Italian Sausage & Polenta

I was once at a cooking class where the chef was preparing grits as one of the side dishes.  A woman in the class blurted out, "I don't like grits!"  The chef smiled and asked, "Do you like polenta?" and her reply was, "Oh yes, I love polenta."  Then he kindly explained that they are pretty much the same thing.  I grew up with grits at my house.  Never polenta.  Our grits were more like the breakfast kind that you added a little sugar and butter to.  Then I grew up and discovered this wonderful thing called polenta that becomes the ultimate rich side dish when combined with Parmesan cheese.  Like mashed potatoes.  Only Italian.  And better.  This meal is a very simple, but elegant entree.  All you need is bread and a dessert and you have the makings for a wonderful dinner party.  So whether you call them GRITS or POLENTA, it doesn't matter here at The Devilish Dish, I just want you to call them DELICIOUS!

An elegant Italian alternative
to Meat & Potatoes...

Only 6 ingredients...
7 if you count the water...

Cook sausage in a skillet with water
until the water evaporates.

Brown sausage and onion
in olive oil.
(Action Shot)

Add tomatoes and season with
salt and pepper.

Add polenta to salted water.
Stir constantly about 30 minutes.

Remove from heat and add Parmesan cheese.

Serve sausage mixture
on top of polenta.
Garnish with additional cheese and
fresh basil.

This recipe is featured at the Foodie Friday Linky Party.  Check out some other great recipes there too!

Italian Sausage & Polenta

1 pound Italian Sausage (hot or mild is up to you)
1 small onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 quarts salted water
2 cups polenta
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Slice sausage into 2-inch pieces.  Place in a large skillet with 1/2-inch of water.  Cover over medium high heat until water evaporates.  Remove sausage from skillet and add olive oil.  Over medium heat, brown sausage and onion.  Drain.  Add tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.  Simmer over low heat, for one hour, stirring occasionally.  When sauce is almost done, prepare polenta.  Boil salted water, pour polenta slowing into water, stirring continuously.  Be careful as polenta will pop as it cooks.  Cook over low heat until polenta leaves side of pan.  Stir constantly and cook about 20-30 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese.  Serve sausage mixture on top of polenta.  Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.

Prep Time:  Approximately 30 minutes     Cook Time:  Approximately 1 hour