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
 
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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
 
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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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Jamaican Cornmeal Pudding #SundaySupper

Jun 3, 2012 by

It’s time for another #SundaySupper and this week the theme is “Heritage”. I was undecided for a while as to what to prepare, but a quick phone call to my Mom helped to narrow it down. Most of my Jamaican favourites have already been shared on The Lovely Pantry, but I wanted to take this opportunity to share something new.

When I think about my heritage, I think about the country and culture that influenced my life the most. As some of you may know, I grew up in London England, Jamaica, and currently reside in Toronto, Canada. My parents always instilled in my brother and I, the importance of family, and knowing our heritage/culture. This was a challenge while raising a family in a foreign country with so many other cultures blended around you. But my parents made it work. From the music, to the dialect, to the FOOD – oh, my parents love their food!

I’ve always been a part of a close-knit family (more like a tribe). In fact, there are so many of us, we could form our own small community. As a child, my father showed us our family tree so that we could see exactly who started this awesome family of ours. I plan to do the very same thing for my children. It will be a larger family tree compared to what my father had shown me but it will definitely be a wonderful family project. Perhaps one day we’ll go to Cuba to see where my paternal Grandfather was born, and then perhaps travel to Ireland to see where his father was born. Hopefully we will get to do the same for my husband and see his German-Irish background. That’s the beauty of Jamaica and being Jamaican. We are truly “out of many, one people“.

Being Jamaican is great, but living and experiencing other cultures is amazing too! I love having friends and family, from other cultures. What better way to learn about this wonderful world we live in! We are all alike in so many ways, but our cultural differences are what make us so unique. I’m so honoured to participate in this weeks #SundaySupper and I look forward to seeing all the wonderful recipes from a diverse range of cultures.

I hope you enjoy my recipe today – Jamaican Cornmeal Pudding. Growing up, I much preferred cake over pudding. But after I made this pudding, I believe I have been missing out!!! Pudding of some sort (Cornmeal, Bread, Sweet Potato) can be found at many gatherings and is especially good with ice-cream. My pudding would not have been the same without a few “drops” of some Appleton Rum. This pudding is authentic at the very least, and I’m glad to have come across this recipe so that I could put my own personal touch to it. Enjoy!!

 

Cornmeal Pudding with Rum, Raisins and French Vanilla Ice Cream

 

5.0 from 3 reviews
Jamaican Cornmeal Pudding #SundaySupper
 
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A traditional favourite for dessert, enjoyed with vanilla ice-cream!
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Serves: 10-12
Ingredients
  • 3 Cups Yellow Cornmeal
  • ¾ Cup All Purpose Flour, Unbleached
  • 2 Cups Brown Sugar
  • 5 Cups Coconut Milk
  • 1 Tbsp Cinnamon
  • 1 Tsp Nutmeg (or Mace)
  • 1 Tsp Allspice
  • 1 Tsp Salt
  • 1 Cup Raisins
  • ½ Cup Shredded Coconut
  • 2 heaping Tbsp Dark Jamaican Rum
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350F
  2. Spray and line a 9 X 13 inch baking pan
  3. In a large bowl, add Cornmeal, Flour and Shredded Coconut
  4. In a large bowl, add sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and coconut milk. Combine with a whisk
  5. Add the liquid mixture into the flour mixture
  6. In a small bowl, add about a tablespoon of flour and the raisins. Stir to coat the raisins in flour
  7. Add the raisins to the mixture and stir just to incorporate
  8. Add Rum. Stir just to combine
  9. Bake for 50 minutes until a knife inserted in the centre, comes out clean
Notes
This recipe is adapted from http://cookingwithelise.com/?p=4822

 

Before I go into the photographs, I wanted to include images of the Jamaican flag as well as the Coat Of Arms 🙂

 

      

 

I always remember pudding or “pudd’n” as we call it, being thick and moist. I figured the raisins wouldn’t sink in the batter, but I went ahead and tossed them in flour any way.

 

Raisins tossed in flour, cornmeal batter

 

Fold the raisins into the batter, ensuring that everything is full incorporated.

 

Raisins on batter

 

I had to buy a baking pan big enough to hold the batter for this pudding. Of all the items in my kitchen, I did not have a 9 X 13 Baking pan. I chose to line it because I find it easier to clean the pan but also to remove/transfer the cake after it has cooled. Parchment paper is one of those multi-use items that I always have handy.

 

Cornmeal Pudding Batter

 

50 minutes later, the pudd’n is ready! The kitchen smells AH-MAZING!

 

Cornmeal Pudding, Baked

 

Cornmeal Pudding is served in squares (or slices if you use a round pan). I prefer squares because it gives a great place to rest the ice-cream!

