{"id":7688,"date":"2014-06-20T06:30:53","date_gmt":"2014-06-20T12:30:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.blissfulbasil.com\/?p=7688"},"modified":"2021-04-27T15:06:01","modified_gmt":"2021-04-27T21:06:01","slug":"smoky-chipotle-polenta-with-spiced-portobellos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blissfulbasil.com\/smoky-chipotle-polenta-with-spiced-portobellos\/","title":{"rendered":"Smoky Chipotle Polenta with Spiced Portobellos"},"content":{"rendered":"

This vegan smoky chipotle polenta with spiced portobellos is a spicy, summery dream. Smoked poblano and chipotle peppers are woven throughout an ultra creamy polenta that gets topped with spiced portobellos and a sweet 'n' tangy mango salsa.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Smoky<\/a><\/p>\n

Polenta isn't the most summery\u00a0dish, but we've had quite the dreary week in Chicago. Thunderstorms\u00a0have been bookending our days and nights with\u00a0fleeting pops of sunshine poking through\u00a0gray clouds.<\/p>\n

Since I like to cook to the occasion, I figured a comforting meal was much needed. However, rather than a traditional savory polenta + mushroom pairing, this\u00a0dish melds savory comfort with bright pops of sunshiny flavor. It hits the spot during this seasonal transition from\u00a0late spring<\/del>\u00a0pretend summer\u00a0to real summer.<\/p>\n

Polenta is cooked over the stove and brought to life with the addition of smoked poblanos, chipotle peppers, chives, garlic, and olive oil. It's full of smoky flavor and\u00a0 has this slow-warming\u00a0kick of\u00a0spice\u00a0that will keep you coming back for more. Portobellos are tossed in a sweet-and-spicy mixture of coconut sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon + salt and baked or grilled to juicy tenderness. They are packed with flavor and complement the smokiness in the polenta so nicely. Then...<\/p>\n

Are you ready for the sunshiny\u00a0twist??<\/p>\n

You are? Thought so.<\/p>\n

A colorful, sweet, and tangy mango salsa rounds out the dish and cuts through the savory notes in the most lovely of ways. Without this salsa, the dish would feel too heavy for a summer's day but with the salsa, well, it becomes vibrant and lively.<\/p>\n

...and if we're keeping it real, then I should let you know that I dumped on about a \u00bd cup more salsa after taking these photos. No dainty salsa enjoyment around here; we go big and sloppy or we go... home (home is here, here is home... confusing<\/em>).<\/p>\n

This dish is\u00a0a perfect date night meal\u00a0but could also be doubled or tripled\u00a0for a larger gathering. If you're not quite feeling the whole slave over the hot stove in the summer<\/em> vibe, then just make the salsa and pair it with tortilla chips. It's super easy and packed with flavor, and there's no shame in sticking with salsa.<\/p>\n

Also, I'm sending you all a huge and grateful thank you for being so supportive and awesome. I've received a handful of heartwarming emails with kind words about the blog, and each one has meant so much to me. Thank you for taking time out of your day to read, comment, email, like, etc. You are all so wonderful and inspiring.<\/p>\n

I hope you all have a fun-filled weekend! Dan and I are celebrating our 2-year wedding anniversary a week early and are looking forward to a weekend\u00a0of good food (finally checking out Mana<\/a>\u00a0and Eataly<\/a>), cute movies (How to Train Your Dragon 2), and lakeshore bike rides. Cheers to\u00a0summer and to you<\/em>!<\/p>\n

Today's Sound Bite is dedicated to my #1\u00a0inspiration, patient taste-tester, and best friend,\u00a0Dan<\/a>. I know, I know. Cheesefest, but just this once.<\/em><\/p>\n