Guest Post: Cynthia’s Simple Polenta Pizza

I discovered Cynthia this fall through Healthy Living Blogs-it was so exciting to meet another blogger just minutes from my home!  We’ve been hanging out routinely ever since and she was quick to respond to my desperate email for help lightening my load this week.  She sent along this recipe for Simple Polenta Pizza and I’m really excited to try making it-maybe next week when I don’t have time for anything else!  Thanks Cynthia!

Hey Relishments readers!  I’m Cynthia from It All Changes and am responsible for Emily’s addiction to canning this summer.

Sorry Brian, but I’m sure you are enjoying the easy food now. 

Emily and I bonded over our love for food and meal planning…it just makes everything easier.  We love simple meals for our busy schedules.

Even the best laid plans can be pushed aside when life intervenes – like Emily’s busy days ahead.  Some days dinner options are what you can throw together with pantry ingredients or ordering take-out.  I’ve learned this the hard way and so has my wallet, so we keep ingredients for several easy meals on hand.

One busy day Hunni wanted pizza and all the dough had mysteriously disappeared into his stomach during lunches. Lucky for you readers my improvised recipe was fantastic and has been repeated several times in our home.

Simple Polenta Pizza

You’ll need:

• One tube prepared polenta…I prefer flavored versions.
• One can diced tomatoes…walk on the wild side and choose fire roasted or with added chilies.
• One can beans of choice…We used Cuban spiced black beans or you could always make your own beans from dry.
• Shredded cheese of choice…Cheese and I aren’t friends, hence the Daiya.

Be brave with Mexican blend or Italian or Asiago.

• Salsa or Guac to top.

I’m sure you have these ingredients or similar variations in your pantry right now…Go look, I’ll wait.  If you are missing any, purchase them.  They are perfect for this recipe and so many more variations.

Now how to assemble this masterpiece.

1. Poke hole in polenta tube over sink to drain liquid. Trust me on this or you’ll be cleaning the floor too.
2. Press polenta into even layer in casserole dish.  This replaces the pizza crust.  No need to prebake because tubed polenta is precooked.
3. Drain and lightly rinse beans as well as draining some liquid from canned tomatoes.
4. If you drain too much just add a touch of salsa. At this point if you aren’t using seasoned beans or tomatoes throw in whatever spices strike your fancy from the pantry.  Cumin, oregano, basil and garlic are a good combo. Layer on top of polenta.
5. Top with cheese.  The amount is up to you. Since you aren’t ordering out for pizza you can double the cheese without doubling the costs.
6. Bake for approximately 20 minutes…give or take.  We don’t like crunchy cheese so 20 minutes was perfect. The fun of throw together recipes is you can tweak them however you like.
7. Plate and top with salsa/guac.  Then go back for seconds and maybe thirds because it is so delicious.

The key to a quick meal without a plan is a stocked pantry.  Keep the basics on hand and experiment with creations like this.

What are the things you HAVE TO keep on hand at all times?