Sunday, June 12, 2011

Polenta with Mushroom & Sausage Sauce

Polenta, grits, mush, gruel or porridge is all pretty much the same thing, boiled cornmeal. The big difference comes from the type of corn used and whether it is ground coarsely or fine or anywhere in between. Anyway you look at it polenta is good and found through out the world in one form or another. The dish itself is rather bland until you add something to it, such as cheese or put something on it like a sauce. Today I topped it with a sauce.

Polenta with Mushroom & Sausage Sauce
Polenta:
Polenta, Grits or cornmeal
water
Sauce:
1 tbs Olive Oil
2 Hot Italian Sausages, casing removed, cut into 1/2 moons
4 oz Mushrooms, cut into large pieces
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
1 tbs Tomato Paste
1 24 oz can Crushed Tomatoes

For the Polenta:
Since I don't know whether you are cooking grits, polenta or cornmeal and how coarsely it is ground I am going to go out on a limb here and tell you to follow the directions on the package. You can add cheese, butter or any other flavoring that you desire.

For the Sauce:
Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering add the sausage and mushrooms. Cook until the mushrooms start to brown. Add the garlic and let it cook for 30 seconds, then add the tomato paste. Let the tomato paste cook for a minute or so and then add the tomatoes. When the sauce starts to bubble, turn the sauce to low and let it cook until you are ready to eat. The longer you let it cook the thicker it will become.  Don't let it become to thick and dried out, but if you do add a little water or wine to loosen it back up and cook until it reaches your desired consistency.
Plating:

Polenta is traditionally served family style on a wooden board. I shaved a little parmesan cheese and sprinkled some basil ribbons over the top. The basil was more to give the photo some color than anything else. I highly recommend a glass of red wine to go with this.

10 comments:

  1. Thats one heck of a polenta pizza? Thats what is looks like for sure... I love it,and I recommend this with a whole bottle of Merlot lol! YUMO~

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  2. looks great i haven't made polenta in a while time to make some

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  3. I love polenta! Usually I just serve it as a side dish, but this is a wonderful idea! Looks pretty and yummy!

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  4. TOP 9 Today Congratulations!!!!! Well deserved and its about time FB gave praise to your wonderful well presented delicious foods! I am so happy for you!!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!!!! (that's a big one too)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  5. You went to State?!?!?!?!! I'll forgive you... only because you made this amazing polenta :D I love the mushrooms too!!!

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  6. Simply outstanding. Polenta can be somewhat boring at times. You pushed polenta over the top!
    thanks!

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  7. Thanks everyone for all of the nice comments.
    Claudia you should have been in the Top 9 10 times for every time I have been there.
    Yes Tiffany I am a Spartan. I was one when UoM used to win all of the time and MSU was always in the middle of the pack. The last couple of years times have changed.
    Thanks for the retweet Rebecca.
    Pizzatherapy I think you like this because, as Claudia pointed out, it looks like a pizza.

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  8. OH MY YUMMY!!! I love polenta! This is such a great recipe. I am DEF. making it this weekend! Thanks for sharing this!

    We just started following your blog! Cannot WAIT for more of your recipes!

    Love,

    http://chickswholovetoeat.blogspot.com/

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  9. This looks like a fun dish to make. I love polenta, but you're right in that it needs something to kick it up a notch. Yum!

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