 

Stacked Pudd'n

 

You can’t go wrong with having pudding on the menu. It’s a crowd pleaser! Either that, or the rum just makes people really enjoy it.

 

Pudding and ice-cream

 

This is by far my favourite part of eating this pudding. A nice chunk of pudd’n with some softened ice-cream! Heavenly!

 

The best part!

 

My other favourite Jamaican recipes include: Oxtail (my favourite), Ackee & Saltfish (Jamaica’s National Dish), Escoveitched Halibut and Sweet Potato Bun. Let us not forget Rice & Peas!

 

Here are the recipes for todays Heritage theme. Check out the posts from these amazing food bloggers!

 

For more awesome inspiration, be sure to follow our Pinterest Board and also follow our #SundaySupper hashtag on Twitter. To find out more about or even participate in #SundaySupper as a food blogger, the sure to check here for further information.

 

Happy Sunday, and as we say in Jamaica…”Walk Good!” … which is the same as saying take care!

~Lyn

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Tarragon Chicken #SundaySupper

May 6, 2012 by

I’m very happy to be able to participate in this weeks #SundaySupper! Todays theme is “May Flowers, Veggies and Herbs.” I didn’t  hesitate to prepare this as a wonderful spring dish. I think I may have tweeted my joy when I saw that Tarragon was available again ~ a true indication that spring has arrived! For those that are not familiar with Tarragon, it is an herb that is quite popular in French cuisine and pairs very well with chicken and fish. It is very aromatic and reminds me of liquorice! When I made this dish almost 2 years ago for the first time, I enjoyed it immensely. I decided to serve the chicken with Fennel (a vegetable with a very similar aroma to Tarragon) as well as Zucchini and Jasmine Rice.

 

Tarragon Chicken with Pan Seared Fennel and Zucchini, Jasmine Rice

 

 

5.0 from 2 reviews
Tarragon Chicken
 
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A French dish, perfect for a comforting family dinner
Author:
Recipe type: Main
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 Tbsp olive oil
  • 8 Drumsticks, Skinless (any part of the chicken is good)
  • Salt and pepper
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • ½ Cup Half & Half
  • ½ cup fresh tarragon and a few extra for garnish
Instructions
  1. Season chicken with salt and pepper
  2. In a large dutch oven, warm oil and butter over a medium-high heat
  3. Brown chicken in batches and set aside
  4. Add all the chicken pieces back to the pot
  5. Add broth, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes
  6. Take the chicken from the pot and set aside.
  7. Add shallot to the pot and soften, about 5 minutes
  8. Add wine, allow to reduce about 7 minutes
  9. Add half and half, stir to combine
  10. Add chopped Tarragon, stir and cover for about 5 minutes
  11. Add chicken back to the pot, cover and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes
  12. Serve and garnish with fresh Tarragon
Notes
Served with pan seared Fennel, pan seared Zucchini Slices and aromatic Jasmine Rice Recipe adapted from Laura Calder's version: http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipes/Herbs/recipe.html?dishid=9128

 

Such a lovely herb. I love the scent and flavour!

 

Fresh Tarragon

 

Brown the chicken pieces in batches. If you used chicken pieces with the skin on, you may want to skim some of the fat left over in the pot. Not too much – since that’s where the base flavour is.

 

Chicken in Olive Oil and Butter

 

After you’ve browned all pieces of chicken, and cooked them down in the broth, set them aside while you build the Tarragon sauce.

 

Chicken, resting

 

Soften the shallots in the broth.

 

Softening the Shallot

 

Add the fresh Tarragon into the Broth and cream mixture. Simmer.

 

Fresh Tarragon in wine and cream sauce

 

The sauce should have a rich, thick consistency. Taste at this point, to see if you need salt and/or pepper. Add the chicken back to the pot to incorporate the flavour.

 

Tarragon Chicken Sauce

 

The sauce is terrific. The texture is great and the flavour is awesome.

 

Creamy Tarragon Chicken Sauce

 

Dinner is served!

 

Tarragon Chicken, Jasmine Rice, Fennel and Zucchini

 

 

Here are some wonderful spring inspired meal ideas for #SundaySupper using Herbs and Vegetables. These recipes will  inspire you to spend more time Around the Family Table!

Cocktails and Wine Pairings: 

Appetizers:

Entrees:

Side Dishes:

Dessert:

 

Happy Sunday! Enjoy quality time with your loved ones this evening.

~Lyn

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Baked Butternut Squash & Asparagus Risotto #SundaySupper

Apr 29, 2012 by

Today’s post is contributing to the #SundaySupper movement on Twitter. Every Sunday, food bloggers share themed recipes and tips to encourage family dining. The recipes are fabulous and any inspiration that you need for your Sunday family meal is always a tweet away. I’m very glad to have joined up with such a warm and welcoming group! Today’s theme is budget friendly meals.

