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Cheesy Polenta with Tomatoes and Chickpeas

Published on March 16, 2016 By Emily. Updated on August 8, 2020

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Sometimes, Mother Nature is just mean.  A week ago, it seemed like spring was really here.  The sun was shining, temperatures were in the seventies and all our winter concerns seemed like a distant memory.  This week, the weather has been rainy and cool and there’s snow in the weekend forecast.  Though it isn’t right to complain about a winter that barely was, I’m ready to dive fully into spring.  I want the flowers that are starting to peek out from the dirt in my garden to blossom and I want to stop wearing my winter coat.  I know the time will come soon and I am so ready.

cheesy polenta with tomatoes and chickpeas 2

However, it’s still a bit too soon to put away winter comfort foods.  Cheesy polenta is a weeknight meal I enjoy making because it’s delicious – creamy, warm and rich – but also because I almost always keep the ingredients on hand, making it a great solution for a night when I might not have planned something else.  Try as I might, sometimes my menu plans fail me and I need to come up with something else in a hurry.

ingredients - cheesy polenta with tomatoes and chickpeas

This recipe has a very short ingredient list.  Polenta is just coarsely ground cornmeal and I would imagine you could find it at any grocery store.  I usually buy mine from the bulk bins at Wild Oats Co-op in Williamstown, but look near the grains, flours or Mexican products in your supermarket.

Cheesy Polenta with Tomatoes and Chickpeas

Print Recipe
Total Time 30 mins
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups canned diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup dry polenta coarse cornmeal
  • 1 cup chickpeas
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Combine the milk and 1 and 1/2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the mixture is just about boiling.
  • Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, mix together the canned tomatoes, chickpeas and Italian seasoning. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally. If the mixture begins to boil, turn it to low while you wait for the polenta to be ready.
  • When the milk/water mixture is nearly boiling, slowing pour in the polenta while simultaneously whisking together the liquid and the solid cornmeal. Turn the heat to low and continue to whisk for about 10 minutes, or until the polenta is thick and creamy.
  • Add the cheddar cheese to the polenta mixture and fully combine using the whisk. If the mixture becomes too thick, add water (about 1/4 cup at a time) and continue to whisk until your desired consistency is reached.
  • Taste the polenta and the sauce and add salt and pepper if needed.
  • Serve by topping the polenta with the tomato and chickpea sauce.
  • Enjoy!

cheesy polenta with tomatoes and chickpeas

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Filed Under: food, recipe, vegetarian, vegetarian main dish, weeknight Tagged With: vegetarian

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Comments

  1. melissa says

    March 30, 2016 at 4:51 am

    You’re lucky! I arrived in Ireland in winter and now I’m heading back to South Africa in Autumn! Summer seems like a distant memory to me. I don’t know when I will feel a good absorption of vitamin D again!

    This polenta looks amazing!

    http://www.melodramaticadventures.com

Trackbacks

  1. More Delicious Veggies (CSA Menu Plan #54) | Relishments says:
    June 12, 2016 at 9:31 pm

    […] creamy polenta topped with kale and kielbasa – follow steps 1-3 of this recipe for the polenta […]

  2. I’m Back? (CSA Menu Plan #71) | Relishments says:
    January 23, 2017 at 12:36 pm

    […] Creamy polenta with kale and white beans with roasted acorn squash […]

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It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it t It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it to our second annual strawberry picking at @mountainviewfarm413, which included E's first tractor ride (she was very excited). We picked about 9 pounds of strawberries and I'm looking forward to eating them! 🍓
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I don't have clear words to express my feelings ab I don't have clear words to express my feelings about the state of the world lately. As a teacher and a mother, it has been extra difficult this week to be fully present in my roles without thinking about innocent lives that should have had longer on Earth. How what has happened in each of the many mass shootings this year can happen anywhere. If you are feeling sad and frustrated too, you are not alone.

I don't have answers, but I'm trying to take care of myself and my biological and school families. I'm saying "I love you" a lot to my children and my students. I'm closely following and sharing the work of @everytown while contacting my state and federal representatives and the president. I'm going for walks and getting fresh air and trying not to overload on news. I'm sharing good resources in my stories as I see them.
UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @aloh UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @alohr3!

 @thelazygenius' second book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen, is finally here and I'm so excited! I don't purchase many books, but I pre-ordered this last July because I knew it would be right up my alley and then I pre-ordered a second copy because I knew that I'd want to give one away.

Author Kendra Adachi has been one of my favorite voices in recent years. Her principles (shared through her first book, The Lazy Genius Podcast and her Instagram) have helped me focus my priorities and give myself more grace. 

This book is NOT a cookbook (it has just 2 recipes), it is a kitchen guide - to help you "have what you need, use what you have, and enjoy it like never before". It is beautiful (full color!) and thoughtful.

I'm very excited to send this book to one of you.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment below with one of your greatest kitchen struggles. 
I'll draw a winner at 8 pm on Friday, May 6.
This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or The Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi.
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This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berk This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berkshire Teacher and Social Worker Appreciation Day free admission. After enjoying the student Art Invitational exhibit, the 4 of us took in several of the other galleries. Mass MoCA always impresses and it was delightful to be able to be out in the world with my kids.
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My January and early February menu plans for my @m My January and early February menu plans for my @mightyfoodfarm vegetables are finally up on the blog. See how we're making use of these beautiful items, as well as the items from the other pick up we made in the past month. 
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One of my favorite things to do is bake from scrat One of my favorite things to do is bake from scratch.
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