I spotted this recipe on the Real Simple website for polenta pizza, and I always keep a container of cornmeal in my pantry.  But since polenta is known as a peasant food, it didn’t make sense to top it with radicchio, sun dried tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella.  So this is my poor woman’s version of polenta pizza.

It came out pretty well, but I should have drained the tomatoes more because they made the crust a little soggy.  The edges got nice and crispy, but the middle fell apart.  It was still pretty good for poor woman’s pizza!

Poor Woman’s Polenta Pizza

2 1/4 c. water
1 c. cornmeal
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
Salt and Pepper
1 (10 oz.) package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 (28 oz.) can stewed tomatoes, drained
1 c. reduced fat mozzarella cheese

Bring water to a boil.  Slowly add cornmeal, stirring constantly.  Continue to cook cornmeal for 3-5 minutes, until it is thick.  Remove from heat, and mix in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.  Spread polenta on the bottom of a 9″ springform pan that has been coated with cooking spray.  Use either the back of a spoon or your fingers to get the surface as flat as possible.

Mix spinach and tomatoes together, and place on top of polenta.  Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.  Bake at 375F for 20-25 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and cheese is melted.

-Adapted from Real Simple

• Main Dishes