small shallow casserole dish, toss the strawberries with vinegar and let stand at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes. After the strawberries have marinated, check for sweetness, adding sugar if desired.
In a large bowl using an electric mixer, whisk the cream to soft peaks. Add the vanilla and confectioners' sugar. Whip until stiff peaks. Set aside.
Using a serrated knife, slice pound cake lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick slices. You will only need 4 slices. Using a 2-inch cookie cutter, cut out circles from each cake slice. Line up 2 high ball glasses and place 1 cake circle in the bottom of each. Brush cakes with amaretto liqueur. Add 2 tablespoons of marinated strawberries and spread evenly. Using a different tablespoon, add a large dollop of whipped cream and spread evenly. Add a second layer of cake, pressing down lightly. Brush with amaretto liqueur. Add 2 tablespoons of marinated strawberries and spread evenly. Top with a large dollop of whipped cream, spreading evenly. Use remaining cake, cream and strawberries to create a more humble trifle dish.
Cover trifles with plastic wrap and refrigerate for impromptu indulgence, Keeping in mind that it will store for up to 2 days.
To serve, remove and discard plastic wrap. Grate amaretto cookie on top and sprinkle with demerara sugar.