Tag Archives: QuarantineCooking

How are you feeling today? I’m keenly aware that I am taking a privileged walk through this global pandemic… and yet I often find myself seized by a vague melancholy borne of solidarity with those who are suffering, the surreal vibe of this whole thing, and the uncertainty of what is yet to come.

I’m sure there is a great deal more I could be doing for the world, but last night I went back to basics and took care of myself and my husband with a soothing bowl of fontina-flavored polenta and roasted veggies. I fight the idea, but caring for me and mine CAN be enough on a Saturday night during these difficult times. At times, it may be the best thing we can do to hunker down and make a satisfying meal. Let’s get to it:

Roasted Veggie Ingredients

• Veggies (I used two small butternut squash and a pile of Brussels sprouts, but go for what you’ve got on hand — broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, turnips… hmm…)
• Olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Salt (preferably Kosher salt or sea salt)
• Pepper

Instructions

• Chop the veggies into chunks
• Plop into a bowl and season generously with salt and pepper
• Mix with 3 parts olive oil to 1 part Balsamic vinegar
• Pour on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper
• Roast at 450 degrees Fahrenheit until browned and cooked through, 20-25 minutes

It’s a beautiful transformation… Raw veggies with some seasoning:

Become better versions of themselves… roasted!

Polenta Ingredients

• One cup loose polenta
• One Tablespoon unsalted butter
• Small wedge of cheese, shredded (I used Fontina, but go at it, Asiago, cheddar, even dollops of goat cheese would be tasty)
• A few tablespoons of Parmesan cheese
• 5 cups water

This is what we’re looking at, minus the water:

Polenta Instructions

• Bring water to a boil
• Add polenta, stir, bring back to a boil
• Turn heat on low and simmer and cook, stirring often, for 40 min (yes this is a dinner to linger over)
• Mix in cheeses and butter at end once polenta is already cooked

Combine all in a bowl, throw a chopped fresh herb on top, and you get a version of this, courtesy of School Night cookbook:

Once you purchase (or find) a container of loose polenta, let your creativity take the reigns and repeat with different veggies or try serving with protein… something in the red meat department would appeal to me…

We capped off this quiet evening with a trip to Forest Park and took comfort in this view:

Peace.