a little something for everyone

What are you looking for; Gluten-free? Easy-breezy? Meatless Monday? Kid-friendly? Convenient? Meat-free Friday Lenten meal? Then this recipe is for you! But before we get to it, I want to provide you with a head’s up about tomorrow’s recipe. Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day – the most amazing Irish Soda Bread recipe. It comes directly from the source, a true Irishwoman who also happens to be a great friend of this blog. None other than, Sharon Cereska; loyal follower, mother to long-time students of Les Petites Gourmettes, and one of the two winners of our latest contest. Sharon generously brought me a loaf of the delicious bread as a thank you when she came to my cooking class at Les Gourmettes (the prize of the said contest). Marissa and I devoured the entire loaf before Dave even knew it was in the house! Besides the usual flour and such, you’ll need 1 egg and 1 3/4 cups buttermilk. Get to the store and pick those up so you can make the bread. Trust me, you’ll be thanking me, and especially, Sharon, later!

Mini Polenta Pizzas

18-ounce tube cooked polenta *
Olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup prepared pizza sauce
1/4 cup prepared pesto
1/3 cup toasted slivered almonds
1/3 cup toasted pine nuts
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan
Fresh julienned basil, for garnish

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with foil; lightly grease foil with olive oil or Pam. Set aside.

Cut the polenta into 3/8-inch-thick slices using a sharp long knife. Place the polenta slices in the prepared sheet and brush each lightly with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes.

Remove from the oven and spread half of the polenta slices with the pizza sauce; spread the remaining slices with the pesto.

Sprinkle the pizza sauce-covered rounds with the almonds and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle the pesto-covered rounds with pine nuts and Parmesan.

Return to the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the toppings are heated through. Let stand 1 minute before removing it from the pan. Garnish each pizza with fresh basil and serve immediately.

Makes 10

* Find at Trader Joe’s on the aisle with the olives and sauces. In fact, you will find great prices on all the ingredients for this recipe at Trader Joe’s.