Traditional Polenta, an Italian Comfort Food served with a tasty Sausage Pork Rib Sauce. A hearty Dinner for those cold winter days.
I am going to be honest with you right from the start. I and no member of my family are Polenta lovers. So you are probably thinking then why would she do a post on Traditional Polenta if she doesn’t even like it?
Because it’s one of my favourite times of the month, “The Taste Creations Blog Hop” time. We are 4 bloggers who every month get together and make something with a certain ingredient, and yes it was decided that November would be Polenta month!
Last month we shared recipes made with herbs, and I made Easy Parmesan Rosemary Pizza Pinwheels. In September we shared Apple Recipes and I baked up some Apple Pie Cookies.
This month, since I have never made Polenta in my life, and only ever eaten it once. Needless to say, I didn’t like it then, and I don’t like it now. Luckily I have the Italian nodding his head in agreement!
We decided to make a little get together of it and our amazing Chef Friend came to my rescue. A few other friends came over and they were all excited to be eating Polenta.
I have to tell you though, he made one of the best sauces I have ever eaten, so, if like me Polenta isn’t on your Italian-Food-Wish-List, I can assure you this Sausage Pork Rib Tomato Sauce will certainly make up for it.
To start he added some olive oil to the pan, browned the meat on medium high heat, let it brown and then turn it over to brown on the other side, then a little red wine was added.
He added the Tomato Puree, some spices, water and let it simmer for about an hour. Thank goodness there was some left over sauce because it was perfect over a little Rigatoni. However you serve this Sauce with some Traditional Polenta or over Pasta, Buon Appetito!
Traditional Polenta with a Sausage Pork Rib Tomato Sauce
- 1 pound pork ribs (cut into small pieces) (500 grams)
- 5 Italian sausages
- 4 1/2 cups tomato puree (1000 grams)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (27 grams)
- 2 cloves garlic (1 whole & 1 minced)
- hot pepper flakes to taste
- 2 sprigs rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup wine (red or white) (60 grams)
- 3/4 teaspoon salt (4.23 grams)
- 1 1/2 cups water (354 grams)
- 2 cups cornmeal flour (240 grams)
- 7 cups water (1 3/4 liters)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (2.8 grams)
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In a large pot on medium high heat, add oil, garlic, sausage and ribs, salt to taste, and a dash of pepper, brown meat on both sides, add bay leaf and rosemary turn up heat and add wine and cook until wine has evaporated (approximately 5 minutes) add tomato puree and water, 1/4 teaspoon salt, stir to combine, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for approximately 1 hour or until meat is tender (fall off bone tender). Taste for salt. While sauce is simmering make the Polenta.
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In a large pot add water and bring to a boil, gradually pour in corn meal, whisking constantly to combine, once it starts to boil reduce heat but keep whisking frequently, cook for approximately 45-50 minutes whisking and until thick. Taste for salt. Serve immediately with sauce and a generous sprinkle of Freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Cheese. Enjoy!
The Taste Creations Blog Hop happens on the 1st Monday of Every Month. Every month, myself and 2-3 other bloggers challenge ourselves to make something with a chosen ingredient. Hope you will check out these recipes too. Have a great week everyone!
Our Good Life – Breakfast Polenta
Tikkido – Baked Polenta with Roasted Mushrooms
Your polenta sounds good! I tried to make polenta but I think it was a major fail!
Thanks Lauren, so sorry to hear that, you should try again.
Your recipe looks good. However, I have always been a polenta lover. I am Italian American and every Friday when I was growing up, we did not have fish on Friday, we had polenta. My mother made a simple garlicky tomato sauce. She fried garlic in olive oil, removed it, then added tomato paste and water. Simmered the sauce for the time it took to cook the polenta. Then she served it with lots of pecorino Romano cheese. Pure heaven. Sausages, etc. are a bonus, but I loved the simplicity of this wonderful dish, and still do. Great meatless meal. Thanks for your blog, I really enjoy it and have made a number of your recipes, especially Italian baked goods. They were great.
Hi Marie, thanks so much, nothing like Mom’s cooking! I am so happy you are enjoying the recipes. 🙂
Oh my word, I bet this was fantastic! I think I need to have some friends over and make this, too. What a wonderful idea.
Hi Terri, thanks it was fun!
Comfort food at its finest!
Hi Beth, thanks, I agree.
That sauce does sound absolutely amazing! And you’re right–it’s totally a perfect warm, comforting winter food.
Hi Nikki, believe me it was amazing.
Oh my … as soon as I saw your photo, it brought back so many memories! My nonna in Calabria used to make a similiar sauce over polenta. I can still taste it. I enjoy eating polenta but I haven’t made it in years. My boys didn’t like it when they were younger. I should reintroduce it and this is the perfect dish! Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe! 🙂
Hi Rosa, so glad I could bring back good memories. You never know your boys might enjoy it now. Let me know if you try it. Have a great week.
Hi Rosemary! I’m making the sauce right now and it smells divine!!! It tastes just like the one one my nonna in Calabria used to make! The sauce is for Sunday so I haven’t made the polenta yet’ but I have no doubt that it will taste delicious. ? Thanks again for sharing this delightful recipe!!!
Hi Rosa, so glad to hear that. Let me know how it goes? Happy Sunday Dinner. Have a great weekend.