Chicken Parmesan Meatballs with Soft Polenta

 From Michael Symon on his Symons Dinners Show - this can be made on a grill but because of our winter weather we made ours in the oven! So light so creamy so good! Kevin would have like it kicked up a little bit more!

Meatballs

1 1/2 pounds ground chicken 

1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese 

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan 

1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs 

1/2 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 

2 cloves garlic, grated 

1 large egg 

1/2 medium yellow onion, grated 

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 

Sauce

Extra-virgin olive oil, for the pan 

2 cloves garlic, sliced 

1 sprig fresh oregano 

1/2 medium yellow onion, diced 

One 28-ounce can tomato puree 

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 

Topping and Serving

8 ounces sliced fresh mozzarella 

Soft Polenta, recipe follows 

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan 

Torn fresh basil leaves, for serving, optional 

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil  

1 cup yellow cornmeal or polenta 

4 tablespoons unsalted butter  

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Directions: 

Prepare a grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build hot coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only to medium-high heat. 

For the meatballs: Combine the ground chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, nutmeg, garlic, egg and onion in a medium bowl until just mixed. Do not overwork. Season with salt and pepper. Divide the mixture into 8 portions and roll into balls.  

Heat a cast-iron pan on the hot side of the grill until nice and hot. Brush the pan with enough olive oil to liberally coat the surface, about 3 tablespoons. Place the meatballs in the pan and cook, flipping them, until all sides are caramelized, about 3 minutes. Move the pan to the indirect-heat side of the grill and cover the grill. Cook for 5 minutes. 

For the sauce: Add the garlic, oregano and onion to the pan with the meatballs and saute until the onions begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the meatballs, then add the tomato puree and 1/2 cup water. Season with salt and pepper. Cover the grill and continue to cook until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is reduced slightly, 10 to 15 minutes. 

For topping and serving: Top the meatballs with the mozzarella, cover the grill and cook until the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes. Discard the oregano sprig. Spoon the meatballs on top of the Soft Polenta. Spoon any remaining sauce over top and serve topped with the Parmesan and basil if using.  

(Alternatively, you can cook the meatballs and the sauce as directed in a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop over medium heat, then transfer the skillet to a 400 degrees F oven for 10 to 15 minutes before melting the cheese.) 

Soft Polenta: 

Add 4 1/2 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt (website says 1 T I think its a typo -way too salty )and the olive oil to a medium sauce pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the cornmeal in a steady stream, until it is all incorporated and smooth. 

Reduce the heat to medium low and continue to cook at a simmer until the polenta is creamy and fully hydrated, 30 to 40 minutes.

 

Take the sauce pot off the heat and whisk in the butter and Parmesan. Season with additional salt and pepper. 

Transfer the polenta to a large serving bowl.