Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Rewind...lets pretend its Monday!

Well, Happy Cinco de Mayo! Hope your enjoying some good chips and salsa  or any other festive food! I am rewinding this post back to Monday, when I was suppose to post it. So here's to Mission Monday.....

So Bre and I were talking about how its hard for her to create pre-race meals that aren't too heavy and gluten/dairy free. She said she usually just has cereal or some other form of baked gluten free goods. I told her I had a great meal thats light, yet rich in the carbs/protein you need. Tuscon Chicken and Polenta. I call it my "Gourmet Fuel" meal. Its great the night before a long run/ride, race, etc. Since Bre is racing this weekend in Knoxville, this came at a perfect time.  Plus she's never had polenta....ever!!

Here's my version of Tuscan Chicken and Polenta
Adapted from TLC Cooking

Yield: Makes 4 servings


Ingredients:

1 package round polenta (see picture)
4-5 basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 skinless chicken breasts
1 can Stewed Tomatoes
Nonstick cooking spray (I used coconut oil spray)
Fresh spinach and arugula leaves, steamed (optional)



Preparation:

1.Slice Polenta into rounds and place on sprayed cookie sheet. Season with pepper. Bake at 375F for 16 minutes and broil for 1-2 minutes after that. If you desire cheese (we used almond cheese), place slices on polenta for the last 3-4 minutes.


2. Combine Italian seasoning, salt and pepper in small bowl; rub on all surfaces of chicken. Place chicken, stewed tomatoes, and fresh basil in a skillet and cook on medium high for about 20-25 minutes or until chicken is done.

3.Place steamed spinach and arugula leaves on serving plates. Arrange baked polenta slices and chicken over spinach; top with Stewed Tomatoes and Sauce from skillet.



Nutritional Information: (minus the spinach/arugula)
Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with 3 thin slices polenta and 1/4 cup Stewed Tomato Sauce.
Calories 248
Protein 31 g
Fiber 4 g
Carbohydrate 21 g
Saturated Fat 1 g
Total Fat 4 g


The stats are pretty good and you can adjust your carb intake (add more polenta slices) if need be. The hubs and I scarfed this down and kissed our fingers (just like the Italians do)!
Bre will make this and report back after her crazy taper/race week. Please send her good luck wishes as she heads down to race REV 3 triathlon in Nashville this weekend!

Well, its time for some Modern Family and dessert. Whats your go to pre-race/fuel up meal???

Cheers,
LC







14 comments:

april said...

Yum your meals always look so pretty! I've only tried polenta once and I don't think I mad it right! LOL.

My pre-workout meal is always oatbran and protein powder! Love it!!

Chuck said...

This looks really good- I'm actually going to make it soon!

Unknown said...

Chuck,

let me know how it turns out!

April,

I've actually cooked polenta like oat bran then added egg or egg whites and salsa. Its yummy!

Vera said...

I like polenta cakes! That meals look really pretty.
Modern family is so funny, it's probably one of my favourite TV series. Hope you enjoyed it!

Janetha @ meals + moves said...

hey, love! just catching up. great job on your race. yeah for beating your goal time! and your vegan-ish inspired eats looked great.

the recipe in this post is RIGHT up my alley! i've starred it! thanks :)

Morgan said...

so glad I found your blog, I love it!!! i'll be stopping by more often :)

Abby said...

I've never had polenta... I am kinda scared of it!!

sophia said...

I LOVE Bre's name...because it's so similar to Brie, one of my favorite cheese. lol.
I adore polenta....I actually just featured a GRILLED version of it!

Megan D said...

That polenta recipe looks amazing! I like to fuel up with good carbs before a race- sweet potatoes are my fave.

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

thanks for the sweet comment and you have a super weekend, ok hon!
xo

sophia said...

I LOVE Bre's name...because it's so similar to Brie, one of my favorite cheese. lol.
I adore polenta....I actually just featured a GRILLED version of it!

Morgan said...

so glad I found your blog, I love it!!! i'll be stopping by more often :)

Anonymous said...

Hi my family member! I wish to say that this [url=http://pandoracharmsukmart.co.uk]pandora charms[/url] post is awesome, great written and include approximately all vital infos. [url=http://pandoracharmsukmart.co.uk]pandora charms sale[/url] , I??d like to see extra posts like this .

Anonymous said...

Hi, I do believe this is an excellent website. I stumbledupon
it ;) I will return yet again since i have saved as a favorite
it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and
continue to help others.

Feel free to surf to my web site - Louis Vuitton Handbags Outlet