It's about that time of year ...


... to serve polenta under everything πŸŽ‰ (And to never leave the house without your fleece-lined leggings!)

Friends, it's cold out there.

Last Sunday, I made a pot of this simple black bean soup with those slow cooker black beans I mentioned in last week's newsletter, and it was so nice to have on hand for the first half of this week when I couldn't fill my body with enough hot foods and liquids to keep warm.

When we finished the soup, I turned to Paula Wolfert's oven-baked polenta. Many of you already know of this polenta's genius, but if you are unfamiliar, let's review:

Unlike stovetop polenta, which requires constant monitoring and stirring, oven-baked polenta is completely hands off: simply combine all of the ingredients in a pot, transfer it to the oven, and one hour later it's done.

Here's how you make it:

Gather your ingredients: 1 cup cornmeal, 5 cups water, 1 cup milk, 1 tablespoon butter, and 1 teaspoon salt.

Add all of the ingredients to a large pot and stir to combine β€” the mixture will not look emulsified.

Transfer the pot uncovered to a 350ΒΊF oven for 40 minutes. Give it a stir; then return to the oven for another 20 minutes or so.

That's it! Top with anything your heart desires. Find a few ideas below. Get the recipe here:

PS: Truly: I haven't left the house without wearing fleece-lined leggings in weeks, and I've never been happier (in January).

PPS: For this recipe, you need one cup of cornmeal, which can be labeled in various ways: corn grits, polenta, or cornmeal. This Bob's Red Mill Brand can be found in most grocery stores, and I like its coarse texture.


What to Serve With Polenta

​Brothy Chickpeas with Escarole​

​Slow Cooker Gigante (or other white) Beans​

​Perfectly Poached Eggs​

​Roasted Mushrooms with Garlic and Thyme​

​One-Pot Sherry Vinegar Chicken​

​Marcella Hazan's Stewy White Beans​


100% Stone-Milled Flour Pizza Dough Recipe

In Friday's pizza newsletter, I wrote about Cairnspring Mills flour and shared a recipe for a Neapolitanish pizza dough recipe made with 100% stone-milled flour. Get the recipe and watch the video here:


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PS: ALL the popular recipes right here β†’ Popular Recipes​


Review of the Week

​Homemade Rye Bread​

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"I have never made a loaf of bread that was so easy! Not to mention delicious! Thank you! I followed all the recommendations you made. I made NO changes. Have made several times and it only tastes better each time.."

β€” Alice Hayes


Thank You

Thank you to all who have ordered Pizza Night.


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PS: All previous editions of this newsletter can be found here.

Hi. I'm Ali.

Bread enthusiast. Vegetable lover. Omnivore. If the kitchen is your happy place, you're in good company. Let's hang.

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