Lori I thought of you tonight when we had this kick butt dinner that was gluten free. You have to like veggies though! Kale, White bean and Vegetable stew over Polenta YIELD: 4 servings (serving size: 1 3/4 cups) Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 cup chopped onion (I think I used about double that) 2 (4-ounce) links Italian style chicken sausage, cut into (1/2-inch) slices. You could also use turkey sausage, and I recommend getting the spicy kind for this dish. 1 zucchini, quartered and cut into (1/2-inch) slices (about 2 cups) I added half a green pepper, but it is optional and did add a little more oomph to the flavor (again, if you like green peppers) 3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed 6 cups chopped trimmed kale (about 1/2 pound) 1/2 cup water (I used vegetable broth, could also use chicken broth) 2 (16-ounce) cans cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed and drained. (I used butter beans, I love them!) I only used one can 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced fire roasted tomatoes, undrained 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 tsp. italian seasoning and a healthy dash of Mrs. Dash garlic and herb seasoning Preparation Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saut� onion and sausage 4 minutes or until sausage is browned. Add zucchini and garlic; cook 2 minutes. Add kale and remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated. (I added about 1 TBLSP tomato paste to thicken the stew) Serve immediately over polenta. Polenta (Get it from Bob's Red Mill, their stuff is usually very fresh) 2 cups water and 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth, or all water 1/4 tsp. salt (use 1/2 if you're using all water) 1 cup polenta 1/4 cup parmesean or romano cheese or fontina cheese 1 1/2 TBLSP butter for frying (that's optional, you can use olive oil or broil polenta instead of frying, or just serve the stew over soft polenta.) Bring the water/broth mix to a boil. Add the salt and stir in the polenta. Stir it as you add it to the pot to keep it from clumping. Turn the pot down to low. Simmer the polenta for at least 15 min., until it is very thick. Add the cheese. Pour the polenta into a large flat pan, well oiled. Let the polenta cool and coagulate in the pan. This will take about 15 min. Can make ahead. Then, cut the polenta into squares and fry in butter until browned on both sides, which should take about 10 min. Can also brush with olive oil and broil the polenta. Serve in flat bowls topped with the stew and a shaving of parmesean cheese. Yummo!

This thread is just what I needed to see. Tinker your kitchen is beautiful and all of you are so helpful. tinker: what color stain did you use for cabinets and flooring? Are your cabinets maple or cherry? I also like the gold color paint you used...that is one color I'm starting to look at for my own kitchen but will it blend well going into my family room and dining room? What color did you paint your kitchen? I too am redoing my kitchen and will be refinishing and restaining my hardwood floors. The company I am using told me I had red oak floor. I have contracted with an Amish Cabinet maker and still have to decide on color of cabinets as well. Have made the decision to go with maple cabinets but have yet to make the decision on color of them. I wanted Cherry but my budget won't allow the. My dilemma is whether to stain the cabinets a white/cream with glaze because I've had white and have grown found of that or to change it up and stain them something like tinker has. I'm just wondering whether dark or light cabinets give more options for chosing paint color and granite countertops? I know very soon, my husband will ask, "what color paint" and rush me to make a decision that I might regret. Paint is very hard for me to pick out. Should I have countertops picked before paint? I haven't even looked at those yet...figured I'd wait till closer to finish line for that. I'm going to post two links for you all. One is of my kitchen before and during (there is no after yet) and the other link is to my house and how its painted and decorated for suggestions to a paint color suggestion for my kitchen and whether I should stain my new maple cabinets or have them painted and glazed. Too many decisions....you guys are awesome!! Pictures of my home: https://picasaweb.google.com/kim.weinhold/MyHome?authkey=Gv1sRgCNuo1LvayLa14wE# Here is a link that might be useful: Recent pictures of my kitchen

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Sophie..so glad you chimed in here :-) i agree. I think a sink, even a small one at the bar/beverage area would be good. Do you think 3 sinks is too much? While the place is gutted, I think it's smart. Yes, after looking at those beverage center cabinets..they would look better if in line with the ones to the left. Or the one to the left needs to be a solid door?? And stemware holders and maybe even a wine rack?? I will show this to the kids (30s, not kids). Posting island schematic. Kids planning trash in island and (I think) to right of window sink. Two trash pull outs. Overkill? They recycle big time compared to us. Hmmm. i have no idea how they are planning to support the stone. But, I will find out. I will also make sure that they have done their homework on the design of the island. I hadn't even considered this. i agree that there is a mismatch between the quality of the cabinets and the appliances they have selected. I think they could have gotten a similar price from one of our local custom cabinet makers. We are 3 hrs south. But they went with this place because they can get the cabinets in a few weeks. The house is an up and coming city neighborhood. They bought it right. They are planning resale in 5 years. According to them, buyers don't even look at cabinet quality but they do pay attention to appliances thus the SZ frig and Wolf range. Sad commentary. They are watching every dime and want to turn a profit but I wish I felt more confident about the cabinet specs. I printed out your post and I'm going to talk to them about your last paragraph and the specs you listed. Perhaps these cabinets can be upgraded. I know there is only two whites. Thank you!!!