Polenta Crusted Chicken With Ravioli

     This dish was inspired by a recent visit with my girls to the Olive Garden,  It is a Polenta Crusted Chicken Breast with Ravioli in a Parmesan cream sauce.  My sister Linda and I ordered this dish as it looked delectable and pleasing.  I usually take the safe road while dining out but a night out with the girls made me want to live on the edge. 

     The meal was so delicious that my friend Jill and I just had to recreate the dish.  We experimented and prepared it for ourselves and 4 children.  The preparation was a bit time consuming but in the end it was well worth it.  It would be a lovely meal to serve at a dinner party or any other special event.

Here goes.......

First, prepare the Polenta.  If you are unfamiliar with Polenta....   Polenta is made with ground yellow or white cornmeal (ground maize)  It is usually boiled in water and can be made into a mush or cooled and sliced. 

Polenta

4 Cups of chicken broth
1 Cup Ground Corn Meal
2 TBS Butter
1/4 Cup half & half (a little less, if desired) can also use Heavy cream
1 Cup grated Parmesan Cheese
Salt & Pepper

Chicken Broth & Corn Meal

Bring broth to a slight boil, gradually wisk in corn meal until it becomes thickened and smooth.  You can add a bit more broth (or water)  if needed. 

When Polenta is thick and the consistency of oatmeal or grits, add butter and half and half and continue to wish.  This will make it extra creamy.  Add salt & pepper to taste.  Gradually stir in cheese until combined.  Thats it!  Polenta is done.  Can be served as a side dish instead of rice or potatoes.

Completed Polenta

Set Polenta aside and let it cool a bit until needed.

Crusted Chicken

1 1/2 Pounds of Chicken Breast (or more depending on amount of people serving)
Salt & Pepper
Prepared Polenta
Parmesan cheese

Clean chicken thoroughly.  Pound Chicken with kitchen mallet until 1/4 of an inch thick.  Salt & Pepper to taste and quickly cook in frying pan with a small amount of EVOO (Will bake in oven to finish)  Set aside. When chicken is completely cooked.  Place chicken on a lined cookie sheet.  Cover each piece of chicken with cooked Polenta.  When done, sprinkle each piece with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Bake in oven for approximately 20-30 minutes until polenta starts to brown.  You can turn on the broiler if needed to crust the polenta.

To complete the dish, cook cheese ravioli according to directions.  While ravioli is cooking prepare the parmesan cream sauce.

Parmesan Cream Sauce

1 small container of Heavy cream

1 Cup Grated parmesan Cheese

Salt & Pepper

Heat heavy cream to a slight boil, add cheese until melted.  Salt & Pepper to taste.  Cheese is a bit salty so minimize the amount of salt you add.

Plate the Polenta Chicken and ravioli's....  add vegetables if desired.  I used baby bella mushrooms and spinach which accompanies the dish well.  Add cream sauce to chicken and ravioli and finish with a few chopped tomatoes for color and taste.  ENJOY!

Polenta Crusted Chicken with Ravioli's in a Parmesan Cream sauce..

Oh, So Delicious!

Turkey Burgers....... Our Way!!!

I am sure you will love this recipe.  It is one of my family's favorite dinner time meals. Besides my meatballs and homemade sauce this meal is loved by the whole Smith crew (even the picky ones).  This meal is simple, quick and an inexpensive meal that oh, so YUM!  Give it a try and let me know what you think.

1 package of Ground Turkey, 1 egg, 1/4 Cup of chopped onions (can use more if you like), granulated garlic, salt & pepper, 3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs.  Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and form into burgers.  This should make about 8 burgers.  Quickly brown each burger in a pan with a little olive oil.  Remove to a plate. 

I purchase 4 packages of instant turkey gravy (you can make your own)  or more if needed.  Prepare gravy according to directions.  Simmer burgers in gravy for 20-30 minutes until done.  Serve over egg noodles with a veggie or a salad.

Simple, but Good!

Thumbs Up from the Little one.

Strawberries and Fluff Dip - SINFUL!!!!

Ok..... lets get this straight..... this recipe is oh-so-delicious, but oh-so-sinful. If you like cheesecake and fresh fruit.... you will love it. Serve this at your next get-to-gether and the neighbors will be talking about you for a long time.

1 - 8 ounce package of Cream cheese (softened)
1 - small container of Marshmallow FLUFF
dash of cinnamon

Blend all ingredients together and serve with fresh strawberries. I have also serves with bananas, graham crackers, vanilla wafers.... the possibilities are endless.