Polenta with Fontina (6)

One of my favourite vegetarian cookbooks many years ago was ” Cooking from an Italian Garden” by Paola Scaravelli and Jon Cohen. Here’s and easy recipe for polenta from them. For a variation you can cooked the cornmeal, add the cheese and then spread the mixture half an inch thick on a wet worksurface. When cooled and firm cut it into small squares or discs then fry in butter until golden on both sides. Drain on kitchen paper and serve hot.

Brown Butter Curried Cornbread (6)

Here’s another recipe from Ixta Belfrage’s ” Mezcla”. You can serve it as the main event, or it goes very well with her Roast Chicken Curry or Mole Short Ribs. You can use less of the chilli or just use a pinch of chilli flakes if you want a milder heat.Left overs can be reheated the next day- either pan fry or put in a 170 C Oven, 150 Fan and warm for about 10 minutes. Serve with plenty of butter on the side.