Black Bean and Corn Polenta

 One of the "cool beans" frugal recipes I've found is Black Bean and Corn Polenta.  A vegetarian friend shared this one with me a while back and it's become a regular on our monthly menu.  I always plan to make it on a Saturday when I do because it makes quite a bit and we can eat the leftovers with some rice and/or veggies on Sunday.  If at all possible, I try to take Sunday off from cooking dinner.  We all need a break, right?!

Here is what you need:

1 can black beans (or if you really wanna go crazy saving money- make your own beans! Use about 2 cups for this recipe)

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1 ready made tube of polenta or make your own for dirt cheap (using 1 cup cornmeal, 1/2 tsp salt, and 3 1/2 cups cold water...boil til thickened)

1 cup frozen corn, thawed 

1 cup red bell pepper, chopped

1 8 oz can tomato sauce

2 cups grated cheese

Mix your polenta in the water and salt.  Bring to a boil.

 

Stir constantly until nice and thick.

 

Pour into a large, greased, casserole dish.

 

Add frozen corn as the second layer.

 

Season black beans with oregano and cumin and add next.  (NOTE..if using frozen homemade beans make sure they are fully defrosted and rinsed to get off any excess water)

 

Add red bell pepper and can of tomato sauce next.

 

Top with 2 cups grated cheese.

Throw the whole thing in the fridge until you are ready to cook.  Homemade polenta does best, from my experience anyways, when it has a chance to chill.   I tend to prepare this during nap time.  Come dinner time all that's left is to bake it at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.

I was pleasantly surprised that the baby, at 10 or 11 months old, seemed to really like polenta and black beans!! The 3 year old... well....he just picks out the polenta....

For 2 adults and a couple of tiny eaters we eat half of this and save half for another dinner.  For a larger family you'd probably want to double it if you hoped for leftovers!

 

This saves really well in the fridge and we just re-heat it in the microwave and make some rice in the rice cooker to accompany it.  MMM.  Looking forward to tomorrow night's "easy" dinner. 

Other favorite sides to accompany this:  Yellow sweet potato fries (or roasted), brown or white rice, steamed veggies,  tortilla chips, smoothies, etc.