Grilled Polenta Cakes for #SundaySupper

Sep 30, 2012 by

Here we are again, another #SundaySupper. Can you believe that September is over already? Where does the time go!? Soon enough, we’ll be Thanksgiving, Trick-Or-Treat-ing, Tree decorating then Mistletoe-ing 🙂 I really do enjoy the fall season ~ the beautiful colours, the food, and the change in fashion. There’s just so much to appreciate.

Back in May, I shared a recipe by Cristina Ferrare for #SundaySupper. The recipe was called Fall Off The Bone Chicken and my family enjoyed every bite. The theme for that Sunday, was to prepare a recipe from Cristina’s cookbook called Big Bowl Of Love. I really enjoy her recipes and there were a few that I wanted to try. This recipe fits very well with todays #SundaySupper theme which is “Meals with five ingredients or less”. Our fabulous host is Amber of Mama’s Blissful Bites! We will be sharing recipes all day, but please do join us during our #SundaySupper Twitter chat at 7pm EST. Join the fun and share your favourite recipes and get meal ideas and inspiration while you’re at it! Whether you’re on a budget, want to use up some pantry items, or just need to whip up something quickly~ you’ll have a wonderful list of ideas to consider from our lineup this week!

 

Grilled Polenta Cakes

 

5.0 from 2 reviews
Grilled Polenta Cakes
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Polenta, Tomato Sauce & Spinach!
Author:
Recipe type: Starter, Appetizer, Snack
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
  • 1 tube polenta, removed from casing, cut into ½-inch slices, and patted dry with paper towels
  • Approximately ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Cooking spray
  • 1 cup Garlic & Herb Tomato Sauce (Or a tomato sauce of your choice)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup baby spinach (a generous handful)
Instructions
  1. Brush both sides of the polenta cakes with the olive oil, and set aside.
  2. On a hot griddle pan, place the polenta slices in one layer on the pan
  3. Grill for 10-12 minutes on each side or until both sides are golden and have grill marks
  4. Remove the slices from the grill and let cool on a baking rack
  5. In a small saucepan, add tomato sauce and bring to a gentle boil
  6. Add the spinach and stir until combined and warmed through
  7. Just before you are ready to serve, preheat the oven to 350°F
  8. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray
  9. Arrange the grilled polenta cakes on the baking sheet
  10. Place a heaping tablespoon of the tomato sauce with spinach on each slice, then add a pinch of parmesan cheese on top
  11. Bake for about 15 minutes
  12. Garnish with fresh parsley, salt & pepper to taste
  13. Serve and enjoy
Notes
Adapted from - Page(s): 55-55, Cristina Ferrare's Big Bowl of Love (Delight Family and Friends with More than 150 Simple, Fabulous Recipes) by Cristina Ferrare

 

This recipe is really simple and easy – my favourite kind. I was interested in this recipe because I have always made polenta from scratch. This would be the first time that I would be buying ready-made polenta. It certainly was easier! I won’t make this a habit but at least I’ll be able to compare and know the difference. All I really needed was polenta, tomato sauce, spinach and parmesan cheese. I think this makes a great appetizer, side dish or a very tasty snack!

 

Grilled Polenta Cakes

 

 

Grilled Polenta Cakes – Grilled Polenta, Tomato Sauce with Spinach & Parmesan Cheese

 

Here’s the lineup for todays #SundaySupper:

Breakfast, Starters, Butters and Jams:

Main Dishes:

Desserts:

Beverages:

 

 

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Bavarian Apple Torte for #SundaySupper

Sep 23, 2012 by

Sunday Supper!!! I’m so glad to be participating again! Sunday Supper has got to be one of my most favourite communities. There’s a lot of fun and support amongst the members behind the scenes. Each Sunday has a unique theme and sometimes, a member gets to host! Don’t miss out on the Twitter chat at 7PM EST. Recipes and ideas are shared all day long, so feel free to jump in at any time using the hashtag #SundaySupper.

Today’s theme is “Autumn Apple Party” where we use wonderful crispy apples as an ingredient in our meal creations. My choice is Bavarian Apple Torte! I made this lovely dessert last year and I was very happy to re-visit the recipe as it was greatly enjoyed. I came across this recipe via Laura Calder’s whose version was titled Easy Pastry Shop Apple Tart. It was super easy and super tasty so here I go again! We have such a talented bunch of contributors this week (and every week)! So many awesome apple recipes to drool over!

Let’s start with mine! Oh so good…such sticky caramelization of the apples on top… I used Gala apples. They are my absolute favourite to bake with.

