How to Make a Polenta and Veggie Pie

I have a special friend that is vegetarian nine days out of ten. I mentioned a veggie pie and his eyes light up like a Fourth of July evening. When I told him I think it might not be Vegan his reply was priceless... "Bring it over and I'll let you know after I eat it." I messed with his head a bit and waited till he left for work, broke into his apartment and put it in his oven. I set the time cook to begin 30 minuets before he would arrive home. Then reduce the heat to warm. I left him a note to add cheese and return oven to 375 till cheese melted. I was called a nasty name that night. It perfumed the whole apartment so when he arrived home ravenous it washed over him almost before he closed the door. The next week-end he returned my dish and a key to his place in case I wanted to do it again.

Polenta and Veggie Pie

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil (EVOO if you must)

1 softball sized onion fine diced

1 green bell pepper diced

1 cup fine diced celery

2 tablespoon chopped garlic

1 small yellow squash washed, seeded, & grated

1 small zucchini washed, seeded, and grated

1 large carrot washed & grated

½ Cup corn meal

½ Cup all purpose flour

½ cup Parmesan cheese (green box stuff)

1 Tablespoon dry basil

1 Tablespoon dry oregano

1 teaspoon red hot pepper flakes (optional)

1 ½ Cup Half and Half

2 Large eggs

½ pound Mozzarella cubed in 1/4"

Directions:

Preheat oven 375. Grease 9" deep dish pie pan and set aside (spray works fine) Put olive oil in large skillet on med-high heat. Add onions, pepper, celery, garlic, squash, zucchini, carrot, stir till vegetables are soft. Mix corn meal, flour, basil, oregano,hot pepper flakes, add Half and Half, eggs keep stirring till fully incorporated. Pour into prepared pie dish and put in oven for 30 minuets. Top with cheese and return to oven till cheese melts. Serve with an ice cold green salad and a tall glass of iced tea.

Notes:

The Queen Goddess claims this is great but wants meat. I added a half pound of ground meat to the skillet when browning the veggies. It did change the flavor but was still good.

OK the recipe is yours. Make it soon for yourself. If there is just you it does hold in the fridge for a week or more. You could invite a friend, the minister or the Rabi and his bride to make it a party... tell 'em to bring dessert. Mizpah ;-}}>