Ingredients

1 1/2 cups milk

1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup honey

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup quick-cooking polenta

1/4 cup currants

1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

3 blood oranges, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds

1/4 cup whole almonds, coarsely chopped

Preparation

Combine milk, 1/2 tablespoon butter, 1/4 cup honey, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to low. In a steady stream, slowly pour in the polenta, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. After all the polenta has been incorporated, cook 5 minutes more. Stir in currants.

Transfer mixture to an ungreased 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-by-2 1/2-inch loaf pan. Let polenta stand in pan until cool, about 40 minutes.

Invert loaf pan, and remove polenta. Slice loaf into 12 bars.

Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange polenta bars in skillet, working in batches, if necessary, and saute until golden on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

Remove polenta from skillet, and arrange on serving plates.

Return skillet to medium heat. Add remaining 1/4 cup honey and orange juice; bring to a boil. Add orange rounds and almonds; quickly toss together. To serve, pour honey sauce over polenta bars.