Jalapeno Cheddar Polenta (244 Cal) & Black Beans (175 Cal)

pocketmole
pocketmole Posts: 614 Member
I made this dish last night and really loved it. It was a hit all around. The recipe is posted here on my blog as well:

http://www.goudamonster.com/2012/09/black-beans-w-jalapeno-cheddar-polenta/

If you want it extra spicy you can double up on the jalapeno without affecting the calorie budget much. I ate these together (nice alternative to rice and beans) with some homemade pico de gallo.

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Jalapeno Cheddar Polenta

Ingredients

1 Cup Coarse Grind Cornmeal
3 Cups Water
1 Bouillon Cube (I use Not Chick’n)
1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated
1 Jalapeno Pepper, diced (remove seeds for less heat)
1/4 Cup Milk (I used almond milk)
1 Teaspoon Butter

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Using a little bit of your butter, grease the inside of a small baking dish. My dish is approximately 3-4 cups.

2. There are two ways you can do this. I make my polenta in the rice cooker, which means I dump the water, stock cube, spices, and polenta into my rice cooker and set it for 20 minutes. I come back to give it a good stir and it’s ready to eat. If you don’t have a rice cooker you can do pretty much the same thing on a stovetop by covering your pot. The more traditional way to make polenta is to bring your cooking liquid to a simmer, add your polenta, and stir regularly until it’s thick and yummy (20-30 minutes).

3. This step is optional: In a small bowl microwave your diced pepper for about 20-30 seconds, just to take a little of the crunch out.

4. Add your jalapeno, 3/4 of the cheese, and milk to the polenta and stir until combined. Transfer to your small buttered dish, smoothing down the top so it’s relatively flat.

5. Melt your remaining butter. Sprinkle top of polenta with 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese and drizzle with butter.

6. Bake for 15 minutes, uncovered. Pop the broiler on for a few seconds at the end if you want your cheese more brown and bubbly.


polenta1_sm.jpg

Seasoned Black Beans


Ingredients

2 Cans Low Sodium Black Beans
1 Can Diced Tomatoes with Chiles, drained
1/2 Onion, diced
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder (or mince a clove of garlic)
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Dried Cilantro
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
1 Bay Leaf
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
12 Reduced Salt Green Olives, sliced
1/4 Cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a sauce pan and cook your onions (and garlic if applicable) until slightly translucent.
2. Add canned beans, tomatoes, olives, and all seasonings. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Stir in fresh cilantro. Add a squeeze of fresh lime if you like.

Replies

  • GeneveSparkles
    GeneveSparkles Posts: 283 Member
    YUUUUUUMMMMMY! Thanks!
  • HazelCaz
    HazelCaz Posts: 48 Member
    Wow, another winner. Thanks so much.
  • awilmeri
    awilmeri Posts: 218 Member
    That looks amazing!
  • Evansmama29
    Evansmama29 Posts: 84 Member
    I have never made polenta - but I'm gonna now!! This looks great! thanks
  • meshamoo
    meshamoo Posts: 200 Member
    bump
  • Mmm looks tasty. And I love your blog! Thanks for sharing.
  • AlichiaMJohnson73
    AlichiaMJohnson73 Posts: 186 Member
    bump
  • That looks absolutely delicious...I'm stealing it...but I'll reference you :-)
  • pocketmole
    pocketmole Posts: 614 Member
    I have never made polenta - but I'm gonna now!! This looks great! thanks

    polenta is amazing! there are a lot of different ways to prepare it, so if this doesn't work for you don't be too quick to give up on it. :D i used coarse grind cornmeal for this recipe because i prefer to use whole grains, but it's not available at every grocery store. regular polenta would work just fine.
  • funkyspunky872
    funkyspunky872 Posts: 866 Member
    Oh this looks absolutely amazing.
  • citizencrp
    citizencrp Posts: 228 Member
    Amazing. I have all of this in my kitchen already. Voila!
    Can't wait!
  • KRaemondH
    KRaemondH Posts: 120 Member
    BUMP BUMP BUMP THIS LOOK AMAZING!! IM MAKING THIS THIS WEEKEND!
  • Evansmama29
    Evansmama29 Posts: 84 Member
    I have never made polenta - but I'm gonna now!! This looks great! thanks

    polenta is amazing! there are a lot of different ways to prepare it, so if this doesn't work for you don't be too quick to give up on it. :D i used coarse grind cornmeal for this recipe because i prefer to use whole grains, but it's not available at every grocery store. regular polenta would work just fine.

    Found the coarse grind cornmeal at the store - I'm making this for lunch today - and I'll let you know what I think. I'm definitely never afraid to try anything new - you should see the crazy amount of different foods I have in my pantry - just because they sounded fun to make - and this sounds delicious!! Better yet, doubt my hubby will even try it - so it will be ALL MINE - LOL
  • naveej
    naveej Posts: 73 Member
    bump for later..thankx
  • Reinventing_Me
    Reinventing_Me Posts: 1,053 Member
    oooooohh!!! i'm sooo going to make this! thanks!
  • Evansmama29
    Evansmama29 Posts: 84 Member
    I just made the Polenta - AWESOME!!! Thanks so much for this recipe!
  • pocketmole
    pocketmole Posts: 614 Member
    I just made the Polenta - AWESOME!!! Thanks so much for this recipe!

    So glad to hear! I really loved this dish :D