Green Chili Polenta with Beans and Rice

The first time I had polenta, I thought, "This is the Mexican corn-bread." Well, it is. Polenta is made from corn meal and has a mushy consistency before you cook it. I found mine at Trader Joe's. They have an organic polenta that comes in a tube like breakfast sausage. For my vegetarian friendly cooking habits, it's a great find.

This polenta is not your momma's polenta--probably because your momma never made polenta. But it's still delicious and easy! That's the best combination, or shall I say combinacion?

Ingredients
2 packages of polenta (I got mine from Trader Joe's, but you can probably find it in your local grocery in the Hippie food section)
1/2 cup of frozen corn
1/2 cup of frozen spinach
1 12-14 oz can of green chili enchilada sauce
1 small can of diced green chiles
1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup of shredded Mexican cheese
1/4 cup diced green onion (you could use white or red onion if you want)
1 Tablespoon of olive oil
And rice and beans of your choice. I prefer black beans (drained and rinsed) and classic Spanish rice.

Directions
1. Start the rice. It is usually easy, but takes the longest, so you want to get that going first.
2. In a medium size pot, add spinach, corn, diced green chilies, Mexican cheese, onion, and enchilada sauce.
3. Bring the pot to a boil, then lower heat and let simmer for 10-15 minutes on low. Stir regularly.
4. Slice the polenta into 1/4-1/2 inch slices.
5. Coat a frying pan with the olive oil. Fry the polenta until brown and crusty (3-5 minutes on each side)
6. Meanwhile, warm the beans in microwave safe dish.
7. Continue to stir green chili sauce.
8. Serve by placing the polenta on the plate with rice and beans. Smother the polenta with the green enchilada sauce mixture and top with Greek yogurt.


Enjoy! This dish has all of the flavors of a great Mexican dish! It's delicious, quick, and inexpensive.

Crock-Pot Lasagne--Yeah! You heard it right!

Hi everyone. I have to admit that this one sounds crazy. I was not a believer at first either. But it turns out that you can actually make a delicious lasagna in your crock-pot. It's also relatively easy compared to the standard lasagna.

I can't take credit for this one completely. We got this from a magazine called Real Simple and thought it sounded too interesting to pass up. I do, however, take credit for being brave enough to try it! It was well worth the 10 minute prep and 3 1/2 hour wait time!

Here is how it is done:





Ingredients
2 10 oz packages of frozen spinach (chopped)
1 cup of ricotta cheese
3/4 cups of grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups of grated mozzarella cheese
6-7 regular lasagna noodles
1 jar of your favorite Marinara sauce

Directions
1. Thaw and drain excess water from spinach
2. In a bowl, mix together the spinach, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese
3. In a second bowl, mix together the marinara and 1/2 cup of water
4. Spread 3/4 cup of the marinara mixture on the bottom of your crock-pot.
5. Top with two noodles (you have to break them to fit), 3/4 cup of the remaining marinara mixture, half of the spinach mixture, and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella.
6. Repeat step 5.
7. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
8. Cover and cook on low for 3 1/2 to 4 hours until noodles are cooked.

Enjoy! This is so easy and very delicious. I dare you to try it!

Guest Post- What happens when I'm not home to cook

Hello, everyone! This is Trisha. I'm the wife of the author of This Delicious Dish. Tonight, I'm going to show you how I eat when my hubby isn't home to cook. I present to you, my dinner:

Clockwise from the bottom of the plate:
First, we have the main dish: Trader Joe's Polenta Provencale. (Bag is pictured, top left) To make, pick up from the freezer section of Trader Joe's, dump in skillet on high for 7 minutes, stir occasionally. This is actually really good.

Second, we have Green Olives Stuffed with Feta. I have a serious addiction to green olives! These are easy-- just open the jar, pop on your plate, and bon appetite.

Third, Chocolate Chip Cookies. I made these from scratch over the weekend, using the recipe on the back of the Nestle Chocolate Chip bag. What, you don't eat cookies as a side dish?

And last, but not least, a glass of Wine. And yes, that is a straw you see in my wine glass! What, is that a problem?!? :)

Ok, so it's not gourmet, like my hubby usually makes. But at least I won't starve!



p.s. If you're interested, I have a lifestyle blog at: http://madebytrisha.blogspot.com/