Polenta is one of my favorite dishes. It always sounded daunting before the first time I tried making it, but it’s so easy and delicious. With an amazing combination of sausage and tomatoes on top, it’s the perfect warming dish as we get into the beginning of winter.
For the polenta, you can use this stovetop recipe or this easy oven-baked polenta recipe.
Polenta with Sausage & Tomatoes
For polenta:
2 cups cornmeal
2 tsp salt
8-10 cups boiling water
For topping:
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
1/2 tsp ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1lb hot or mild sausage, cut into smaller sections
3 garlic cloves
1 tsp basil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 (28-oz) can of crushed or diced tomatoes with their juices
Red pepper flakes
Chopped parsley, for garnish
Grated pecorino cheese, for serving
DIRECTIONS
1. In a heavy-bottomed pot, boil 8 cups water with 2 tsp salt over medium-high heat. Slowly whisk in the cornmeal. Continue whisking as mixture comes to a boil and begins to thicken.
2. Turn heat to low and switch from a whisk to a wooden spoon. Stir every few minutes, for about 40 minutes, adding a splash of water as necessary to keep polenta from thickening too much. It may take as much as 2 cups more liquid to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency. Taste polenta for salt and add pepper to taste. Stir well, cover and keep warm for up to 30 minutes.
3. While the polenta is cooking, add olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until softened.
4. Add sausages and let brown on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Add garlic and basil, and cook for 1 minute more. Add vinegar and a 1/4 cup water, turn up heat, and let reduce by half.
5. Add tomatoes and their juices and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about 1 hour, or until sauce has thickened somewhat to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust with salt and red-pepper flakes.
6. Scoop polenta onto plates and top with the sausage & tomato mixture. Garnish with parsley and cheese.
7. Enjoy!