Hey guys! Happy Monday night 
I hope you’ve all had a great weekend and are starting off your weeks on the right foot. My weekend was excellent, and I’ll be sure to catch you up tomorrow! In the meantime, enjoy this comforting Fall recipe, and have a great night!–
Foodbuzz recently sent me two jars of Pace Picante Sauce, a sort of liquid-y salsa that can be used for chip-dipping, meat marinating, and just about everything else you can think of. 
I love chips and salsa, but I wanted to make something a little different that would be both comforting and nutritious.
Spicy Polenta with Roasted Vegetables and Tempeh
Serves 2-3
- 1 eggplant, peeled and diced
- 1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed
- 1 block tempeh, diced
- 2 T olive oil
- 3 servings polenta
- 1/4 t. red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup Pace Picante Sauce, Medium-spice
- optional: good-quality hard cheese (like parmesan or gruyère) OR nutritional yeast
Preheat oven to 400.
Put eggplant into colander and sprinkle with salt, leaving for 10 minutes. Add 1 T olive oil and eggplant to baking dish, tossing to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Add remaining 1 T oil, tempeh and asparagus, tossing to coat. Season with more salt and pepper. Cook 30 more minutes, or until eggplant is cooked through and everything is nicely browned.
Meanwhile, cook polenta according to package directions. About 2 minutes before it’s cooked through, add pepper flakes and Pace Picante Sauce. Season with salt.
Plate roasted vegetables, tempeh, and polenta. Garnish with cheese or nutritional yeast.
I love when grocery stores have “trial size” cheeses, so you can try out new cheeses you may not like- or have the time- to enjoy a whole block of. I really liked this Brenta! It was sharp and tangy, and perfect on the soft polenta.
Enjoy!
We ate while watching Hocus Pocus, which I’ve been hankering to watch since the first signs of Fall. Back to it!
Do you like spicy foods? How hot is “too hot”?
that sounds amazing. I would pay for that right now. I am studying and really dont wana cook! haha.
TEMPEH needs to get back in my life soon i think!
i’ve been wanting to cook with tempeh for a long time now. just couldn’t find a recipe that reeled me in…this sounds great! esp, cause i like polenta too!
lol…EVERYONE was talking about hocus pocus the other day!
I used to love hot spicy foods but lately I just can’t handle them like I used to. They don’t seem to sit well with me, but maybe again one day!
Not only does this recipe sound really good right now, but Hocus Pocus is definitely a movie I need to watch again!
Have a great evening.
Yum, yum! Polenta is such an underutilized food in my kitchen. Thanks for the reminder!
What a great way to use the salsa! I have plans for my samples later this week as well
. Polenta is delicious and roasted veggies look super good. I love a little heat in my food. If it makes me really sweat though- that is TOO hot!
I’m quite obsessed with spicy food. I put hot sauce on everything. I’ve even considered buying the gallon jug of my favorite hot sauce instead of quart….because I go through it so fast.
Looks awesome!!! Where are you getting all of these fantastic recipes?
That cheesy polenta looks SO good!!!
I love spicy foods. Must be from growing up near the Tabasco factory
Love polenta, and Hocus Pocus! Fall classic.
I love tempeh! Looks like a tasty dinner
Can’t really take “hot” foods though. I love using lots of flavorful spices when I cook, but definitely don’t do the hot sauce thing. We have a full shelf collection of hot sauce though since my husband loves it!