Polenta with chickpea and tomato sauce

Babiche Martens

We are doing meatless Monday in our house, and this polenta and chickpea bake has been a favourite on the menu. Remember polenta is hot and sticky like porridge and can spit at you, so be careful when cooking. If you pour the tomato sauce over the polenta while hot, dinner will be on the table before you know it. A dollop of Greek yoghurt finishes it off with that delicious tangy taste.

Ingredients

1 cup	Instant polenta, yellow or white (Main)
1 tsp	Salt
2 Tbsp	Olive oil
1	Red onion, sliced
2	Garlic cloves, crushed
2 tins	Chopped tomatoes (Main)
2 Tbsp	Balsamic vinegar
1 tsp	Dried oregano
1 cup	Chickpeas, drained and rinsed (Main)
1	Courgette, sliced
1 cup	Grated parmesan cheese
½ cup	Ricotta cheese, or yoghurt, plus an extra dollop on top for serving (Main)
1 sprinkle	Chopped parsley, for serving

Directions

1. Line a 20 x 20cm tin with baking paper.
2. Place 4 cups of water in a large saucepan with the salt and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and pour in the polenta while stirring. Cook for 5 minutes until thick like porridge. Pour into the tin and allow to cool completely. Cut into 5cm pieces.
3. Preheat an oven to 180C.
4. Heat the oil in a frying pan. Add the onion and garlic cooking until softened. Pour in the tomatoes and bring to a simmer for 8-10 minutes. Stir through the balsamic and oregano. Then add the chickpeas and courgette.
5. Place the polenta into an ovenproof baking dish. Sprinkle over the cheese. Pour over the tomato sauce. Place into the oven for 30 minutes until hot and golden.
6. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with a side salad. Add a dollop of yoghurt or ricotta.

More of Angela's quick dinners

• Pan-fried fish with fettuccini
• Chilli, peppers and chicken stir-fry