Foodie Fridays: Mini Polenta Pizzas
Anybody else happy it’s Friday? It’s been quite a week in my world. Whew!
Fridays in our house are often pizza night. Sometimes we go with the classics. Other times we prefer something more “gourmet.” Still other times we take a whole other approach and take the simple biscuit pizzas and English muffin pizzas of our youth and transform them into something more grown-up, but every bit as fun. Enter the Mini Polenta Pizza.
These are great paired with a salad and a glass (or two) of wine. You can also serve them as appetizers at your next party. But the real good news is this: not only are they pretty and they taste great, but they’re also easy on the waistline! Though homemade polenta can carry lots of calories by way of the heavy cream and cheese you might add, the pre-made versions tend to be surprisingly low calorie. Top with flavorful ingredients and you’ve got lots of flavor and not so much guilt!
Mini Polenta Pizzas
1 tube (24 oz), pre-cooked polenta
olive oil for brushing
1/4 cup marinara sauce (bottled or homemade)
4-5 marinated artichoke hearts, sliced
1/4 cup roasted red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Preheat oven to 400 F.
Slice polenta into 12 1/2″ slices. Place slices on a baking sheet and brush one side lightly with olive oil. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove pan from oven, flip the polenta slices and brush opposite side with olive oil. Return to oven and bake for another 10 minutes. Remove pan from the oven.
Preheat oven to broil.
Top each baked round with a teaspoon of marinara, artichoke slices, and roasted red pepper. Sprinkle with 1.5 tablespoons of cheese.
Return pan to oven and broil for 3-4 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Serve warm.
Yield: 12 mini pizzas
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I didn’t even know that polenta came pre-cooked in a tube!! I love pizza nights. Before we moved here Friday was always pizza night. Now I’m lucky if I can get a pizza. DH says he’s all pizza’d out. How that is possible is beyond me.
What a great recipe…will have to try it.
Moe — Polenta absolutely comes pre-cooked in a tube (http://www.amazon.com/Food-Merchants-Organic-Tradtional-18-Ounce/dp/B000LKYX9S/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_3)... but you could also make it from scratch, spread it into a pan and cut it with a biscuit cutter (or, heck, a cup would work). And pizza’d out? Not possible in my world!
Soho — I hope you do!
YUM! I may try with mushrooms and/or pineapple instead of the artichokes & pepper!