Thursday, October 28, 2010

Herbed Polenta, Rolls, and a Giveaway

I thought it was a stroke of good timing that I was contacted by a representative of CSN Stores to be able to offer you a giveaway, as this is my 300th post!  Woohoo, yay and all that!  I never really knew when I started this little blog that I would enjoy it so much and meet so many nice people along the way.  And getting to work with CSN Stores is a perk I never even dreamed of, and I never cease to be amazed at the variety of products they offer from  kitchen bar stools  to pet supplies.  I will fill you in on the giveaway details after I talk about the food :)



 I ran across the recipe for these rolls at a forum called Cuisine at Home, and was intrigued by them since they contain a custard mix.  They called them Custard Rich Rolls, which I thought was a little bit of an odd name, but whatever.  I liked them.  I liked the bakery-like smell and sweetness that the custard mix added to them.  They were pretty darned easy, only one rising, and I'd definitely try them again.  My husband found them too dense.  I tried to make them some little dunce caps for them but it just didn't quite work out.  



Here's the recipe:

Custard Rich Rolls

1 Cup Warm Milk 80F
1/4 Cup Water, warm 80F
1/4 Cup Butter Softened
1 Egg
1 tsp Salt
4 Cups Bread Flour
1/4 Cup Vanilla Pudding mix or egg custard or flan mix (I used the flan mix)
1 Tbl Sugar
1 Tbl Instant Dry Yeast

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. After five minutes of mixing add 1 to 2 Tbl Water or Flour(whichever is needed).
Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Form into rolls, place into pan and cover. Let rise in a warm place. About 1 hour.
Bake in a pre-heated oven 350F for 20 -25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack for five minutes. Coat top with melted butter.


Tonight I also tried my hand at making Herbed Polenta that I saw at Girlichef.  The funny thing about cooking the polenta is that no matter how low I turned the heat and how much I stirred, it kept doing this volcanic thing right in the middle and spewing halfway up to the ceiling.  And onto my hand. 


 But it was worth it, just perfect with the brisket on top...yum!  Only bad part is that it made a massive amount and I'm the only one who likes it.  Anyone want to come over for polenta tomorrow??

Here's the recipe from Girlichef:

 9 c. water
1 Tbs. salt
2½ c. yellow cornmeal or polenta
1½ c. finely grated parmesan cheese
1½ c. whole milk  (I only used about 1/2 cup)
10 Tbs. unsalted butter, cut into pieces
~½ c. chopped mixed herbs...I used flat leaf parsley, fresh thyme, fresh rosemary, fresh chives
¾ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Bring water to a boil in large, heavy pot. Add salt. Gradually whisk in cornmeal. Reduce heat to low, stirring often, until mixture thickens and cornmeal is tender, ~15 mins. Remove from heat, add cheese, milk, butter, herbs and pepper. Stir until butter and cheese melt. Serve.

So I'll plan to leave the giveaway open through Tuesday Nov. 2nd 10pm...Arizona time, whatever that is.  What's up for grabs is a $60 gift code to any of CSN's stores.  
To enter, just leave a comment of any sort and you're in (preferably a nice comment, if you tell me I suck it will make me cry). (I believe CSN ships to US and Canada)

For a second entry, hop on over to my Facebook page and click that "like" button.  If you do, or you already have, please let me know in a separate comment.

For a third entry, and this is a tricky one, if you can remember what I said many months ago (maybe years) that my favorite song is, you'll get an extra entry. (make this a separate comment too) 

Be sure I'm able to reach you in some way!

I'll plan to announce the winner on November the 3rd and contact you by email to let you know.

Thanks for playing!   
 



 

35 comments:

Rusthawk said...

Love the recipes! That polenta looks awesome (so does the brisket!).

Congratulations on your 300th post! I am a new follower. :)

Rusthawk said...

I liked your facebook page.

Brownieville Girl said...

I can't enter the giveaway, but wanted to comment on all your fantastic baking and cooking - looks wonderful!

P.S. I'd love to pop over for some of that polenta ;-)

Joanne said...

My polenta often does that as well. It's kind of scary. I feel like I should run for the hills or something. Looks delicious though, as do those rolls! congrats on the 300 posts chica!

Topher said...

Those rolls look delicious. Bread is my weakness. Thanks for the great giveaway!


Chris

zekks at yahoo dot com

Kristen said...

Hi - congrats on 300 posts! Great giveaway (and yummy recipes too)
k_springthorpe(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kristen said...

And I liked your facebook page

Michel-lee said...

Congrats on your 300th post. I've got to try the polenta recipe. It looks super good in your pic.

Ironjack said...

:) wasn't going for the giveaway, was gonna comment anyhow.

I loved the rolls beautiful! Congrats on your 300th post!

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

always polenta... so much fun to flavor


I've used pudding in cake mixes and loved it... never in rolls... i smell a delicious project!

Cristine said...

Custard rolls... Interesting! They look great!

The JR said...

They have to be good with a name like that!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

I'm coming over but only if I get some brisket and rolls with the polenta. How 'bout dessert? Can I get a little dessert too? Is that pushing it? :)

Happy Friday!
~ingrid

Debbi Does Dinner Healthy said...

I hate to make anyone cry so you certainly don't suck. :-)

The rolls look awesome, very interesting with pudding or flan mix. I'm going to save that!

I saw the polenta on girlichef and was drooling!

Nice on the 300th post! I just toppled that milestone too I think!

Domestic Diva said...

Congrats on 300 posts! The rolls look yummy.

Karen said...

Fun giveaway! I LOL at the dunce caps for the "dense" rolls. Cute :)

Karen said...

I "liked" you on FB :)

Julie M. said...

I'm so in! Those rolls look like they turned out absolutely perfect! Your polenta looks delicious as well. I love the addition of the cheese.

Have a fabulous Halloween weekend!

Julie M. said...

I liked you on facebook as well!

Katrina said...

I like you on FB now!

Katrina said...

I see that you've made and posted PW's salsa. I've made it a few times. It is one of my favorite salsas.

Katrina said...

I cheated and searched your blog for your favorite song and found it on your 100th post. ;)

Taylor said...

I'll come over for polenta...its one of my faves!!

grace said...

pillow soft, that's what these rolls are. they're also awesome. congrats on the milestone! looking glass would be proud. :)

Jessie said...

Those rolls look amazing - I love homemade bread.

Jessie

meeyeehere said...

I am drooling just thinking about one of those hot rolls and some yummy food!YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jacksoncrisman@yahoo.com

meeyeehere said...

I am a facebook liker too
rachel carter crisman
jacksoncrisman@yahoo.com

Thank you and have a wonderful Halloween and a fabulous week

Chris said...

Some of the rolls we have done on Alexis' cooker have been slightly dense too, but we haven't been able to isolate the cause yet. Today's came out perfectly.

Mimi said...

The rolls looks great, pudding mix is an interesting ingredient, but worth a try.
I grew up eating polenta and love it. For breakfast my mom always diced up the leftovers and fried them in butter and onion and then topped it with a fried egg . Yum!
Mimi

Reeni said...

Congrats on 300 posts! These buns are gorgeous!

Debbie said...

Those rolls look unbelievable! Love your recipes.

Alexis AKA MOM said...

The rolls look perfect! I'm adding it to my to do list for Thanksgiving!

Thank you my dear :)

Alexis AKA MOM said...

Like your FB :)

Alexis AKA MOM said...

Ok let me see if I get this right :)

Brandy by Looking Glass

Tracy said...

I've tried making polenta before with no luck. This one looks really good though. Creamy and delicious!
trixinsane2303@yahoo.com