Oven-Crisped Polenta Fries

Instant polenta makes these crisp-on-the-outside, creamy-on-the-inside polenta fries a breeze to “fry” in the oven. Preheating the baking sheet, generously oiling the fries and coating them with grated Parmesan helps achieve a perfectly crispy exterior. If your oven has a convection function, use it: The circulation of hot air results in more even browning and crisping.

If convenient, the polenta can be cooked and refrigerated in the baking dish for a couple of days. Un-mold, cut and oven-fry it when ready to serve.