Craving Some R & R
Hi, guys! 
I’m going to whiz right through tonight’s dinner post because I have a hot date with my DVR, specifically American Idol and Lost. There’s just so much good TV to watch! I’m also really craving some serious R & R tonight, so quick post then vegging out!
Snack
When I got home from NuVal, a big box of Uncle Jerry’s Pretzels was waiting for me on my front porch. Sweet! I’m not typically a pretzel fan, but I love Uncle Jerry’s. They actually taste healthy, but in a good way. You can tell that they are made with high quality and wholesome ingredients.
This afternoon, I tried the Extra Dark variety, which has a unique blackened, almost burnt, taste. They were so, so delicious. I’m a big fan!
After eating a couple of pretzels, I snacked on a banana to hold me over until dinnertime.
Dinner
Real Simple had another winner with their Deep-Dish Polenta Pizza recipe. It rocked!
In addition to tasting wonderful, this recipe was so easy to make. It took practically no time to prepare and just 30 minutes to cook in the oven. Although, Mal popped the pizza back in the oven for an additional 10 minutes to give the crust a more crispy texture.
The recipe called for shredded radicchio, sun-dried tomatoes, and mozzarella, but I topped my pizza with red bell pepper, mushrooms, and crumbled blue cheese.
The melted blue cheese was to die for!
This recipe was a great twist on your usual homemade pizza. It’s definitely a keeper!
Dessert
For dessert, I finished off the final two Oatmeal Raisin Cookies from yesterday’s batch.
After dinner and dessert, Mal broke out a bottle of Berkshire Brewing Company Cabin Fever Ale. I wasn’t planning to drink, but I think I needed a beer tonight.
Mal just started American Idol and I have a beer waiting for me. Time to chill with my guys! 
Enjoy your evening!
Posted by: Tina 67 comments
Posted in: Recipes, Uncategorized
Tags: Berkshire Brewing Co. Cabin Fever Ale, Deep Dish Polenta Pizza, Uncle Jerry's Pretzels
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Dark, burned pretzels are the best! Utz makes special dark ones…I always have to buy them for my entire family whenever I’m in MA.
That pizza looks really yummy. Enjoy your relaxing evening!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
That polenta pizza looks pretty cool. Although I must admit, I think it would probably taste better with radicchio. I love radicchio ;d
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
I love dark pretzels!!
Have a great relaxing evening!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
I could go for healthy pretzels! Haven’t had those in too long
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Oh Wow. home made pizza always looks so delish – so “cheesy” !! ahaha
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
That polenta pizza looks really good. What a unique idea. I think those extra dark pretzels would be good dipped in some peanut butter.
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Great looking polenta pizza- I iwll have to give that a try for sure
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
I just discovered polenta this weekend and loved it! I’ll have to try that recipe. I need some vegging time tonight as well.
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
pretzels are my favorite snackie foods and these look fab!
great way to use polenta, too! And I like Mal’s idea of making it crispier than usual!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
I need some mayjah R+R. Thank goodness my Spring Break is soon. DVR always does the trick
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Pretzels, pizza, and beer- but none of it typical fare. All a little different a lot of delicious looking!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
After all the wonderful recipes you keep posting I must buy this cook book soon. I love that you show your variations because I’m constantly changing up recipes.
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
That pizza looks delicious. Enjoy Lost and Idol- I need some good lay back and watch American Idol tonight too
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
The polenta pizza sounds yummy
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Today was definitely a beer day over here too…
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
What a great pizza idea and something different.
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
That pizza looks delish, and I’ve never thought to cut the peppers like that for pizza- it looks so much prettier that way.
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
I really like polenta pizza, too! I’ll have to try it with blue cheese…mmmm.
Enjoy your night!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Yum– your dinner combines two of my favorite things: pizza and polenta! Enjoy catching up on tv!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
I just came off of some major R&R with my school vacation last week, but somehow I already feel not rested! I haven’t tried polenta, but your pizza makes me want to!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
I keep hearing more and more about polenta, and think it’s time to try it! Hope you have a great night!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
That pizza looks yummy- I love polenta. Enjoy your beer and rest
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
I have only had polenta once… and I really liked it! This definitely a good excuse for me have it again. I love pizza!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
1. I am a pretzel fiend. I am obsessed, so those sound phenomenal.
2. I have that EXACT recipe bookmarked to make this week. coincidence much?
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Gosh that pizza sounds awesome!!! Polenta rocks.
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
I need to start browing the Real Simple Web site more often … you always seem to pull awesome recipes from there. Looks delicious!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
It’s a pizza and beer kind of night.
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Love the pizza! Are those the same brand of pretzels that you got from Sabrina?
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
I have got to jump on this polenta pizza bandwagon. How does it compare to crust? Thinkin it’s gonna be tough to get my fiance to try it!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
dinner looks yum! I am watching AI right now!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
we just got a shipment from uncle jerry’s too! my hubby reviewed them b/c he’s from pennsylvania and considers himself a pretzel connisseur….
