Review: Cheesy Polenta Casserole

[Emdg]

We had this last night...I was suffering from grocery store burnout. I go the all the grocery stores (another topic entirely!) and come home and don't want to cook. Anyhow, I decided the Cheesy Polenta Casserole with Roasted Bell Pepper Sauce would be easy.

We gave it a solid 8. It is comfort food. You have to be in the mood for tomato sauce flavor...think lycopene http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Next time I may add some spinach as well.

Will probably keep this in mind because I always have all ingredients on hand.

[laughsandlaughs]

What issue is this from?

[Emdg]

oops! sorry. It's from April '01

[Peggy]

I made this last week and agree that it was very easy to put together. It received a 7/10 rating in our household. At first I felt the balsamic vinegar gave it too harsh of a flavor, but when I had the leftovers for lunch the next day, I liked it. Perhaps the flavors blended together better over night...?

I will probably make this again when I need a quick and easy dinner.

Peggy

[misstapioca]

I just made this for dinner last night and i hadn't read this thread yet. I was thinking *spinach* all through the time i was eating it and how good it would be in this recipe. it was funny how EMDG had thought of the same thing. This was really tasty and i loved how 1/4 of a 13x9 pan is one serving and that serving is only 4 wieght watchers points. gee how wonderful!

[mariakj]

Thanks everyone for the reviews. I have really been debating making this since I got my April issue, I just wasn't sure how it would turnout. Now that you mentioned it, adding spinach sounds great. I'll try it and let you know.

[LynnSC]

I made this dish for dinner tonight. I used the sundried tomato and basil polenta and added the spinach as a few people had suggested. I thought it was delicious! My DH liked it also. Of course, I had to make some chicken for him to go with it. He doesn't believe in meals without meat! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif One of my kids actually liked it too! I will definitely be making this again. This was my first time eating polenta.

[eks]

I made this a few nights ago. I used basil and herb polenta. On the first night I had it, I wasn't that crazy about it-the olives seemed to strong. However, I have had the leftovers the past two nights and it has been delicious. I served it as a side dish with the CL Spinach and Artichoke pizza (which was yummy!).

[SusanMac]

EMGD -- I'm the same way. Spend time looking through recipes, making lists, schlepping to the store, and then would rather order take out than spend the night in the kitchen! WebVan was a god-send when I lived in the Bay Area for this very reason.

[jldill]

I liked this one a lot. It was so quick and tasty. Only 5 pts on Weight Watchers and a big serving. The tubes of polenta keep for awhile in the fridge, and the other ingredients (if I remember correctly) are in the cupboard, so this one will go on my list of standbys. My sister tried it and added some sausage. It's the kind of recipe you can add whatever you have on hand, if you want.

[cjm]

I'm wondering if anyone has tried freezing, serving sized portions of this one for quick weeknight meals?

Comments???

[ewatkins]

The tube polenta says not to freeze it. I don't know if it would make a difference after being cooked with the sauce and cheese.

[BosunsWife]

The only place I have been able to find the tube polenta here in Hawaii is a health food store at a very premium price I might add! I wonder if I made my own polenta from scratch and put it in a loaf pan to harden if it would work the same way. I wanted to make the cheesy polenta this weekend for a side dish with grilled chicken.

[lhic4j]

I have been wanting to try this recipe, but I can't seem to find polenta. I'm not even sure what it is, but someone told me I could find it in the produce section. I looked at Kroger, but didn't find it. Any suggestions?

[Peggy]

They have it in the pre-packaged deli section of my grocery store. It comes in a fat tube about 8 inches long and there are several different flavors. I can't think of a "brand" name off the top of my head. Ask at your store. It may be kept in a different section.

Peggy

[valchemist]

I have seen it in the cheese section near the deli (not the regular dairy cheese section, the fancy/gourmet cheese section).

[JJ40]

BosunsWife,

I also cannot find tube polenta. I just make my own on the stove, then pour it into a loaf pan and put in fridge until it hardens. Then you can slice it and do whatever you want with it!

Julie

[JJ40]

Hi Theresa,

I don't have the recipe with me, so I don't have the measurements. Basically, I bought uncooked polenta at the bulk food store, brought it to a boil in water, cooked for about 6-8 minutes, then added some feta cheese and stirred until melted. Then I put it in a loaf pan in the fridge.

If you have the CL Complete Cookbook, there are a couple polenta recipes in there, very similar to what I did.

Julie http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[TheresaM]

Julie, how did you make the polenta ? what are the ingredients...

[Terrytx]

I made this recipe last night, but with a twist. I used Southwest flavored polenta (it has cilantro and something else), a Southwestern marinara sauce and Monterey Jack Cheese. It was great!

[KValley]

This recipe has been on my list for ages and I FINALLY made it last night. Oh, it is soooo good!

I am an admitted (and proud) polenta snob- I would no more use polenta in a tube than I would parmesan in a green can :p, so of course I made my own (it's SOOO easy and so much tastier). I don't think I could rave about this recipe to the degree that I will if I'd had the tube variety.

I also roasted the pepper- had a couple that needed to be used. I added some sliced tomatoes and mushrooms to the sauce as well (Muir Glen sauce).

While the sauce was simmering, I spread the polenta in the baking dish and put it in the fridge to harden. Then I assembled it, let it rest in the fridge while DH and I went to a late afternoon matinee. Took only 20 minutes to heat up once we returned.

We loved it- loads of thick, tomatoe-y sauce over creamy but firm polenta and all that gorgeous cheese on top. With a big green salad and a ripe, dry Syrah, this was such a satisfying meal. A definte repeater.

I LOVE POLENTA!!