I just have to say that I am extra excited about the fact that today is Friday! It has been a long, busy, and stressful week, so the weekend cannot get here soon enough! Plus, today at work we are having a department retreat day off campus and get to head home at 2 p.m. You have to love getting off of “work” three hours early! And finally, am I the only one who is already super excited about the fact that next week’s work week will only consist of three work days? I am pumped about this and also very eager to be able to head home for the holiday weekend. All in all, today is a great day!
And in celebration of this fabulous Friday, I am going to share with all of you four of my favorite recipes that I have enjoyed recently. That’s right, folks, I cut down my “bookmarked” recipes by four this week…though I am pretty certain that I added more to the list, too. Oops? 😉
Friday Foodie Favorites: June 28, 2013
Up first is Tara’s Eggplant and Mushroom Stir-fry. I am a major eggplant lover and am always looking for new ways to prepare it. This dish was so easy to throw together and cook up in my wok. And, It was packed full of healthy vegetables. I followed Tara’s recipe nearly exactly, but also added in fresh kale and coleslaw mix. I wanted to bulk up the dish a bit, and I needed to use these leftover veggies from my fridge before they went bad. It was super tasty, but next time I think that I might roast the eggplant first, because I just love roasted eggplant!
During the last two weeks I also made…
Kelly’s Slow Cooker Black Bean Tacos. This is seriously one of the fastest, easiest, and most versatile slow cooker recipes to throw together. The beans were very flavorful and I was loving coming up with creative ways to use them. I made “tacos” in hearts of Romaine lettuce wraps topped with salsa, tomatoes, and nutritional yeast…
…and then used the leftovers for breakfast with this creation of a tortilla, beans, scrambled eggwhites, spinach, salsa, and nutritional yeast. I absolutely loved using these to create a new and unique breakfast outside of my “norm.”
Another recipe that I loved was Kathy’s Rustic Tomato Rice Kale Stew. This is such a tasty stew (and yes, I eat soups and stews during the middle of Summer when it is 90 degrees outside ;)). My stew turned out to be pretty thick and chunky. I could have added additional broth, but I prefer a chunkier soup/stew, so I stuck with it the way that it was. And I was so not disappointed with this decision. It was thick, yet creamy, chocked full of veggies, and downright delicious! This is absolutely a MUST make…even in the Summer! 😉
And last but certainly not least…
I mentioned these cute little polenta pizzas a couple of weeks back in a WIAW post. And now is the time that I will finally share a little bit more about these beauties with you! I based my recipe off of Tina’s idea/cooking technique, and used Italian herb-seasoned polenta to bake up mini pizzas.
I have also seen tomato and basil seasoned polenta that I am sure would be great, as well! I topped my polenta pizzas with pizza sauce, sauerkraut, onions, spinach, red and orange peppers, mushrooms, and vegan shredded “cheese.” These were SO tasty. This was the first time that I had ever eaten polenta, and it certainly has not been the last time. I am loving it :).
There you have it. Four of my favorite foodie finds from around the blog world. I hope you all enjoy these recipes and that you have a wonderfully awesome Friday and weekend. See you on Sunday! 🙂
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That kale stew sounds really good. I love kale!
Me too! I cannot get enough of it right now!
Happy Friday to you, lady! I hope you have a nice relaxing weekend after your busy week! All your eats look marvelous and I’m drooling over the eggplant stir fry. Have a good one!
Thanks so much! You too :).
Out of work early?? Lucky girl 🙂 enjoy it, love!! Have a great weekend 🙂
I so enjoyed it! I took a nap!! haha
How neat that you can leave work early today!! I love these kind of days.
I am totally intrigued by the black bean Tacos and these Mini Polentas, yumm! Great Food Finds!
Happy Friday girl!
Yes, everything was so good! I was definitely pleased.
How neat that you can leave work early today!! I love these kind of days.
I am totally intrigued by the black bean Tacos and these Mini Polentas, yumm! Great Food Finds!
Happy Friday girl!
Can you please just come and cook for me? Everything you post always looks like something I would love to try but would never think to put together myself. But this post is a great reminder that I need to bring polenta back into my life. I like a piece for breakfast in the morning with a little parmesan cheese, yum!
