Dan's Hearty, Healthy Polenta

Polenta Ingredients:

• 1 cup Polenta (Italian corn meal -- available at most grocery stores)
• 4 cups water
• 1 tsp. salt

Directions:

Combine salt and water in a sauce pan, bring to a boil, and add polenta somewhat slowly while stirring. Cover, lower heat to where it's just bubbling, and cook for 30 to 40 minutes. Stir frequently, and add additional water if necessary. At the end, it should have the consistency of cream of wheat or oatmeal. When you taste it, it should not be crunchy. Makes two servings with some leftovers.

Sauce Ingredients:

• 4 medium tomatoes, chopped fine -- some prefer to skin them first
• Medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves (or more if you like), garlic finely minced or use a garlic press
• 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
• 1 1/2 cups chopped mushrooms
• 1/4 tsp. dry basil
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 Tblsp. extra virgin olive oil
• Ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

Saute the onions, mushrooms, garlic and parsley on medium heat until the onions are limp -- about 7 to 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper and basil, stir and let simmer for at least 45 minutes.

Serving Instructions:

Place a slice of non-fat Mozzarella cheese on a dinner plate, spoon an ample amount of the hot Polenta onto the cheese. Top with the tomato sauce, serve and enjoy.

Dan Wall
American Heart Association
www.americanheart.org