 

Bavarian Apple Torte

 

5.0 from 5 reviews
Bavarian Apple Torte for #SundaySupper
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A simple tart made with royal gala apples and cream cheese
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: German, French, European
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • Tart Shell:
  • ½ Cup Butter
  • ⅓ Cup Sugar
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla
  • 1 Cup Unbleached Flour
  • Cream Filling:
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla
  • 8oz Cream Cheese, Softened
  • ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar
  • Topping
  • 3 Royal Gala Apples, peeled and thinly sliced
  • ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar
  • ½ Tsp Cinnamon
  • ¼ Cup Slivered Almonds
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400F
  2. Tart Shell:
  3. Cream the butter and sugar. Add vanilla and combine. Add flour and mix until a smooth dough is achieved. Press into the bottom of a pie-dish or an 8-inch spring form pan lined with parchment paper. Give the edges about an inch in height. Bake for 15 minutes and remove from oven.
  4. Cream Filing:
  5. Beat egg, vanilla, cream cheese and filling until smooth. Pour on top of the tart shell.
  6. Topping: In a small bowl, add cinnamon, sugar and almonds. Add apple slices and toss so that the apples are nicely coated. Arrange the slices in top of the cream cheese filling in a circular fashion. Spread any remaining almond/cinnamon/sugar mixture over the apples slices.
  7. Bake until the apples are tender and golden for about 40 minutes

 

Royal Gala Apples

 

I tossed the apple slices in batches and it just so happened that I had a few slices left over to munch on while waiting for this little tart to bake. The almonds are totally optional. I didn’t mind the extra crunch to this very special dessert.

 

Apple slices tossed in sugar, cinnamon and almond slices

 

As with all baked apple dishes, your kitchen will smell wonderful. I couldn’t wait to dive into this apple torte. My husband loved it! I think he exhibited great self-control when I asked him to wait a few minutes while I took some photographs. Bless his patient little heart!!! 🙂

 

Bavarian Apple Torte

 

The perfect dessert for Sunday Supper!

 

A delicate, creamy, crunchy bite!

 

Check out the apple dishes prepared by my fellow food bloggers! Apple lovers will have a GRAND time going through this amazing lineup!

 

Soups, Salads, Starters and Breads

Main Meals

Sides

Desserts

Beverages

We’d also love to feature your apple recipes on our #SundaySupper Pinterest board and share them with all of our followers!

 

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White Bean Balsamic Tomato Salad, Guest Post by Renee of Magnolia Days

Jul 24, 2012 by

Today’s post is by the lovely Renee from Magnolia Days. I have the pleasure of interacting with Renee almost daily through Social Media and the various food groups that we belong to. I not only enjoy her recipes, but also her involvement  in #SundaySupper and the wonderful advice she gives me about gardening. Renee, I’ll have my indoor herb garden flourishing in no time under your wonderful guidance! Check out some of Renee’s lovely recipes! A few of my favourites are Rosemary Focaccia, German Potato Salad, and her Crumb Cake! I have a date with that Crumb Cake recipe!! 

Thank you, Renee for being so helpful to me and for guest posting today while I spend some quality time with my family in Jamaica. I appreciate you!!

Please enjoy today’s post by Renee: White Balsamic Tomato Salad

***

Hello! My name is Renee and it is an honor to guest post on this beautiful blog. I have been following it for a while and each post brightens my day. I wish I could be in Lyn’s kitchen when she is cooking her Jamaican cuisine. Her recent post of cornmeal pudding was over the top. Being a southerner, I have had cornmeal in many ways but never as a sweet dessert. It is a recipe I will make and I will think of Lyn and the family story she shared with it too.

The recipe I am featuring is a White Bean Balsamic Tomato Salad. By now farmers and gardeners should be harvesting tomatoes. Fortunately for my area (Atlanta) they have been available since the end of May.  There is something so wonderful about a fresh-picked tomato. We enjoy them so much I will simply slice them and serve as a side dish.  The flavorless tomatoes sold in stores do not compare.

Salads are something we eat a lot of in the summer. The chilled greens help to beat the heat. It is also a way to use the available fresh produce and not be stuck in a hot kitchen. The season’s temperatures here are in the mid to upper 90’s and with the added humidity it is stifling hot. A cool salad sounds a lot better than a big heavy warm meal.

The dressing for the salad is homemade. I prefer making my own dressings because I like the simplicity of the ingredients.  Sometimes I add more oil or vinegar or fresh herbs or whatever I am in the mood for that day. I switch out the vinegars depending on the salad. Once you make your own dressing you will find it is quite fun to experiment with all the possible variations. It is very easy to do.

The recipe can be for one or up to four salads. Use the amount of salad greens and cheese you prefer for each salad. Any leftover ingredients can be refrigerated for future use (only a few days for the tomato mixture and salad greens).

