Thursday, October 16, 2008

Beef and Polenta Pie

I tore this out of Rachael Ray's magazine, and when I later saw it on someone else's blog (I cannot for the life of me remember whose...), I figured that was some divine intervention, telling me I must make this.

So I did.

I guess if I were grading this dinner as I would my students' essays, I'd give it a C+. It was average. Nothing terrible, but nothing fabulous.


Would I make it again? Ehh. I don't know. I'd have to really be in the mood for it.



Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • One 6-ounce package portobello mushroom caps, cut into cubes
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 1/4 pounds ground beef
  • Salt and pepper
  • One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup instant polenta
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese, plus more for sprinkling
  • One 10-ounce package frozen green beans, thawed and drained

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the mushrooms and onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 7 minutes. Add the beef, season with salt and pepper and cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, lower the heat and simmer.


2. In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups water and 3/4 teaspoon salt to a boil. Whisk in the polenta until thickened, about 3 minutes. Whisk in the cream, cheese, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until smooth; pour into a large casserole dish.

3. Stir the green beans into the beef mixture and cook over medium heat, stirring, until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture over the polenta and top with more parmesan.

3 comments:

  1. Well, it sure does look purty! I hope that C wasn't with bonus points for purtyness!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Doesnt look like pie to me!! :-P

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love this second shot! Your pics get better and better!

    ReplyDelete