Polenta Pizza

SERVES 8

A popular dish in Italy, polenta refers to both a specific type of cornmeal and the dish it is used to make. Find granulated garlic in your local health food store.

2 18-oz. pkg. precooked polenta
2 Tbs. water
2 Tbs. cornstarch
2 Tbs. unbleached all-purpose flour
1 Tbs. granulated garlic
½ cup plus ⅓ cup soy Parmesan cheese
2 cups tomato sauce from 25-oz. jar, reserving remainder
4 slices soy Canadian bacon, cut into 2-inch strips
½ medium red bell pepper, sliced into 2-inch strips
3 scallions, thinly sliced tops with 2 inches of green

Preheat oven to 450F. Spray pizza pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Slice polenta, and place in food processor. Process polenta, and add water, cornstarch, flour, garlic and 1/2 cup soy Parmesan cheese. Blend until smooth. Spread polenta evenly on pizza pan.
Bake for 15 minutes. Remove polenta from oven, and spread 2 cups sauce evenly over polenta crust. Top with sliced soy bacon, bell peppers, scallions and remaining 1/3 cup soy Parmesan cheese.
Bake 25 minutes more. Remove from oven, and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

May 2003