A Taste of Italy or Something Like It

Ciao, stasera stiamo avendo polenta con salsiccia per la cena...

Okay, this is supposed to say, "hello, tonight we are having polenta with sausage for dinner"--according to google, this is what that says.... I am not sure I'm convinced, but I'm running with it anyway.... if you know Itialian- feel free to let me know if I'm swearing at you...

Polenta with chicken sauage with peppers to be exact... yum!!!!!!  I actually was so impressed with my dinner making skills tonight that I phoned a friend in the middle to share my joy!  I actually used 2 burners at once... holy moly....

I started to wonder as I was relishing in my accomplishments, am I becomming someone who actually enjoys being in the kitchen??  The answer to that question is still to be answered, but tonight... tonight my friends- I enjoyed myself.

I loosely followed a weightwatchers recipe that I found, but kind of made it my own.... so here goes...

Here's what you need:

• 1 cup Golden Pheasant polenta (if not using this brand, follow instructions on package)
• 4 cups water
• 2 tbsp. butter (Land O'Lakes Light Spreadable butter with Canola oil is what I used)
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 4 chicken sausages (I used Open Nature mild italian sausage)
• extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 1 bag frozen mixed bell peppers

Here's what to do for chicken and sausage:

• In a skillet heat olive oil over medium to medium high heat
• Add frozen bell peppers and begin heating through
• Remove casings from sausage and break up into smaller pieces
• Add to fully heated peppers
• Add balsamic vinegar and stir
• Heat through stirring occasionally

Here's what to do for polenta:

• In a sauce pan, begin boiling salted water
• Lower heat to low / medium low
• Slowly add 1 cup dried polenta
• Begin stirring, and basically don't stop for approximately 20min.
• Seriously, do not stop stirring
• Blend in butter
• Sprinkle in parmesan cheese
• Add more butter or parmesan if it doesn't look creamy enough

Here's how to put it all together:

• Add about 1 heaping spoonful or more (depending on how hungry you are)
• Add chicken sauage / bell pepper mixture
• Sprinkle with more parmesan for decoration... make it fancy if you will....

Total prep time: 10 min
Total cook time: 20 - 25min.
Total Servings: 4

Here's what I learned with this recipe.... it is not easy to make polenta but the way I see it is at least it's kind of a workout with all that stirring!!!  Plus, an added bonus- it was delizioso!! 

till next time, Me