 

White Bean Balsamic Tomato Salad

 

 

5.0 from 1 reviews
White Bean Balsamic Tomato Salad, Guest Post by Renee of Magnolia Days
 
Author:
Recipe type: Salad
Ingredients
  • For the Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing:
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon (packed) brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon chopped fresh garlic
  • Good pinch of sea salt
  • Pinch of fresh cracked pepper
  • ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • For the salad:
  • 1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette
  • 1 can white cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • Spring salad mix
  • Blue cheese crumbles
Instructions
  1. In a blender, add mustard, brown sugar, garlic, salt, pepper, and vinegar. Blend on high to combine/liquefy. Turn the blender on low and slowly pour in the olive oil. Transfer vinaigrette to a salad dressing container for serving.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette. In a ramekin (about 6 to 7-ounce size), add ¼ cup of the tomato mixture. Top the tomatoes with ⅓ cup of beans. Place the ramekin(s) in the refrigerator for ½ to 1 hour. (This will marinate the tomatoes).
  3. Spread the salad mix on a plate. Invert the ramekin onto the salad and lift off the ramekin to stack the beans and tomatoes on top. Sprinkle the salad with blue cheese crumbles. Serve with additional balsamic vinaigrette to use if more dressing is desired. Enjoy!

 

White Bean Balsamic Tomato Salad – Renee Dobbs, Magnolia Days

I hope you will enjoy this salad during the summer. Stay cool and fuel up on all the glorious produce of the season!

 

 

 

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Strawberries and Cream Popsicles, Guest Post by Chung-Ah of Damn Delicious

Jul 17, 2012 by

Today’s post is by the lovely Chung-Ah from Damn Delicious. Chung-Ah’s recipe’s often remind me of my own or something that I’d eat in a heartbeat. We pretty much like the same food. I’ve said to her a few times that we could be cook-sisters. You know, those friends who you don’t mind sharing a kitchen with? Yep, that’s her. We are a part of some really cool movements like #SundaySupper and #MuffinMonday. Such a sweet brilliant soul. I was so happy when Chung-Ah agreed with such fiery spirit to guest post for me. Take a moment and visit her blog. I guarantee that you’ll love it. Her photography is beautiful too!

Check out some of Chung-Ah’s awesome recipes! A few of my favourites are Strawberry Espresso Chocolate Chip Muffins, Pancetta Fried Rice and Slow Cooker Chicken Adobo (Keeping this recipe close) 

Thank you, Chung-Ah for guest posting today while I spend some quality time with my family in Jamaica. I appreciate you!!

Please enjoy today’s post by Chung-Ah: Strawberries and Cream Popsicles

 ***

Lyn is off in Jamaica and even though I wanted to sneak into her suitcase and tag along, that didn’t quite happen as I had imagined. So here I am to provide you with a refreshing dessert option, or breakfast option for some.

Now for those of you who don’t know me, I’m Chung-Ah of Damn Delicious. I’m a recent public health graduate and I love spending time in my closet-sized kitchen, whipping up quick and easy homemade meals using fresh ingredients. With my love for food, I created a food blog over a year ago which in turn led me to meet so many wonderful foodies like Lyn. I’m definitely a big fan of hers, to say the least, and I am incredibly honored to be guest posting for her. She has the most wonderful recipes, and she never ceases to amaze me with her Jamaican favorites. I mean have you seen her Jamaican Cornmeal Pudding? I could seriously gobble that up for breakfast every morning!

Anyway, before I spend the whole day talking on and on about how I adore Lyn and how I need to try every single one of her recipes, we should get down to business and talk about these popsicles.

So I bought these cute popsicle molds from Crate & Barrel a while back and even though I had like 10 popsicle recipes lined up, these molds just sat in their box, unopened, for several weeks. I don’t know why but I have this tendency to leave brand new kitchen products in their original packaging for an indefinite amount of time. I did that with my Le Creuset dutch oven and I did it again with my KitchenAid mixer. I think that sat on the couch for like a month.

It’s a sickness really. Maybe I should see someone about that.

Anyway, when I finally managed to get the molds out of their box, I inaugurated them with this awesome strawberries and cream recipe I found over at My Baking Addiction. It’s seriously one of the easiest things to make, and the only hard part is pouring the mixture into the molds without making a mess on your kitchen counter.

Yeah, like I said, super easy.

