Polenta with Crumbled Sausage & Parmesan

     Polenta is perfect for cold rainy days inside. Today was not particularly cold or rainy but I was in the mood for it anyway. I encourage anyone who hasn't tried polenta to give it a go. When freshly cooked, it has a consistency I would describe as a softer grits or cream of wheat. When you cool it, it becomes a solid that you can slice and pan fry with a bit of olive oil. Polenta became popular in Italy in the 1700's. Back then polenta was considered peasant food due to the fact it was plentiful and cheap. Because food was more scarce during the winter months, polenta became a winter food staple and still is. You can find polenta at a few local chain grocery stores, I found mine at Pavilions for $2.99 a bag. However, it is more popular at grocery stores geared towards more organic and health food interests like Sprouts and Whole Foods. Since polenta is a gluten free food, it is a must try to anyone who is interested in reducing wheat intake, looking for new options! In addition to polenta being a gluten free food, polenta is said to be a great natural source of carotenoids, which are known for their role in cancer prevention and protection against heart disease. Polenta is low carb, rich in Vitamin A and C.

     My recommendation is to enjoy polenta with a hearty veggie. I chose Kale Blossoms roasted with garlic. You can do a lot to dress up your polenta, in this recipe I crumble sausage and parmesan cheese over mine. Here is how it's done:

For this recipe, I made enough for 4 people at having 1/4 cup dry polenta servings each. This would be approx.  400-450 calories a bowl with the parmesan cheese and sausage as pictured. 

You will need these ingredients: 

• Chicken Broth (better to go low sodium but I didn't have it on hand)
• A large can or jar of marinara sauce, I usually make my own but if I have to use pre made I use Trader Joes Low Fat Tuscan Marinara Sauce. It's awesome for pre-made, canned easy sauce. 
• Polenta
• 3 Mild or Hot (depending on your preference) Italian sausages
• Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 2 Tablespoons of Butter
• Kosher Salt

Method

1. Empty the sauce into a saucepan and add 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup broth. Add in the sausages, cover and stir often on medium-low heat so that the sauce and sausages do not burn. 
2. Continue to cook the sausages until they are so soft you could cut them with a spoon. You may have to add another 1/4 cup of broth if you start losing liquid. 
3. In the mean time boil 4 cups of water. Salt the water with 1/2 a teaspoon of Kosher salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil and add in 1 cup of polenta. Cover until the mixture is boiling. Once the mixture is boiling reduce the heat and stir. Cover for a couple minutes then take the lid of and stir again for a couple minutes, repeating these steps until you have a soft, thick polenta that is about the consistency of grits. Make sure to keep the heat on medium-low, you do not want to burn the polenta. Add 2 Tablespoons of butter into the polenta and mix in well until melted. 
4. On a cutting board, remove the sausages from the sauce and crumble them up with a fork and knife. They should be soft enough to make this easy. Add back to the sauce. 
5. Divide the polenta evenly into 4 bowls. Top with the sauce and sausage mixture and sprinkle with the parmesan cheese. 

A great fact about this meal is you could feed four people for less than $10.00!!!

Cheap, Healthy, Easy & Delicious!!!

Buon Appetito!