Creamy Slow Cooker Polenta With Sausages Food

CREAMY POLENTA

Steps:

• Spray the insert of a slow cooker with cooking spray (for easier clean up) and preheat on high.
• In a medium saucepan, add the milk, 1 cup half-and-half, 1 tablespoon butter, and polenta. Season with salt and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking constantly to keep the mixture lump-free. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the mixture into the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours, stirring once or twice per hour. Once you are ready to serve, open the slow cooker and whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, remaining 1/3 cup half-and-half, and Parmesan.

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 (SLOW COOKER)

Steps:

• Spray insert of slow cooker with cooking spray and preheat on high.
• In a medium saucepan, add milk, one cup half and half, 1 Tbsp butter, and polenta. Season and bring to a boil over medium high heat, whisking constantly. Boil for 2-3 minutes.
• Pour the mixture into the slow cooker and cook for two hours, stirring once or twice per hour.
• When ready to serve, whisk in the remaining half and half, butter, and Parmesan cheese.