 

Strawberries and Cream Popsicles – Damn Delicious, Chung-Ah Rhee

 

5.0 from 4 reviews
Strawberries and Cream Popsicles, Guest Post by Chung-Ah of Damn Delicious
 
Prep time
Total time
 
Super easy summer popsicle, using fresh strawberries and greek yogurt
Author:
Recipe type: Treat, Dessert
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 cup strawberries, pureed
  • 6 tablespoons milk
  • 1 (5.3-ounce) container Greek yogurt
  • 4 teaspoons agave
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup diced strawberries
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, combine the strawberry puree, milk, yogurt, agave and vanilla.
  2. Stir in the diced strawberries.
  3. Scoop the mixture evenly into the popsicle molds.
  4. Place into freezer and freeze until hard, at least 4 hours.
  5. Remove from freezer and run the mold under warm water to loosen popsicle, about 20 seconds.
  6. Serve immediately.
Notes
Strawberries and Cream Popsicles (adapted from My Baking Addiction) Yields 6 popsicles

 

Strawberries and Cream Popsicles – Damn Delicious, Chung-Ah Rhee

 

Strawberries and Cream Popsicles – Damn Delicious, Chung-Ah Rhee

Strawberries and Cream Popsicles – Damn Delicious, Chung-Ah Rhee

 

Strawberries and Cream Popsicles – Damn Delicious, Chung-Ah Rhee

 

If you don’t have a popsicle mold, you should totally get one. The popsicle recipe options are endless, and you get to use up such fresh ingredients that bring natural sweetness to these babies, unlike the sugar-loaded store-bought ones. Plus, it’s a sure way to cool off on these hot summer days!

 

 

 

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Mixed Mashed Roots, Guest Post by Sofie of The German Foodie

Jul 10, 2012 by

Hi friends! Its been a little while since my last post – and I have an awesome excuse! I am in beautiful Jamaica spending some time with my loved ones. I really needed a break and I’m embracing my time here completely. I’ve had a weeks worth of rest so far and look forward to getting out and about, to experience my most favourite foods and places. I’ll be sure to have fun with my friends, take lots of photographs, collect Jamaican Cook Books and  most important of all – get some sand between my toes! Time with my family and friends is something I treasure deeply. It’s really good to be home!

While I’m away, I have some fantastic friends who have been so kind to guest post for me. I can’t tell you enough how excited I am to have a few of my favourite food bloggers share great healthy meals right here at The Lovely Pantry!

To kick things off, Sofie is going to share her own personal family recipe – Mixed Mashed Roots. Brilliant! Why didn’t I think of doing this? For those who don’t know Sofie, she’s this really smart and cool lady that loves to cook and bake. Sofie inspires me with her German recipes and gorgeous food photography. We are regular participants in #SundaySupper and members of the Food Bloggers Network. Please visit her blog called The German Foodie. I want to try EVERY recipe on her blog. A few of my favourites are: Strawberry Shortcake, Sofie’s Southern Corn Fritters, and German Cheesecake. Sofie, perhaps now is a great time to tell you that I have made your Corn Fritters about 3 times. The fritters always seem to disappear before I get to take photographs and actually create a post. I will make them again and again!

I’m so glad to have met Sofie. Please enjoy her post today.

***

I am an expat German living in Northeast Ohio, and blogging mostly about authentic German food and my own original recipes inspired by German food. Having grown up in the border region with France in a very cosmopolitan city, even for its size, I am also drawn to all sorts of ethnic recipes.

I have been baking ever since I could hold a spoon, and it is my great passion in life. I have somehow always baked. I love to explore and experiment, to create and yes, eat what I have created. I am not just a consummate baker; I like to cook as well, especially seasonally.

I am thrilled to be guest posting at the Lovely Pantry today, and since Lyn specifically requested something healthy, I decided to pull something out of my cooking hat that’s been a popular side dish in our household for years. It’s also one of the ways I can get my husband to eat potatoes without complaining (he’s not a huge fan of potatoes).

This is a simple dish, and one you can either make in a vegetable mill (moulin à légumes), with a potato masher, or simply in a food processor. I like mine chunky, so whatever the veggie mill produces is fine with me – if you like yours smoother, pass it through a fine-meshed strainer as a last step.

Mashed Roots – Photography by Sofie Dittman of The German Foodie

 

5.0 from 1 reviews
Mixed Mashed Roots
 
Author:
Ingredients
  • ¾ lb (350 g) potatoes
  • 2 lb (900 g) yams
  • 1⅓ lb (600 g) carrots
  • 1 – 2 medium onions
  • Olive oil
  • Salt, pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Peel and cut all vegetables into chunks about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length and put in a stockpot (about 8 quart or 7.5 liters capacity).
  2. Add one tablespoon of salt, a little olive oil and enough water to comfortably cover all of the vegetable pieces.
  3. Bring to a boil and then cook until all ROOTS are tender (they should be on the soft side). Strain the broth and save in a bowl.
  4. Mash all of the vegetables until they become creamy and no large chunks are left. If needed, add some broth to achieve the desired consistency.
  5. Add salt and pepper (and more olive oil if desired) to taste.
  6. Serve warm as a side dish.
  7. Serves 4 – 6.

 

Mashed Roots – Photography by Sofie Dittman of The German Foodie

 

Mashed Roots – Photography by Sofie Dittman of The German Foodie

 

Mashed Roots – Photography by Sofie Dittman of The German Foodie

 

 

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