POLENTA WITH HEARTY BARBECUE SAUCE

Serves 8

Textured vegetable protein (TVP) provides a meaty flavor with none of meat’s fat or cholesterol. You’ll find it in natural food stores.

       3 teaspoons soy sauce

       1 large onion, finely chopped

       1 bell pepper, finely diced

       3 large garlic cloves, minced

       1 15-ounce can tomato sauce

       1 cup textured vegetable protein (TVP)

       1 tablespoon sugar

       1 teaspoon chili powder

       2 tablespoons cider vinegar

       1 tablespoon peanut butter

       1 teaspoon stoneground or Dijon-style mustard

       4 cups cooked polenta (1 cup uncooked)

Heat ½ cup of water and 1 teaspoon of soy sauce in a large pot.

Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic and cook until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, TVP, sugar, chili powder, vinegar, peanut butter, mustard, and 1 cup of water. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the TVP is softened and the sauce is thick, about 10 minutes.

Spread the cooked polenta onto a serving bowl or platter, then top with sauce and serve.

Per serving: 146 calories; 8 grams protein; 24 grams carbohydrate; 1 gram fat; 215 mg of sodium; 0 mg cholesterol