Crisp on the outside and tender on the inside these delectable vegan polenta cakes are super versatile in the vegan kitchen. A tasty go-to when you have a vegan tomato sauce simmering on the stove and have tired of pasta or a fun change for breakfast, especially if you have a tangy chutney to pair with the polenta cakes. You can even use the vegan cakes in place of bread; just add your favorite vegan sandwich fillings for a yummy vegan lunch.

Vegan Polenta Cakes

Makes 12 cakes

Ingredients:

• 6 cups water
• 2 cups dry polenta or stone-ground cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup shredded vegan cheese
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh herbs of your choice
• 1/2 cup liquid egg substitute
• 2 tablespoons soy milk
• 1-1/2 cups panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
• Pinch of cayenne

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk together cornmeal, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
2. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring often, for 20 minutes or until polenta is very thick.
3. Stir in olive oil, vegan cheese, and herbs and remove from heat. Continue to stir until cheese melts.
4. Line a 13×9-inch baking dish with heavy duty plastic wrap. Spoon polenta into dish and let cool for 15 minutes.
5. Spray a second piece of plastic wrap with cooking spray and place right on top of polenta. Place dish in refrigerator for 2 hours or until firm.
6. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 425 degrees F. and spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
7. In a shallow dish, whisk together egg substitute and soy milk. In a second shallow dish, combine panko and cayenne.
8. Cut polenta into 12 squares. Dip each square in egg substitute mixture  then dredge in panko. Place squares on the prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned.

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