Polenta Shrimp Creole

I sometimes have impulse buys at the grocery stores when I walk up the aisles and look for something 'interesting' to make. I was at Trader Joe's and saw the tube of polenta and thought for sure I would use it right away. It stood in my pantry for at least a month before I stumbled upon it again, and decided to clear the space and give it a try. Googled a recipe for it and saw this one on Huffington Post. Read on there that polenta used to be the food of the poor, but now has gained popularity in many high-end restaurants. I knew my husband wouldn't be too impressed with this dish, so when he asked what we were having I said "Shrimp Creole" I left the polenta part out on purpose. When he came into the kitchen and saw the plate presented before him, he wrinkled his nose and asked what is HE going to eat. I said "watch you will eat it, you will like it, and you will ask for more." And surprisingly he did like it, and he did ask for more!! :)

the ingredients, only 5!

my little partner in crime, always watching momma work in the kitchen

sauteing the veggies
 (had some mushrooms so decided to add them in as well)

getting the polenta ready

again, the final masterpiece

link to the recipe:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/shrimp-creole-polenta_n_1056861.html
link to the 10 other quick & easy recipes featuring polenta:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/06/polenta-recipes_n_1186914.html

Home-Made CLIFF bars...phenominal!

I got this recipe from one of the blogs that I follow, Enlightened Cooking! I have made Lara Bars from it too, which are under 5 ingredients, and those bars are pretty pricey at the store. Plus, just like you can with these bars, there can be SO many different variations. Whatever you are in the mood for, or have in your pantry! The recipe comes together in minutes!!

I made cranberry chocolate chip, using sunflower seed butter as the base. You can use any nut butter you like. I also use brown rice syrup to make it all stick together. Apparently honey won't do the job. I bought the syrup at Whole Foods, it's taste is a cross btwn honey & maple syrup

Mixing it all together

so so good!

p.s. the link to the recipe is avaliable when you click on 'Enlightened Cooking', in case you were not aware ;)

and she has lots of nice pictures too