Creamy Polenta With Andouille Sausage Food

CREAMY POLENTA WITH ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Bring the milk and 2 cups water to a simmer in a medium saucepan over low heat.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil starts to shimmer, add the andouille and spread out into a single layer. Cook until browned on the first side, 2 to 3 minutes. Use tongs to flip the sausage pieces and cook until browned on the second side, 2 to 3 minutes more. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a medium bowl and cover with foil to keep warm.
• Add the bell pepper and a pinch of salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and browned in spots, about 3 minutes. Add a drizzle more of oil if the pan seems too dry.
• Transfer to a medium bowl and cover with foil to keep warm. Add the tomatoes and cook, without moving, until the tomatoes are browned on their bottoms and the skins on some are starting to burst, about 2 minutes; add a drizzle of oil if the pan seems too dry. Shake the skillet from side to side several times to turn the tomatoes and cook, shaking the pan frequently to keep the tomatoes moving, until the skins on all of the tomatoes have burst, about 2 minutes more. Transfer the tomatoes to the same bowl as the bell pepper, then season with salt and pepper and stir gently to combine.
• By this time, the milk and water should have come to a simmer. Slowly whisk in the polenta, and a pinch of salt and pepper then continue whisking until the polenta has thickened and just pulls from the sides of the saucepan, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the butter and Cheddar until melted, about 1 minute. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper if needed. If you would like the polenta looser, whisk in 1/4 to 1/2 cup warm water.
• Divide the polenta among 4 bowls and top with the andouille sausage, bell pepper and tomatoes. Garnish with the scallions and serve with hot sauce on the side.

CREAMY POLENTA

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring the water, milk and butter to a boil. Add 2 teaspoons of salt to the water and whisk in the polenta. Whisk constantly for 3 to 4 minutes to prevent lumps. Simmer for 45 minutes, partially covered and stirring every 10 minutes, until the polenta is thick, smooth, and creamy. Add the creme fraiche and Parmesan. Check for seasoning and adjust consistency by adding milk or water to the polenta. Polenta may be made up to 20 minutes ahead of time and kept covered until ready to serve.

POLENTA WITH SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• Bring 6 cups of water to a simmer and add the polenta. Cook over low heat, stirring often, 45 minutes. Stir in the butter, Parmesan and olive oil and keep warm.
• Add the tomatoes, sausage, garlic, peppers, onion and crushed red pepper to a large cast-iron pot and simmer, 30 minutes. Serve sauce over polenta, topped with some ricotta and basil.

SAUSAGE AND FENNEL RAGOUT WITH CREAMY POLENTA

Steps:

• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add in olive oil.
• Add in sausage, breaking it up with the back of a wooden spoon; cook until browned, 4-5 minutes.
• Add in the red onion, fennel, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper; cook, stirring frequently, for about 4 minutes or until the vegetables wilt and the onions become translucent.
• While the vegetables are cooking, start the polenta: In a saucepan, combine 2 ½ cups chicken broth and milk; season with salt and pepper.
• Place over med-high heat and bring to a simmer.
• Back to the vegetables: once the vegetables have wilted, add in the white wine and remaining 1 ½ cups chicken broth to the skillet; increase heat to high and bring up to a simmer.
• Cook about 4-5 minutes, to reduce liquids by half; stir in the chopped parsley.
• To the simmering chicken stock/milk, add in the polenta; whisk constantly until the cornmeal masses together.
• Add in the butter and grated cheese; stir to combine (if polenta becomes too thick, add more broth or milk).
• Serve polenta in a shallow bowl; top with a helping of sausage and fennel ragout; garnish with more Parmigiano-Reggiano.

CREAMY POLENTA WITH PARMESAN AND SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Put oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add sausages and cook, turning occasionally, until well browned on all sides and cooked through, about 20 minutes. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, put cornmeal in a medium saucepan along with 1 cup water and whisk well to make a slurry; continue whisking mixture to eliminate any lumps. Put pan over medium-high heat, sprinkle with salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook, whisking frequently and adding water as needed to keep mixture loose and free of lumps, between 3 and 4 more cups. If mixture becomes too thick, simply add a bit more water; consistency should be similar to sour cream's.
• Polenta will be done in 15 to 30 minutes, depending on grind. Add cheese and butter. Taste and add salt, if necessary, and lots of pepper; serve topped with sausages.