Recipe for Coarse Polenta from Parmigiano Reggiano

Parmigiano Reggiano shared with us this recipe for Coarse polenta with porcini mushrooms and sausage, a rustic, comforting dish that brings together earthy porcini, savoury sausage, and rich polenta. Simmered slowly in a fragrant tomato sauce with vegetables and white wine, it’s hearty enough for winter yet vibrant enough for any season, finished with the bold, unmistakable flavour of Parmigiano Reggiano.

Coarse polenta with porcini mushrooms and sausage

Ingredients:

For Polenta

• 400 g coarse polenta flour
• ½ litre water
• 30 g Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp fine salt

For Sauce

• 50 g dry porcini mushrooms
• 2 pork sausages, not too strongly flavoured
• 250 g tomato paste
• 1 tsp tomato purée
• 1 stick of celery
• 1 onion
• 1 shallot
• 1 carrot
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 small spring of rosemary
• ¼ glass of dry white wine
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Coarse salt
• Parmigiano Reggiano, grated to dress, to taste

Directions:

1. Sauce: Soak the mushrooms in warm water replacing the water a couple of times. Squeeze and chop the mushrooms, setting aside the last soaking water.
2. Peel the carrots, clean and wash the celery, the onion, the rosemary and the shallot. Chop everything and soften in a bit of extra virgin olive oil together with garlic. When the vegetables are nice and soft, add the sausages nicely crumbled by hand or using a ricer, then brown it well. Meanwhile, warm up 250g of water.
3. Once the water of the sausages has evaporated, add the white wine, let the alcohol evaporate, then add the tomato paste and purée.
4. Finally, add the mushrooms and the soaking water, the warm water, a pinch of coarse salt and simmer for 2 hours.
5. Polenta: Put a pan with water and polenta on the heat. Add olive oil and salt, then boil for about 1 hour stirring constantly. If the polenta becomes too thick, add hot water.
6. Once cooked, add a tablespoon of butter and a handful of Parmigiano Reggiano.
7. Dress with the sauce and a generous helping of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.