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In a 2-quart pot, bring 4 cups cold water to a boil. Add 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and then whisk in polenta. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a low simmer. Cook, stirring often, about 40 minutes, or until polenta is tender and creamy. If needed or desired, add up to 1 cup more water. (I find the amount of water I need varies from day to day, so use your best judgement.) Add sea salt to taste.
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Meanwhile, throughly rinse vegetables and arrange on a towel to dry.
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Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
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Bring a big pot of cold water to a boil. Blanche asparagus 1 - 2 minutes, remove from boiling water with tongs, and set under cold running water. Repeat for the broccoli rabe. Pat vegetables dry with a clean towel.
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Set a 9 or 10-inch skillet over medium/medium-high heat (hot, but not so hot the oil smokes). Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and half the asparagus. Sprinkle with sea salt. Sauté 2 minutes, or just until golden and slightly blistered. Remove to a large platter and set in the warm oven. Repeat for remaining asparagus. To the same skillet, add another tablespoon olive oil, broccoli rabe, and a pinch sea salt, and sauté about 4 minutes. Remove to warm platter. Remove skillet from heat briefly.
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Once skillet has cooled slightly, lower heat to medium, and add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add red pepper flakes and garlic and cook 1 minute. Add arugula or kale, and sauté just until wilted. Sprinkle with sea salt. Spoon mixture over rabe and asparagus. Add sea salt to taste. Top with lemon zest and a squeeze of lemon juice.
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Spoon ricotta into a small bowl and add a pinch each sea salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Drizzle with olive oil.
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To serve, spoon polenta into shallow bowls, pile with cooked vegetables, and dot with ricotta mixture. Garnish with radishes and red pepper flakes to taste.