Polenta with Pumpkin & Kale

Directions

Heat a large Dutch oven, non-stick or sprayed with cooking spray.

Add onions and push around to brown a little.

Add a few tablespoons water and stir to unstick from bottom.

Add Chopped Kale or spinach and stir about 5 minutes until all is wilted and onions are translucent.

Add more water as needed to prevent burning.

Add jalapeno, cumin, cinnamon and garlic, sauté 3 minutes.

Stir in mushrooms, cover and cook 5 minutes, Stir in tomatoes, cover and cook 5 minutes, Add salt, pepper and mashed pumpkin and stir well.

Cook uncovered 3 minutes, stirring well.

Remove from heat.

Prepare basic Polenta, spread half in 11×7×2 inch baking dish coated with non-stick spray.

Spread pumpkin mixture evenly over polenta.

Sprinkle with Swiss cheese (optional) Spread remaining polenta evenly over.

Bake at 375℉ (190℃) for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.

Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Yeild 6 servings.

Basic Polenta: 1¼ cups cornmeal ½ teaspoon salt 4 cups water 1.

Place cornmeal and salt in large saucepan. Gradually add water, stirring constantly with a wire wisk. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, cook uncovered 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Yeild 4 cups. 2. Microwave method: Place cornmeal and salt in a 3 quart Gradually add water, stirring until blended. Cover, microwave on HIGH 12 minutes, stirring every 3 minutes. Let stand covered 5 minutes. I made this two times, the first time I couldn’t find kale in the particular grocery store that I went to so I used spinach. I used the microwave method for polenta since I tend to scorch things and it worked great. The first 2 times I stirred I wasn’t sure it was going to thicken by the time it finished it was perfect and it sure is easy to just set the timer for 3 minutes and stir when it beeps. The non-fat cheese is totally optional, in fact I shredded it then forgot to put it in the first time . It is fine without cheese, but the cheese tasted good on the microwaved leftovers too.