Polenta with Tomato-Braised Beans

We liked this. I wouldn't say its in my top 10 of most used or favorite recipes, but it can be easy to prepare if you use prepared polenta from the produce section instead of dry polenta. Using the dried polenta can be high maintenance if you ask me - you just have to keep an eye on it, stirring alot and it can still get lumpy.  Polenta, if you don't know is a fancy term cornmeal.  You don't need to buy the pricier package that says Polenta on the label - I just use plain old House Autry Cornmeal.  You can however use prepared polenta you get from the produce section of the store - fry it or mash it and serve the beans over the top, and this meal will be just as good.

But its another way to get white beans into your diet - they have lots of calcium.

Try it here.

Tangy White Bean Dip

A few of you asked for this bean dip recipe. Easy, kid-friendly and keeps well in the fridge. I serve it with veggies or pita chips (we like Stacy's Pita Chips in our house). And in case you didn't know, Great Northern Beans are a good non-dairy source of calcium!

2 C Great Northern Beans (or other white bean)
2 garlic cloves
1/4 C lemon juice
1/4 C EVOO
1 teasp. salt
fat pinch of fresh or dried herbs

Combine in a blender until smooth. Adjust seasonings to taste.
When I make it, I use a fat pinch of dried oregano, but you can use any herbs you like.