Question for all my fashion friends:
When will Christmas bows come into style?
For our Christmas Eve party, I decided on a recipe that originated from a cookbook. But, par for the course when I try to follow a recipe, my impulsive hands had to do their own thing. This is how Polenta Casserole (nicknamed “Christmas Polenta Casserole” for the party) came into existence.
Polenta Casserole, with a healthy dose of nutritional yeast.
Above, after sittin’ pretty in the oven for a while. Below, the polenta dinner, pre-baking:
Christmas Polenta Casserole
- 2-3 bell peppers, chopped (I used 220g)
- 4 cups zucchini, sliced (I used 560g)
- 1 onion, chopped (I used 120g)
- 2T soy sauce (such as tamari)
- 4 cups kale (or other greens), chopped (I used 110g)
- 1 tsp each parsley, dill, onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp oregano and basil
- 2/3 cup (or more as desired) jarred or homemade pasta sauce
- 1 cup cornmeal (I used whole-grain polenta)
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast, plus more for the top
1. Sauté the first three ingredients, in sautéing liquid of choice (oil, water, or broth), over high heat for 5 minutes. Then cover and simmer 5 more minutes. Add tamari and cook on low (covered) for 5 more minutes.
2. Add all remaining ingredients (except polenta), as well as 1/2 cup water. Stir and cover again. Cook until veggies are soft. Serve over cooked polenta (made with a little salt), and sprinkle nutritional yeast on top, as desired.
*For a true casserole, put the cooked polenta in an oiled pan and bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Then put the veggies on top, sprinkle with lots of nutritional yeast, and bake again for 35 minutes. But I am lazy and therefore will probably skip all these baking steps next time!
Amidst all of the lamb and pork and macaroni, this casserole was definitely the most festive-looking dish at the party. I’d say it was the most-tasty, too… but obviously I’m biased.
Looks DELICIOUS. I love each and every single one of your recipes, that I have seen, and honestly spend hours each day exploring your site (aside from the occasional link to FoodieFiasco, which actually distracts me more than it should). You are by far my favorite, though. 😉
ANYWAY, nutrition facts? I’d never had any trouble before finding them on your site but can’t seem to find any for this particular recipe.
P.S. – Consider a soft shell tortilla recipe, as well as a pizza (cauliflower, vegan, anything outside of the box)?
For the “true casserole” where you say to put the veggies on top of the cooked polenta, do you put all the “cooked until soft veggies” on the polenta before putting it back in the oven, or will some be uncooked at that point?
Hi Katie. I’m trying this now but am also confused about a few things like the others. I’m also lazy and like to minimize steps. So I cooked vegetables separately and polenta is in the oven. So do the softened vegetables go on polenta and rebake?
It would be great if you could rewrite recipe steps with clarity for all the questions. Thank you for all the amazing recipes