Polenta with Sausage, Tomato and Olive Ragout

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• One 28-ounce can peeled Italian tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 cup red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• Pinch of crushed red pepper
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 6 fresh sweet pork sausages (about 2 pounds)
• 7 cups water
• 3/4 cup Calamata olives, pitted
• 1 1/2 cups instant polenta
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• Flat-leaf parsley leaves, for garnish

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet.
2. Add the onion and cook over moderately low heat until translucent, about 8 minutes.
3. Add the tomatoes, red wine, balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, sugar, oregano and crushed pepper; season with salt and pepper.
4. Simmer the ragout until it thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the sausages in 1 cup of the water over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, until cooked through, about 12 minutes.
6. Transfer to a cutting board and thickly slice crosswise on the diagonal, then stir into the ragout with the olives.
7. Keep warm.
8. In a large saucepan, bring the remaining 6 cups of water to a boil with 2 teaspoons of salt.
9. Add the polenta and cook, stirring, until thick, 1 to 2 minutes.
10. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter, rosemary and 1/2 cup of the cheese; season with salt and pepper.
11. Transfer the polenta to a large platter and make a well in the center.
12. Ladle the sausage ragout into the well, garnish with the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese and parsley leaves and serve.

extravirgin olive oil, onion, italian tomatoes, red wine, balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, red pepper, salt, fresh sweet pork sausages, water, olives, instant polenta, unsalted butter, rosemary, freshly grated parmigianoreggiano cheese, parsley

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/polenta-with-sausage-tomato-and-olive-ragout (may not work)