Polenta with Vegetable Ragout

Ingredients

Polenta

• 4 cups cold water or vegetable stock
• 1 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup cornmeal
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Sauce

• 1 cup stock or water
• 1 cup diced yellow onions
• 1 cup zucchini, sliced in ½" rounds
• 2 cup sliced asparagus, 1" lengths
• 3 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1½ cups tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• salt and pepper
• goat cheese for garnish

Directions

1. Bring water to a boil in a medium-size saucepan and add the rosemary and salt.
2. Reduce the heat to a simmer and slowly add cornmeal, whisking constantly.
3. Cook over low heat, still stirring, until mixture is thick, about 10 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan until melted.
5. If you are planning to the polenta in a soft state, you can keep it mushy by adding water and occasionally stirring until the sauce is ready.
6. If you plan to bake it pour the polenta into a lightly oiled shallow baking dish, smooth top and let cool for 1 hour, or up to 24 hours.
7. When you are ready to bake the polenta, remove from refrigerator, run a knife around the inside of the pan and turn on a flat surface.
8. Cut into squares and place on a lightly oiled baking sheet.
9. Bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes or until the tops begins to brown lightly.
10. For the sauce: bring a cup of vegetable stock to a simmer in a saucepan.
11. Add the onions and cook, covered, until they are transparent, about 15 minutes.
12. Add zucchini, asparagus, and mushrooms and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
13. Add the tomatoes, parsley, garlic and salt and pepper to taste.
14. Cook another 5 minutes, spoon mixture over bowl of soft polenta or 2 squares of baked polenta.
15. Garnish with goat cheese and serve at once.

Nutritional information

Per serving:

• 238 calories | 13g pro | 38g carb | 6g fat (20%)
• Exchanges: 2.7 vegetable | 1.6 bread | .9 meat | .2 fat