polenta

Polenta is one of those things that I wasn't afraid to try, just never got around to making it... maybe a little worried that it would just be plain and boring?  I had randomly grabbed one of those packaged logs if polenta at Trader Joe's several months ago and then it just sat in the pantry after that.  After seeing a recipe similar to the one I made in a magazine at the dentist's office, (during a visit that turned out to be not so fun.  I found out that I have a cavity!  my first one!  my pride was shattered, as I thought I would forever be able to brag that I didn't have any cavities :) ) I was inspired to finally make that the night we tried polenta for the first time.  

And it exceeded my expectations!  It was even good plain, without the tomato sauce and just a little salt and olive oil after it was cooked.  I will make it again, in a some new way.  Any recommendations?

polenta rounds with tomato basil sauce

Polenta:

1 log of polenta (or you could figure out to make it the hard way using instant polenta :) )

olive oil

salt

You can make the polenta a variety of ways - bake it in the oven, cook it in a skillet, etc... I chose to cook it on a grill pan over the stove.  If using a grill pan, place the grill pan on the stove and turn the two burners it covers onto medium heat.  Drizzle the pan with a little olive oil.

Cut the log of polenta into ~1/2" slices.  I think I got 9 or 10 slices out of one log.  Once the grill pan is hot (it will sizzle when you put the polenta on the pan if it's ready), put on the polenta and sprinkle slices with salt.  Cook on each side for 3-5 minutes, or until each side is golden and you can see the lines from the grill pan.

Tomato sauce:

4 roma tomatoes, seeds removed & cut into small pieces 

1/3 - 1/2 c. spaghetti sauce (I used up a jar of roasted tomato & garlic)

2 cloves minced garlic

large handful of fresh basil, chopped

olive oil

salt & pepper to taste

Combine roma tomatoes and garlic with a drizzle of olive oil in a sauce pan.  Cook for just a minute or two minutes to warm tomatoes.  Add spaghetti sauce, basil and salt & pepper.  Cook another couple minutes to warm spaghetti sauce.  Tomatoes should be warm and tender but not mushy.  And it should taste very fresh and delicious!