I may have the only child in the world who begs for split pea soup as an after-school snack, but I'm not complaining. Yesterday I needed to cook dinner early because we were going out to dinner. To you non-vegetarians,
The heartiness of polenta makes it a comforting menu addition when autumn's chill sets in. The coarse grains develop their characteristic mushiness when they're mixed with simmering liquid, so reserve some stamina for stirring.