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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 minutes 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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Emily
Despite the cool temperatures and wet weather, we Despite the cool temperatures and wet weather, we had another fantastic year at @freshgrassfestival. I can never get over how, in addition to all the incredible music, the event features a great venue (@massmoca), delicious food from mostly local vendors, a great local beer tent and bar stocked with @berkshiremtdist and a kid-friendly atmosphere including a @kidspacemm art tent.
Shout-out to some of my favorite acts of the day @ajleebluesummit, @cj_field with @gregcaproni and @theblacklegacyproject.

Looking forward to next year!
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I am literally weeks behind in my work life and my I am literally weeks behind in my work life and my blog posts, but I just hit publish on my end of August/beginning of September meal plans! Some blogging progress is better than none! Click the link below or visit my profile to see how we used these 2 CSA pick ups from @mightyfoodfarm.
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It's always a beautiful day at the @coastalmainebo It's always a beautiful day at the @coastalmainebotanicalgardens.
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We made our annual trip to @thebistrobox in Great We made our annual trip to @thebistrobox in Great Barrington today, bringing along our 6 year old for the first time. 
Pictured: onion rings, pressed Cubano, BOX burger, raspberry mint iced tea/ (huge) side of fries, grilled hot dog, strawberry lemonade. Everything was delicious and my daughter especially enjoyed trying out the lawn games.
Until next year!
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New on the blog: a list of everything I made for d New on the blog: a list of everything I made for dinner this week. A double @mightyfoodfarm CSA pick up plus hosting my in-laws for dinner resulted in me actually planning quality meals.
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Get the recipe links at https://www.relishments.com/blog/twice-as-good-csa-meal-plan-152/ or click the link in my profile.
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Brian and I finally made it to @ the week before w Brian and I finally made it to @ the week before we went on vacation. I loved the atmosphere, decor, location and, of course, the beer. All eight beers we tasted were delicious and I'm looking forward to going back soon. 
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I made my first ever trip to @seconddropfarm in La I made my first ever trip to @seconddropfarm in Lanesborough this morning to pick blueberries with my daughter. We had a lovely time at the farm, and especially enjoyed the short walk to the lush blueberry bushes, and the beautiful flower and lavender fields. We didn't participate in pick-your-own flowers today, but it's definitely on my radar for the future.
We are looking forward to some muffin baking soon! 🫐
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It's good to be home, but we had a great time with It's good to be home, but we had a great time with Brian's side of the family in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina last week.
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