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Sounds like a great evening!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Polenta pizza sounds amazing!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
I am on a roll with polenta lately. Polenta fries last night, creamy polenta and eggs this morning…so delicious! Your pizza looks awesome! Enjoy your night
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Your pizza’s so pretty with the peppers cut in rings- I’m going to have to remember that to fancy up my next pizza!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
That polenta pizza looks reall amazing.
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
That pizza looks so tasty!!!!!!!!! enjoy your night!!!!!!!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
I LOVE polenta but honestly never would have thought of making it into a pizza! Thanks for this little inspiring idea!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Polenta Pizza!? That is so weird yet intriguing! Hope you enjoy your evening!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Those pretzels look great. I love those healthy tasting kind of pretzels. There was a chocolate coated one on the website. That is one of my favorite desserts.
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
BBC is made in my hometown, but we can’t get it by us (north of boston) so my dad has to bring out Growlers worth when he comes to visit. Steel Rail Pale Ale is our favorite!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Gahh, I have to say- I think you need a break girl! You are running yourself crazy, even though you do enjoy your jobs. Take a vacay.
I’ve never had polenta before, but that pizza looks yummy! I had always heard polenta was tough to make but that recipe looks great!
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Looove homemade pizza! And I agreed that there was lots of good tv on… but no Biggest Loser this week
(OR castle! I love that show!)
on Feb 24th, 2010 at 11:49 pm
Polenta pizza = brilliant! Hope the mid-week blues are over Tina!
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 12:04 am
I hope you enjoyed your R&R. Thx for the polenta pizza idea =]
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 12:18 am
I know you’re a big Publick House fan, and I don’t know if you’ve ever been to Roadhouse…but Roadhouse just re-opened tonight as American Craft, with a completely re-done menu and decor inside! I stopped in tonight after class..it’s definitely different and a lot more ‘chic’! You should check it out soon!
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 1:46 am
I LOVE Uncle Jerry’s Pretzels. The Whole Wheat kind is definitely my fave–they have an almost grainy texture, great crunch, and a liberal sprinkling of salt. Perfect pretzels if you ask me
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 1:57 am
That pizza looks phenom. I’ll def have to try those pretzels too.
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 3:03 am
I’ve never had a pretzel in my life! I feel I’m missing out….:/
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 3:29 am
Thank you for the link to that recipe! I can make it for my gluten-free mum when I’m back home from travelling! And hope you enjoyed your night
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 6:02 am
I have always wanted to try making polenta pizza but never got around to it.
Good for you for taking some R & R when you need it.
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 6:20 am
That polenta pizzza looks insane. I may just need to invest in that Real Simple cookbook. So far, all of the recipes you’ve tried out from it are right up my alley.
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 7:53 am
Yum, I love polenta! Even better with some roasted red pepper and mushrooms
Hope you had a nice night!
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 8:07 am
I had the same issue with the polenta crust when I made the pizza. I am thinking next time I might par-bake the crust before adding the toppings. Did your’s crips up with the extra 10?
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 8:11 am
Interesting recipe… I’ll definitely have to give it a try. I tried to make a sort of lasagne casserole dish with polenta once and it was a total fail. I had given up on polenta, but this recipe might convince me to try it again.
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 8:15 am
We have a BBC here too, only it’s the Bluegrass Brewing Company, ha ha. Hope you had a relaxing evening
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 8:43 am
i can eat pizza and drink beer DAILY. Love how you always “mix up” your homemade pizzas.
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 8:47 am
Oooooh LOST is my fav! So addicting.
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Yum what a great pizza……..and nothing beats pizza with beer! Have a great day….
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 9:59 am
That pizza looks great, but when I read the ingredients, I saw “red bull, peppers” not “red bell pepper” and couldn’t figure out why you would be adding red bull to a pizza!
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 10:30 am
I love pretzels – they’re my favourite treat! I really should buy some other varieties sometime. I always opt for the same brand.
K
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Polenta pizza! That sounds like a fantastic idea!
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
i love love love that polenta pizza
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
LOVE the Pats glass! Are you both fans?
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Thank you so much. I have been reading your blog for a little over a year now and everytime I read it I am put in a better mood. I truly appreciate your honesty and your hard work with your blog. Your dinner looks wonderful and I love how you make such realistic meals. Moreover, your evening with a beer, your puppy, and your husband watching American Idol sounds so ideal and REAL!
I just wanted to let you know that your blog really encourages me. It’s real life, you like beer, you life fun, you like good food ( especially pizza – my favorite) and you love health. There can be a balance and your the perfect example.
on Feb 25th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
I just made polenta pizza too! It definately was a nice twist on the normal crust!
on Mar 9th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
This is a fantastic blog! My pal over at http://lessonsinmoderation.wordpress.com/ told me to check it out, and I can see why she loves it. Great tips, great recipes and very inspiring story re: the career change and following your passions. Congrats on making it happen! I look forward to reading more AND trying this polenta pie.