Polenta in 5 Minutes, Really?

I love polenta but had never tried it for breakfast at home thinking it was too much trouble...all that stirring! Then I ran across this great idea from Faith in the Kitchn and gave it a try this morning. If you have a bowl and a microwave and a bag of Red Mill coarse ground cornmeal, you are set!

Quick Bowl of Polenta

Adapted from Faith in The Kitchn

Ingredients

1 cup water
1/4 cup coarse ground cornmeal (I prefer Red Mill, but any brand will do)
Pinch salt
1 teaspoon olive oil, optional (I liked it with the olive oil)
Milk, optional

Equipment

Microwave
Bowl

Instructions

1. Mix the water, cornmeal, salt, and olive oil, if using. Put the bowl, uncovered, in the microwave, and set the microwave for 5 minutes on HIGH.

2. Halfway through cooking, take the polenta out of the microwave and stir thoroughly. Add a drizzle of milk, if desired. Put the bowl back in the microwave and finish the cooking time. Check at 5 minutes; it should be getting rather thick. (It will thicken even more as it cools.)

3. Eat with a little more milk, plus brown sugar and walnuts — or topped with a poached egg!

Additional Notes:
• Microwaves range in power, of course so check it halfway through cooking. If it is already thickening rapidly you may want to only cook it for a minute more. Mine was ready in 4-1/2 minutes.

 Stir after 2-1/2 minutes and add a little milk (optional). Pop in the microwave another 2 minutes or so...

 This is such a nice change from oatmeal!! Do you ever eat polenta for breakfast? I tried it with the walnuts and brown sugar and it was yummy. Next time...a poached egg! What would you add to it?

Okay, everyone who would like something easy, with big flavor (and no sugar!) to cook, raise your hand! This is a rustic version of one of my favorite cream soups. It could not be more simple to whip together but it will taste like you spent hours prepping and simmering, clever you!

Rustic Leek and Thyme Soup

Adapted from Classic Soups by Debra Mayhew

2 lb leeks

1 lb potatoes

1/2 cup butter

1 Large spring of fresh thyme, plus extra for garnish

1-1/4 cups milk

salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 Tbs heavy cream, to serve

Trim and wash leeks well. Strip away all the coarse outer leave and cut the leeks into thick slices, about 1-1/2" wide...just eyeball it. Cut only the white and light green part of the leek.

Cut the potatoes into rough dice about 1" and dry with a paper towel.

Melt the butter in a large pan, add the leeks and 1 large sprig of thyme. Cover and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened.

Add the potato pieces and just enough cold water to cover the vegetables. Re-cover and cook over low heat for 30 minutes.

Pour in the milk and season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer until all veggies are soft.  Remove the sprig of thyme (the leaves will have fallen into the soup!) and serve, adding 1 Tbs cream and a garnish of thyme if you want to be fancy.

After simmering the leeks and thyme in butter, add potatoes, cover with water and cook 30 minutes

Add milk, salt and pepper to taste and simmer until veggies are soft.

Top with a tablespoon of heavy cream, a sprig of thyme and serve with rustic bread. Prepare to swoon.

You could puree the soup to make it creamy, or smash some of the potatoes to thicken, but we loved this exactly as is...large tasty chunks of leek and potato swimming in a fragrant butter thyme broth, so  satisfying! Enjoy!!

2011~ Top Ten

I know it is true for most when I say New Year's Day is...Ahhhhhhhhhhhh...! Holiday's over! Check!
2011 over! Check! Clean slate, fresh start, new palette, that all sounds good to me! Ahhhhhhh......
New Year's Day Michael and I like to review our "completions" for the previous year and then make what we call a "Heart Chart" for the coming year.

Last year was amazing for many reasons, here are our Top Ten (apologies to David Letterman and my friend and fellow blogger Maria Wimmer).


 #10  The dinning room reno we had been planned (FOREVER) became a reality!

 


#9  The bathroom mosaic I had been working on (FOREVER)...finis!

 Made entirely from recycled/reclaimed mostly vintage ceramics. Cost, $0 (!!!)

 Tea cup handle towel ring :)


#8  Artist and wonder husband Michael's many creative and successful opportunities this year, with four art shows, representation at two galleries and many private sales!

In the studio... A LOT!!

 "Persons of Interest" One man show, Metallo, Gallery, NM

 Juried show, Seattle, WA


#7  Teaming up this with our dear friend and Albuquerque Yoga instructor Gloria Drayer and creating Yoga + Art in Umbria, Italy 2012!

#7  Spending time with family this summer. Connecticut coast, Mason's Island, a vacation home for 10, 2 kayaks and a week together, awesome!

 Brother Scott and Michael (the one mugging for the camera of course)

Mother from Michigan, friend from NY, ex-hubby James (yes, we are friends) and brother Norman from San Francisco, enjoying a beautiful July day.

 Michael and brother Scott at Stonington, RI (also from San Francisco)

 We couldn't have found a better place for our reunion!

Stepping out the front door...so pretty. You have to forgive me, I live in the desert so I gush around large bodies of water!

4. Visiting Chicago for the first time! Spending time with my dear "cosmic daughter" Kendra and her wonderful Jason.

 Us! In the "Bean" at Millennium Park

Doing what we love best! Chicago restaurants!!


3.  Time spent on a road trip with my mom...

 Antiquing in Shipshawanna, Indiana

 Traveling through Amish country

 Visiting the Upper Peninsula in Michigan via my favorite Mackinaw bridge.

Enjoying a summer street fair in Petoskey, Michigan

#2 Working up the personal courage to: start blogging, learn Photoshop and show my mosaic work at the Recycle Santa Fe show in November.

 #1 ...and at the TOP of 2011...The marriage of our son Sean and his beautiful and very smart wife Meghan at the incredibly gorgeous Ocean House Hotel in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. A beautiful event, flawlessly orchestrated by our new friends and family, Meghan's talented and delightful parents, John and Susan Clancy. It was one for the books; a perfect day filled with the love of family and friends.

 Sean and Meghan ~ Wedding Day!

 Drs. Sean and Meghan Danby

 Ocean House, Rhode Island

Michael and I are working on our "Heart Chart" today for 2012; looking forward to creating, loving, and living each day of this year with ease and grace. At the top of our list is our wish for you to have a Brilliant 2012!