I am a polenta fiend lately. Polenta puttanesca is still heavily a part of our regular rotation because it’s ridiculously fast and easy, but it’s good to change it up a little bit. Adding mashed root/tap root vegetables is such an easy and healthful way to spruce up polenta and other grains (another example: parsnip risotto) and give them more depth of flavor. This sweet potato polenta is my latest iteration and I serve it here with some flavorful, tangy chimichurri Brussels sprouts.
Brussels sprouts? I don’t have any commentary about how this Brussels sprouts recipe totally changed my opinion of them or anything like that, because I have been a B-sprouts lover all my life. Even the gross boiled ones of your nightmares. Fortuitously, in my college dining hall they would occasionally serve stewed Brussels sprouts and for the most part I got them all to myself… I’m Eastern European, so I guess maybe a love of members of the cabbage family is in my blood! But I’m at least able to recognize that boiled Brussels sprouts is not something I should be feeding to other people if I want them to like vegetables. Roasted or pan-fried is definitely the way to go.
This is a whole food chimichurri sauce made with pureed green olives – Whole Foods 365 brand canned green olives are very reasonably priced and fine quality. The olive flavor is not forward in this sauce so I don’t think splurging on the fancy olives is necessary. And as I have been tending to do lately, I used a ton of fresh herbs – parsley and cilantro – to keep it bright and flavorful. Here are some nice instructions for freezing fresh herbs in your ice cube tray to save what isn’t used up right away. Fresh herbs can cost a premium during the winter so we try not to let them go to waste! The sweet potato polenta is just my regular polenta with a sweet potato added – it’s super easy to make.
Sweet Potato Polenta with Chimichurri Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts (1 regular-sized bag)
- 1 tsp olive oil
For the polenta:
- 1 and 1/2 cups water
- 1 and 1/2 cups plain, unsweetened non-dairy milk
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup corn grits
- 1 medium sweet potato cooked, skin removed, and mashed well
- 2 tsp white balsamic vinegar (substitute white vinegar or cider vinegar)
- 1/4 tsp freshly-ground black pepper
- salt and chili flakes to taste
For the green olive chimichurri sauce:
- 2 cloves garlic roughly-chopped
- 2/3 cup pitted green olives (or use 1/3 cup olive oil)
- 1/4 cup cooked white beans
- 2 cups loosely-packed fresh parsley
- 1 cup loosely-packed fresh cilantro
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone pan liner.
- Cut off the stem part of each Brussels sprout, and then cut in half lengthwise, discarding any outer leaves that fall off.
- Toss the sprouts with just a small drizzle of olive oil (optional - I can vouch that they will turn out when made without oil) and spread them out on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cook for 25-30 minutes (approximate, and will vary with the size of the Brussels sprouts), until tender inside and browned on the cut side.
Make the chimichurri sauce:
- Add the green olives, garlic and white beans to a blender or food processor, and combine until smooth.
- Add the fresh herbs and combine until the herbs are mostly chopped up (but don't completely puree).
- Transfer to a bowl and add the red wine vinegar, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste.
- When the Brussels sprouts are finished cooking, add them to the bowl and toss to combine.
Make the polenta:
- Bring the water and almond milk to a boil. Add the cornmeal, salt, sweet potato, balsamic vinegar, and black pepper, and stir.
- Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring frequently, for 3-5 more minutes. You'll know the polenta is done when you start to see giant bubbles forming and the cornmeal is soft and fluffy.
- Add more salt and pepper to taste, and set aside for a few minutes before eating.
- Serve a dollop of polenta with a generous scoop of chimichurri Brussels sprouts.
Notes
Nutrition
TGIF, and happy last day of February! I have a feeling that March is gonna be a good month =]
I'm Shannon, the writer and photographer of Yup, it's Vegan! I'm a morning person based in Baltimore, USA. My mission is to create healthy plant-based recipes that anyone would enjoy, using seasonal produce with inspiration from global flavors.
Lexi says
Made this for dinner tonight – it has a very earthy taste. It’s not something I would serve to a group because it is more of an acquired taste but it was a decent dish if your used to plant based diet like myself.
Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan says
Thanks Lexi, I would agree with you. A lot of my older recipes are less flavor balanced because I was trying to avoid oil and wasn’t cooking for the general palate so I agree with your feedback. I’m in the process of slowly updating everything from this time period for 2018 🙂
Mandy says
I just made the sweet potato polenta for lunch since I had a roasted sweet potato ready to go.
It was delicious.
I topped it with leftover roasted brocolli and cauliflower and walnut/almond “parm”
Mmmmm
Thanks for the recipe.
Definately will make again.
Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan says
Mandy, I’m thrilled that you liked it! Roasted broccoli/cauli and vegan parm sounds like a great topping, too!
Deborah Davis says
What a pleasure to find your delightful recipe for such a delicious, comfort food! I love polenta and your recipe featuring chimichurri sauce and brussell sprouts is tops! I am so glad to discover this delicious recipe and your wonderful vegan blog at Healthy Vegan Fridays. I have subscribed and am following your blog on social media so I can enjoy your recipes and posts regularly. All the best, Deborah
Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan says
Deborah, thanks so much for your sweet comment and for following! =]
Gov. Elaine Marley says
I’m keen to try this one out, but what quantity of polenta is appropriate?
Gov. Elaine Marley says
OK pardon my confusion – a better question might be, can I substitute store bought polenta for the cornmeal?
Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan says
Hi Elaine, I’m sorry for the late reply! Are you talking about pre-cooked polenta? If so, it might be better to just serve it with cooked sweet potato separately since cooked polenta tends to get somewhat solid when it cools and it would be hard to mix it in. If you’re talking about un-cooked dry polenta, then that qualifies as cornmeal and you should be able to follow the recipe as directed!
Katie @ Produce on Parade says
YUM! I love chimichurri and polenta…and brussels sprouts too 😀 Perfect recipe!
Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan says
Thanks! B-sprouts are the best 🙂
Laura @ the gluten-free treadmill says
I love polenta but never am brave enough to try it on my own! This looks so delicious – in think I must try it! 🙂
Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan says
Congrats on the new site and thank you 🙂