Sausage and Broccoli Rabe with Polenta

Contributed by The Food & Wine Test Kitchen

SERVINGS: 4

For a rustic Italian meal, sausage and broccoli rabe are simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce and served over creamy polenta. If you like, pass freshly grated Parmesan cheese at the table.

slideshow Great Comfort Food Recipes

1 pound broccoli rabe, tough stems removed
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/3 pounds hot or mild Italian sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup dry white wine
One 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes in thick puree
1 1/2 cups chicken stock or canned low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 1/2 cups water
1 1/3 cups coarse or medium cornmeal

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the broccoli rabe until tender, about 2 minutes. Drain, then rinse in cold water and drain again thoroughly. Cut into 2-inch pieces and set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the extra-virgin olive oil in a large heavy skillet. Add the sausage and cook over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a plate and let cool slightly. Slice the sausage into 1/2-inch-thick rounds.
Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the skillet. Add the onion and garlic and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the wine and bring to a simmer. Stir in the sausage slices, tomatoes, stock, thyme and 1 1/4 teaspoons of the salt. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Add the broccoli rabe, parsley and pepper and return to a simmer.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine the water and the remaining 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt and bring to a boil. Whisk in the cornmeal in a slow steady stream, then whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until the polenta is thickened, about 20 minutes.
Spoon the polenta onto dinner plates and top with the sausage and broccoli rabe ragout.

Suggested Pairing

This dish wants a red wine without a high level of tannins, which could combine with the broccoli rabe to create an unpleasant bitterness. One excellent choice: an Italian Barbera with minimal tannin, such as Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti.

Sausage and Broccoli Rabe with Polenta

Suggested Pairing

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