My cookbook collection could easily get out of hand. And I’m not even worried. I love to see bookshelves lined with books from end to end. Over the years, I’ve been buying cookbooks, food related books as well as photography books. This passion is here to stay. If ever I doubt my true love, all I need to do is look at my collection. What I love about books in general, is that a particular book may seem new to you if you haven’t read it or seen it in a while. I have cookbooks that I haven’t even looked through properly. That thought alone excites me! I’m surrounded by inspiration.

Risotto is a great meal that can be made with simple, budget friendly ingredients. Perfect for a Sunday Supper. I was browsing through some or my treasures and my search led me to a cookbook that it would seem I had not looked in. The photographs were superb and I wished my photographs looked just like them or similar. So anyway, the original recipe used pumpkin and sage – I didn’t have those items but if you’ve been reading my blog for a minute, you’ll know that I use what I have if I cannot do any better at the moment. I had a Butternut Squash and fresh Asparagus. Done deal, in my head.

I’m not sure what tickled me more – the idea that I was baking the risotto, or that I wouldn’t have to stir constantly for half an hour. I was totally pleased with the outcome and perhaps… just maybe… I’ll make Risotto like this from now on. This is a fantastic way to have dinner ready in under an hour, no stress on the stirring arm.

 

Baked Butternut Squash & Asparagus Risotto for #SundaySupper

 

This recipe was inspired by “Fast, Fresh, Simple” by Donna Hay, page 162.

 

5.0 from 1 reviews
Baked Butternut Squash & Asparagus Risotto #SundaySupper
 
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A meat free family meal, easy to make and ready in under an hour
Author:
Recipe type: Main
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 Onion, Chopped
  • 12 stalks Asparagus, washed and trimmed
  • 2 Cups Arborio Rice
  • 2 Cups Butternut Squash, diced
  • 5 Cups Low Sodium Chicken Stock
  • 3 Tbsp Butter
  • ½ Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Grated Parmesan to serve
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400F
  2. In a large dutch oven (or oven proof pot), add oil and onion over medium heat
  3. Cook for until soft, about 3 minutes
  4. Add the asparagus and cook for about a minute
  5. Add the pumpkin and cook for about a minute. Stir to combine
  6. Add the rice and stock. Cover pot with a tight-fitting lid
  7. Bake for 30 minutes
  8. The Risotto will be moist and there may still be some liquid. Add salt, pepper, butter and parmesan and stir until the risotto thickens
  9. Plate and serve with some extra parmesan
Notes
Adapted from Donna Hay's recipe Baked Pumpkin & Sage Risotto from her book "Fast, Fresh, Simple" - page 162

 

Fresh spring flavour

Asparagus

 

I was glad to use Butternut Squash in this recipe. It holds up quite well and adds beautiful colour to the meal.

 

Butternut Squash, diced

 

Asparagus is a really good-looking vegetable. I’m looking forward to experimenting more with it.

 

Asparagus, washed, trimmed, cut into 1-2 inch pieces

 

I believe these two paired very well together.

 

Butternut Squash, Asparagus and Onions

 

Add the rice and give it a quick stir to combine before placing the pot into the oven.

 

Arborio Rice added to the dutch oven

 

This is what it looks like straight from the oven. There is very little broth left and the vegetables are cooked through.

 

Risotto out of the oven

 

Add the butter and gently stir to combine

 

Melting butter

 

Here is the plated Risotto. Add the parmesan cheese before eating.

 

Baked Butternut Squash & Asparagus Risotto

 

Dinner is served!

 

Baked Butternut Squash & Asparagus Risotto with Parmesan Cheese

 

 

I hope you enjoyed my recipe today. Please check out what the rest of my food blogger friends are bringing to #SundaySupper:

Lane from Supper for a Steal with her Chicken Tortellini Soup Recipe

Sasha from Rambling Notebook  with her Crock Pot Curried Carrot Ginger Soup

Jennie from The Messy Baker Blog with her Recipe for Meatball Subs

Amrita from Beetles Kitchen with her Vegetable Manchurian Recipe

Pam from The Meltaways is bringing her Chicken Enchilada Pasta

Carla from Chocolate Moosey is sharing her Sweet Chili Wings Recipe

Karen from Notes from the Cookie Jar is bringing her Chickpea Masala Sandwiches

An from Baker Street is bringing her Blueberry Lime Bread

Liz from That Skinny Chick Can Bake is bringing her Creme Brulee French Toast because sometimes Breakfast for Dinner is fun!

 

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