Meatless Monday: Polenta Provencale
This week was just crazy busy for us, but we still wanted to enjoy our Meatless Monday in style so what did we do? Headed out to Trader Joe’s of course and in the freezer section found something new and exciting to try this week. What did we pick: Trader Joe’s Polenta Provencale.
Trader Joe's Polenta Provencale
Now we were not really sure what to expect with this item. We chose it because we were looking for a heat-and eat dinner choice for Meatless Monday AND we liked all the ingredients on the label.
I mean really who could resist a product that talks about combining polenta, spinach and peas in a spicy cream sauce??
Yikes! That did sound good…
This product is frozen (including the sauce) into small round pieces. The whole thing just sorta melted in the pan as I was stirring (over medium heat) . It was so easy and smelled wonderful as it was heating up.
Frozen Trader Joe's Polenta Provencale
Well you will be happy to know that this product did not disappoint. The polenta pieces were the size of a small egg, the peas were sweet and the spicy cream sauce was just wonderful and rich. The only small complaint that we had was that there was not enough spinach for our liking. But this was easily changed as we added some sliced fresh spinach and stirred it into the rich sauce.
Warm Polenta with extra spinach
The bottom line?
Trader Joe’s Polenta Provencale was a delicious quick dinner on a busy Meatless Monday. Next time we will serve it with some cooked brown rice to soak up all the yummy sauce!
Have you tried Trader Joe’s Polenta Provencale yet? What did you think??
Hi! I just tried the polenta provencale and it is delicious! One heads-up, the pieces of polenta will eventually dissolve if you cook it long enough (the package says only a few minutes, but I had to cook it for at least 15 min to get the texture and consistency of the sample portions at TJ) and absorb the sauce – it becomes a creamy dish with the consistency of cheesy grits with spinach and carrots. At least that’s how they served it at the TJ I frequent which is what made me buy this in the first place. Happy eating!
You are 100 percent right ! Trader Joes Polenta was delicious and I even opened a can of Swansons Chicken and mixed it in ….What a nice change …..And to think that I never even heard of it before until just Yesterday !!!!!!!!
Thanks…………………………………
Glad you enjoyed it. I like the idea of adding chicken chunks to it, for a change of pace 🙂
TJ had samples of the polenta provencale today. Very good. I have never thought of or seen the polenta balls before. cute. It gave me the idea for my dinner this Saturday for mom’s 97th birthday. I will stretch it a little by adding fresh spinach, sliced grape tomatoes and mozzarella pearls just before serving. There is only 4 of us. Maybe a little fresh basil leaves also. With a salad and strawberry shortcake. Oh! TJ also has a box with 5 frozen creme brulee in a chocolate cup for $5. Beautiful for another meal. yay!
This sounds fantastic- great ideas- spinach & tomatoes will go nicely! Thanks!
I realize this reply is coming years after the post I am replying to, but I just wanted to note that the polenta dish Rayna is talking about in her comment is a different frozen polenta option that TJs sells.The polenta in the polenta provencale should in fact retain its shape. The polenta in the creamy polenta with spinach and carrots that TJs also sells is more of a grits consistency, and is what Rayna is referring to. Just wanted to clear up any confusion despite there not appearing to be any 😛