Sure! 😉 And you definitely need to bring polenta back. I need to give it a try for breakfast!
polenta pizza sounds so amazing!!
They were super tasty!
I really love polenta too! I haven’t had any in forever, I need to try this recipe. I also really want to try the slow-cooker black beans. Have a great weekend!
You should definitely try both. They were awesome! And thank you…you to!! 🙂
I am so ready for the weekend too! And the black bean tacos look fabulous!
Yay for the weekend being here 🙂
Those little pizzas sound fab 🙂
They SO are!! Give them a try!
i bought a tube of polenta,cant wait to try it 🙂 Happy Friday
Oh, good! Let me know what you think!!
Yes, love having a place where all the recipes are a quick link, thanks again!
Have a great weekend!
I hope you enjoy them AND have an awesome weekend!
We get Monday off this weekend for Canada day so I’m suuuper excited to finally have a long weekend!
Yay, that is exciting! Days off of work are the best!!
I’m glad you liked the slow cooker black beans! I’m all about easy, especially when it’s hot outside. Enjoy your short day!
Yes, they were SUPER delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
So many good eats!
I know, right? You should try them all! 😉
That company retreat sounds fun. And anytime that you get out early is a win for me 😀 So yes, I am super excited about the 4th of July weekend… 4 days off!!!
I’ve had polenta a few times, but I think it was a sweet version, never savory. That’s great that you were able to find an organic brand.
Yes, it was a great Friday! And yay for polenta. How do you usually eat it sweet? I am intrigued!
We basically just made plain polenta in a pan on the stove and then drizzled it in syrup. So amazing! Corn and syrup just go so well together. Especially jiffy cornbread and syrup! The Saturday breakfast of my childhood 😀
I made polenta pizza looooong ago. Must do that again! I love your creation. 🙂
Happy Friday!
Oh, you definitely should! Isn’t it awesome?
Those polenta pizzas sound so delicious!!
They really are! You must give them a try :).
Have a great weekend. A 3-day work week is definitely something to look forward to!
Yes, it definitely makes Monday not seem so bad knowing that I’ll only have 3 days! Have a fabulous weekend :).
polenta pizza?! sign me up!
These all sound really good! Those polenta pizzas are so cute, and i’m sure really flavorful.
They were so good! You should definitely try them :).
So many delicious sounding recipes in one post. Love it!! I hope you have a fabulous weekend, beautiful!
Thanks so much. You also! 🙂
I am so guilty and having stews and soups throughout summer too hehe. I love my salads but sometimes you just need a big hot pot of veggies and stew.
Love he polenta pizza idea. Mini pizzas always look so much nor yummy than a big huge one in my opinion. Plus you can vary toppings easily 🙂
Yes, I don’t care how hot it is outside. I still crave soups and stews!
Love the idea of those polenta pizzas they sound so delicious 🙂
They so are, and are SO easy to make!
Polenta is one of those foods i love but only ever eat at restaurants! Will definitely be stocking up on some at the supermarket next week!
I have never tried it at a restaurant, but I definitely hope to soon!
Oh you use that polenta to make the pizzas! I was thinking you used the loose polenta and was wondering how you made it stick together 😛 I have GOT to try these now!
Yes, just slice it up! It is SO easy!!
Getting out of work early is the best! You totally deserve it!
It SO is!! It makes the weekend THAT much better!
Slow cooker black bean tacos….mmmmmmm. Have a great weekend!
They were definitely super delicious! Thank you, I hope your weekend is great, too!
I don’t know why I always forget about polenta!! It’s so delicious, and it’s actually a food that my restricted diet allows (why isn’t it on my list?!). And the slow cooker black bean tacos sound wonderful.
Enjoy your holiday! I know I will 🙂
Oh, I will definitely be enjoying my holiday! Time away from work is the best! 😉
I dig the polenta already mixed in the tube! I have only ever had it in a dry form in a box, which requires baking. Enjoy the 4th!
The polenta in the tube makes it SO easy to cook! I love it :).