Sausage Ragu with fried Polenta

Sausage Ragu with fried Polenta 

This is a very simple, yet rich and tasty meal, that you could make for a dinner party or for a weeknight meal. If you don't want to make your own Polenta, you can find a tube of it in your Deli section at the grocery store. I truly hope you try this out and don't be afraid of that fennel !

Homemade Cheesy Polenta 

Cook time - 30 minutes
chill time- 3 hours

Ingredients

2 Cup milk
2 Cups chicken broth
1 Cup yellow cornmeal
1 tsp Salt 1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese
3 Tblspn butter

Directions 

1.In a large pot, bring milk and chicken broth to a boil
2. While stirring consistently, add cornmeal, a little at a time, until all has been added and is
completely incorporated.
3. Add Salt
4. Turn heat to low and cover with lid.
5. Let simmer for 20-30min until thickens ( stirring occasionally)
6. Add cheese and butter and stir until melted.
7. Spray a 13x9 pan with cooking spray
8. Spread Polenta in pan evenly.
9. cover with suran wrap and chill in refrigerator until firm( at least 3 hours)

Sausage Ragu 

Serve this atop fried or creamy polenta. This is also a great Ragu to have with rigatoni, a great hearty pasta. 

cook time - 30min

Ingredients

1lb ground Italian Sausage
1 lb ground beef
3/4 C Fennel
1 small onion
1 tsp minced garlic or 1 garlic clove
2 tsp Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons sugar
1 28 oz Can Crushed Tomatoes plus 1/2 can of water
1 6oz Can Tomato Paste
salt and pepper

Directions 

1. In a large saucepan brown Italian Sausage and Ground beef ( Drain if there is excessive grease)
2. Dice onion and fennel bulb and add to meat, cook 7-10 min until onion is translucent
3. Add minced garlic
4. Add can of Crushed Tomatoes and tomato paste
5. Fill large crushed tomato can half way with water- add that to the pot
6. Stir everything to incorporate
7. Add Italian seasoning, sugar and salt and pepper
8. Stir again , lower heat and cover half way. Let simmer for at least 30min ( now is a good time to fry those Polenta slices)
9. Taste to see if you need more seasoning.
10. Fry Polenta slices - see directions below

Frying Polenta Slices 

If using store bought Polenta, in a tube package, slice in about 1/2 in slices. Place on a plate lined with a paper towel to soak up the extra water. 

* If using homemade Polenta, using a round cookie cutter cut as many rounds as you can, or slice into squares. Place on a plate lined with a paper towel to soak up the extra moisture. 

Directions 

1.Heat a frying pan on med/high heat. 

2. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. 

3. When melted and hot, add polenta slices and fry until golden brown, about 5 min on each side. 

4. Set on a pan or plate and keep warm until serving. 

5. Continue this process until all slices are fried and golden brown. 

Serving 

Place 2 fried polenta slices on a plate

Add a heaping serving of the Sausage Ragu atop both slices. 

Garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan . Enjoy ! 

Link to tutorial video:
https://youtu.be/qqMfORNpUgY