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Fried Polenta, Asparagus, Hen Egg, and Spicy Goat Cheese

Chef Sonya Coté
A plain fried egg gets dolled up with bright, spring flavors and is served on top of fried polenta for a satisfying breakfast or snack.

Ingredients
  

POLENTA

  • 2 cups vegetable oil for frying, plus more for greasing pan
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion about 1 medium-size onion
  • 1 cup coarsely ground cornmeal
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • Salt to taste
  • Ground black pepper to taste
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • ¼ cup heavy cream

SAUCE

  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 4 ounces soft fresh goat cheese Coté prefers the fresh goat cheese from Pure Luck Dairy in Texas
  • Cayenne pepper to taste
  • 1 garlic clove finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

TO ASSEMBLE

  • 1 pound asparagus trimmed of tough ends
  • 6 fresh eggs
  • Fresh parsley roughly chopped, for garnish

Instructions
 

POLENTA

  • Lightly oil a quarter sheet pan. In a small bowl, combine the onion, cornmeal, sugar, salt, and pepper. In a small saucepan, combine the stock and cream, heating the mixture to just under a boil. Whisk the dry ingredients into the saucepan of liquids, lower the heat, and cook until very thick, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and pour the polenta onto the oiled half sheet pan, pressing into an even layer. Chill for 4 to 6 hours or until completely firm.
  • When thoroughly chilled, cut the polenta into about 3-inch-size triangles. Pour the 2 cups of oil into a medium skillet set over high heat. Place a few pieces of polenta into the hot oil, frying on both sides until golden brown, 45 seconds per side. Remove from oil with a slotted spoon, and drain on a wire rack. Continue with remaining polenta. Drain the excess oil from the pan, and wipe clean. Set pan aside to sauté the asparagus.

SAUCE

  • In a small saucepan, bring the milk and cream to a low simmer. Add the goat cheese, cayenne, garlic, and mustard, whisking until combined. Using an immersion blender in the pan or transferring the sauce to the pitcher of a regular blender, process the mixture until smooth. While blending, gradually add the olive oil and the lemon juice. Salt and pepper to taste. Return the mixture to the saucepan, and simmer on low until it has thickened and reduced by a quarter, about 20 minutes.

TO ASSEMBLE

  • In the polenta pan, sauté asparagus until tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from pan.
  • In the same pan, fry the eggs to desired doneness. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • On a plate, arrange a couple of pieces of polenta, and top with goat cheese sauce. Pair with a few stalks of asparagus topped with a single fried egg. Continue with remaining ingredients to fill six plates. Garnish with parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes