TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
8 PM * The Goldbergs In a new episode called “The Lasagna
You Deserve,” Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) recruits Barry and Erica (Troy Gentile, Hayley Orrantia) to help her teach their kid brother Adam (Sean Giambrone) to be more assertive. Adam takes things too far, however, leaving him guilt-stricken. Meanwhile, Murray (Jeff Garlin) vows to be a better friend after discovering that Vic (guest star Cedric Yarbrough) doesn’t trust him with a secret. David Koechner, Richard Kind, Stephen Tobolowsky, Dan Bakkedahl and Artemis Pebdani also guest star.
8:30 PM * American Housewife As the 100th episode of his podcast, “Getting Frank With Franklin,” rolls around, Franklin (Evan O’Toole) invites the entire Otto family to be his guests, but after watching the intrusive style he employs with others in the house, Katie (Katy Mixon) vows to keep her own interview light and fun in the new episode “Getting Frank With the Ottos.” That becomes a lot harder, though, when Kathryn (recurring guest star Wendie Malick), Katie’s button-pushing mom, unexpectedly joins her for the session. Matt Shively also guest stars. 9PM * The Conners A health scare ensues after Darlene (Sara Gilbert) starts to crumble under the pressure of her new job in the new episode “Panic Attacks, Hardware Store and Big Mouth Billy Bass.” Elsewhere, Dan (John Goodman) tries to lend a hand to Ben (Jay Ferguson) at the hardware store, although it quickly becomes obvious the two men don’t see eye to eye on how to run a business.
10 PM (FX) Snowfall Season 4 of this historical crime drama opens on Jan. 1, 1985, where Ronald Reagan successfully has won reelection to the presidency. Yet while this president declares that it’s “morning again in America,” the demand for crack cocaine on the streets of South Central Los Angeles remains higher than ever. Franklin Saint (Damson Idris) and his dealers are reaping the benefits of this rise in drug addiction, but the Los Angeles Police Department is diverting unprecedented money and resources to Washington’s new “war on drugs.” Another episode follows.
It’s that casserole time of year again, when we want carb-rich, cheesy and thoroughly cozy meals. This soft, dense polenta casserole, constructed like a lasagna but without the noodles, will satisfy the craving.
On the surface, it looks just like a traditional lasagna, a blanket of brown-edged mozzarella tucked into the red sauce. But cut yourself a slice, and you’ll see the difference. Separating the creamy ricotta layers are thick, yellow stripes of polenta speckled green with spinach. With its gentle corn flavor, the polenta offers a sweet contrast to the savory tomato sauce, along with a pleasingly nubby texture that’s firm but not chewy.
The polenta may also come as a surprise. And that’s part of the appeal, especially now during our collective cooking rut, when many
of us are craving something that’s novel but still familiar and comforting.
Making this recipe isn’t hard, but it does take time. You’ll need to cook the polenta on the stove, then bake it until firm before assembling the dish. (If it’s more convenient, you could do all that the day before.) The colder the polenta is when you layer it, the less likely it is to break apart. But don’t worry too much: If a piece of polenta falls off or cracks, just smush it back onto the slab. No one will notice after the casserole is baked, a gorgeous molten thing, capped with gooey cheese.
Be sure to get a good brand of marinara sauce, preferably one with chunky bits of tomato, for the deepest flavor. Or even better, if you have homemade marinara sauce stowed away in the freezer, use it here.
This recipe makes a lot of servings, possibly more than the number of members in your household. But leftovers freeze well. Pull them out when you need something warming and rich.