Baked Polenta Bites with Spicy Chorizo Red Pepper Sauce & Garlic Lemon Aioli

Ingredients

Polenta Bites

1. 1 roll pre-cooked polenta

2. 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

3. 1 teaspoon garlic powder

4. 1 teaspoon dried thyme

5. 1 teaspoon dried oregano

6. 1 teaspoon salt

7. 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Spicy Chorizo Red Pepper Sauce

1. 1 cup diced tomatoes

2. 3/4 cups roasted red peppers, diced

3. 3/4 cups raw chorizo [pork or beef]

4. 2 garlic cloves, minced

5. 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

6. 1/2 teaspoon regular paprika

7. 1/2 teaspoon aleppo pepper

8. 1/4 teaspoon cumin

9. Salt & pepper to taste

Cheat Garlic Lemon Aioli

1. 1/3 cup mayo

2. Juice of 1/2 a lemon

3. 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

4. Salt & pepper to taste

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Total time: 45 minutes

Servings: 2

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 400 [F] degrees. Meanwhile, dice up the pre-cooked polenta tube into equal sized cubes, about 1/4-inch thick. Place polenta cubes in a bowl & season with olive oil, garlic powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt & pepper.

2. On a parchment paper-lined baking tray, spread out polenta cubes & then bake for 30 minutes, rotating rack & flipping cubes halfway through.

3. While polenta bites bake, make the spicy chorizo red pepper sauce. In a medium saute pan over medium-high heat, start sautéing raw chorizo. Let chorizo cook for about 2-3 minutes, then add minced garlic cloves. Saute for 2-3 more minutes until garlic is fragrant. Next, add in diced tomatoes & diced red peppers, smoked paprika, regular paprika, aleppo pepper & cumin. Lower heat to medium & let sauce simmer for about 5-7 minutes. Next, season with salt & pepper & taste for seasoning. If the sauce needs more salt, pepper or spices, adjust according. While you wait for polenta bites to finish baking, lower heat to low, cover pan & let sauce simmer to keep warm.

4. Next, make the cheat garlic aioli. In a small bowl combine mayo, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt & pepper to taste. Mix until combined & taste for seasoning, adjusting accordingly.

5. Once polenta bites are done baking, transfer them to a shallow bowl. Cover with spicy chorizo red pepper sauce & small dollops of the garlic lemon aioli. Squeeze some lemon juice on top & enjoy!