Good morning! I love waking up on Saturday morning and not wanting to move. A small part of me wished it was sunny so I could go for a nice run outside, but that’s okay. Instead I woke up kind of late for me (8 am) and made some coffee. I had a small malfunction because my coffee grinder broke mid-grind. I had to use my food processor and blender to grind up the beans, which I thought was pretty innovative, kind of like the time I used a paper towel for a coffee filter.
Yesterday I went food shopping because I wanted to make some food for a friend from work. Her daughter has been going through some not so good times and I wanted to do something for them. I made 2 trays of baked ziti, one for her family, 1/2 for my grandma and aunt and 1/2 for Danny. I also made them a loaf of bread, which is always torturous when you cant eat it when it comes out of the bread machine.
For dinner Danny had some baked ziti and I wanted to try something new. I saw polenta pizza a couple of different places in the blog world, so I decided to try it. I cooked the polenta first on the stove.
I decided this pyrex would be the best pan/dish to use.
I put some sauce on top that I made for the ziti. I used a little too much because it made the baking time REALLY long. I added mushrooms, squash, red onion and tomatoes to the top.
Done. It gets brown and crispy around the edges.
yum.
Deep Dish Polenta Pizza
adapted from here
Ingredients
- 1 cup polenta (not instant)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1 ounce)
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- Whatever toppings you want:
- I used:
- 3 T tomato sauce
- 5-6 slices of mushrooms
- 1/4 squash, sliced thin
- 1/2 vine ripened tomato
- 5 thin slices of red onion
- Directions
- Heat oven to 400° F. Spray a 9-inch springform pan or pie plate with non stick spray; set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2¼ cups water to a boil. Whisking constantly, slowly add the polenta. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring, until the polenta starts to pull away from the side of the pan, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Using a spoon, spread the polenta over the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pan.
- Spread tomato sauce over the top of polenta. Add toppings. Cook in a 400 degree oven for about 35-40 minutes, until the sides are brown and crispy. (I had to cook mine for an hour because I added too much sauce!)
Enjoy!
This is a great pizza alternative. 1/4 cup of polenta (which is 1/4 of the pizza) is only 180 calories!
I also finished up this ice cream and added another 1/2 banana to it!
Have a great weekend! Stay dry if you are getting soaked like we are here in NY!
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
YUM YUM!!! Thanks fo sharing!! Happy Saturday!!
What a wonderful and original idea! I must remember it ^_^ Happy sunday
What a yummy pizza! I love polenta, never prepared it myself, can you believe that! Shame on me. Your display has so inspired me, I'm going to try preparing your polenta pizza this week. Have a great weekend!
That looks SO good!
Very kind of you to make a few meals for your friend.
That pizza looks delish!! I've never cooked with polenta before but seen it around the blogs. Must try soon.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
I never thought to do this… Wow Gluten Free Pizza!!
wow! what a great idea!
very nice bravo love this and so healthy
I've never thought of using polenta as a pizza base – good job!
I have made polenta fries though – yum!
http://biz319.wordpress.com/2009/12/31/polenta-fries/
This is one pizza I have to try! I would love the crust. I've seen some polenta casseroles, but nothing like this, so similar to a pizza. Your choice of toppings looks delicious.
I LOVE polenta, it's such a great way to get all that carb-y feeling without easting pasta. Mmmmm.
just added your blog to my aunt mar's favorites!!
I need to make this!! I have a new found obsession with polenta!
You're totally innovative and sweet too! So nice of you to make food for those peeps!
that looks so colorful and pretty! that is my hubs' kind of food, he would just adore that recipe!
WOW! That looks really different! Definitely worth trying!
PS I just made your tuna yesterday- deeeeelicious!
That pizza looks BOMB! Pizza is probably my favorite food, so I'll take it in just about any form
I also love polenta…it has such great flavor and texture. I'll have to give this a try one of these days, for sure!
AH! we just made a polenta pizza this weekend! i got it from the moosewood cookbook. looks delish! xo