courtesy of Bon Appetit

Here, sautéed polenta triangles add another dimension to a southwestern-style stew

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups finely chopped onions
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 pounds red-skinned sweet potatoes (yams; about 2 medium), peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 cups orange juice
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 15- to 16-ounce cans black beans, rinsed, drained
2 poblano chilies, seeded, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
Sour cream (optional)
Avocado slices (optional)
Orange wedges (optional)



Polenta Triangles
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup yellow cornmeal
3 tablespoons (about) olive oil




Method

1. Oil large baking sheet. Bring 2 cups water and salt to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in cornmeal. Reduce heat to medium. Stir constantly with wooden spoon until mixture is very thick, about 6 minutes.
2. Divide hot polenta into 2 equal mounds on prepared baking sheet. Using back of spoon, flatten each mound into 6-inch circle, about 1/2 inch thick. Let stand until cool. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover with plastic and refrigerate.)
3. Cut each polenta circle into 6 wedges. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add polenta to skillet; cook until slightly crisp at edges and heated through, adding more oil to skillet as necessary, about 3 minutes per side. Serve warm.