"The best times you are going to have in life are at the dinner table and in bed." Old Italian saying. So relax, and enjoy the simple things!

27.4.12

Polenta with Spinach & Sausage: Foodie Friday

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polenta
Polenta with Spinach & Sausage

Polenta is a Northern Italian peasant food. Because it is Northern Italian and my family is Southern Italian we never ate it growing up. It is basically the Italian version of grits. Which I never had until I went to the South of the US because it is a Southern dish in the US. 

To make polenta you do not have to buy a polenta mix, regular cornmeal can be used, the coarser the grind the better. The following is a simple recipe for Polenta. Use polenta as a substitute for rice or pasta. You can put almost anything over it.
Whatever polenta you have leftover roll it into a log and refrigerate it over night. The next day you can slice it and fry the individual pieces in olive oil and again serve whatever you like over them. I sautéed some leftover spinach and sausage to make this meal. 

Fried Polenta with Spinach & Sausage
by Diane Balch
prep: 10 minutes serves: 4
Ingredients:
1 Leftover log of polenta or Trader Joe's pre-made log.
1 head of spinach
1 dash nutmeg
salt & pepper to taste (red pepper flakes if you would like some heat.)
1 clove of garlic
4 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
2 - 6 sausage: vegetarian or meat chopped or you can use mushrooms.
Directions:
1) Put 2 tablespoons of oil in  a cast iron or other non-stick skillet. Heat on medium high.
2) When oil is very hot add slices of polenta. Brown on each side, approximately 4 minutes per side.
3) Put polenta a side and add 2 more tablespoons of oil to the skillet. Saute sausage until it is no longer pink. Put on top on polenta.
4) After you remove the sausage add the garlic then the spinach and seasoning. Sauté until the spinach wilts.
5) Pour the spinach over the sausage and polenta and serve.
copyright 2012



Spotlight from last week's party: 
From Ms. enPlace
Shrimp & Andouille Baked Potatoes
Seafood & Pork is an awesome combination. Together with Cajun seasoning over a potato this dish is bursting with flavor.

From Baking with Blondie
Blackened Chicken & Cilantro Lime Quinoa with Greek Yogurt Avocado Puree

This recipe deserves recognition for both it's interesting flavor combinations and healthiness.

Instructions for Foodie Friday linky:

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1) Copy the Foodie Friday Button's html from this website's sidebar.

2) Paste this html to the html page of the recipe you want to link to Foodie Friday. You can also make a word link or post our button on your sidebar. Please link back.
3) Copy the link to the recipes you want to add to Foodie Friday, not your homepage. You can post up to 3 recipes that you have not shared before.

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 polenta, sausage, Italian Cooking, Spinach, Fried Polenta 

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49 comments:

  1. AndiWinslowApril 27, 2012 at 7:42 AM

    hi thanks for the party andi

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mindie HiltonApril 27, 2012 at 8:11 AM

    Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Rose @ RoseBakes.comApril 27, 2012 at 9:18 AM

    Mmmm, I love grits and polenta! Thanks for the linky!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Baking with BlondieApril 27, 2012 at 9:45 AM

    Thanks for the feature, you guys! What an awesome way to start this morning!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane BalchApril 27, 2012 at 10:13 AM

      You are welcome. Did you see that we got a featured button for you to take. Thanks again, see you next week.

      Delete
  5. Miz HelenApril 27, 2012 at 9:49 AM

    I just love Polenta, your dish looks delicious! Thanks for hosting and have a fun week end!
    Miz Helen

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kristin@gratefulbelly.comApril 27, 2012 at 10:45 AM

    Thanks for the party:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tessa Domestic DivaApril 27, 2012 at 11:03 AM

    Thank you for inviting me, I have also pinned your party to my linky party board!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Moore or Less CookingApril 27, 2012 at 11:07 AM

    Thank you Diane for inviting me to your great party! Love your polenta and spinach and sausage, looks heavenly, I love all of those yummy ingredients! I linked up my Clam Linguine! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! nettie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane BalchApril 27, 2012 at 11:51 AM

      Glad I found you. Hope you come by next week too.

      Delete
  9. Heather @girlichef.comApril 27, 2012 at 11:07 AM

    Thanks so much for the invite!! =)

    ReplyDelete
  10. mjskitApril 27, 2012 at 11:35 AM

    Polenta, spinach and sausage - how can one go wrong! Delicious! Your request to post my waffles has been fulfilled! :) Thanks for stopping by and commenting! Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane BalchApril 27, 2012 at 11:52 AM

      Needed those waffles. I have some waffle making kids who are going to enjoy your recipe.

      Delete
  11. poppilinnstudiosApril 27, 2012 at 11:51 AM

    Thanks for letting me know about your party! The polenta looks delicious!
    -Lynn

    ReplyDelete
  12. Heather KinnairdApril 27, 2012 at 11:52 AM

    Thanks for the party!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Mary Sullivan FrasierApril 27, 2012 at 11:52 AM

    Hi Diane! Thanks for stopping by and for the invite! I linked up my meatloaf and also brought along the roasted potatoes that I served with it. I am such a huge polenta fan! I love that you paired it with sausage and spinach, too. Thanks for hosting! I'll be sure to grab your button and come back to link up for future Foodie Friday parties. Have a great week! ~Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane BalchApril 27, 2012 at 11:54 AM

      So glad I found your blog too. Glad you put the potato recipe up too. I'm sure they go so well together.

      Delete
  14. Chaya SeligApril 27, 2012 at 11:59 AM

    Are you watching my house? I just made my husband and myself polenta with a salsa topping and cheese. Delicious. Now, I will have to try your recipe. If I type it up, soon, I will link it here. I have other recipes to link, as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane BalchApril 27, 2012 at 12:16 PM

      Got my Google cam on you right now, maybe you want to change out of those sweatpants before I put you live. So funny how something you've just eaten or are thinking of making crosses your path. Thanks for coming by, if you haven't already, grab our bottom so you'll remember to come back next week.

      Delete
  15. Lisa @ Flour Me With LoveApril 27, 2012 at 12:06 PM

    Thanks so much for the invite and for hosting too!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Laina @ Vibrant SerenityApril 27, 2012 at 12:30 PM

    Thanks for the invite!

    ReplyDelete
  17. SavoringTime in the KitchenApril 27, 2012 at 12:58 PM

    Thanks for the invitation to join your Foodie Friday!

    ReplyDelete
  18. VickyApril 27, 2012 at 1:03 PM

    Hi Diane! Thank you for visiting my blog! I brought my Mediterranean Bean Burgers over to your party today!

    ReplyDelete
  19. LaurenApril 27, 2012 at 1:05 PM

    Mmmm I love polenta! I've only made it the creamy way, I bet it would taste delicious with a little crisp to it. Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane BalchApril 27, 2012 at 4:17 PM

      It is fantastic crispy. It takes a while to fry up.

      Delete
  20. Deana@CountryMommaCooksApril 27, 2012 at 2:40 PM

    Thanks for the invite.........Come and visit me tonight for my Link and Greet Party:)
    I'll be adding you to my Link Party page and following you....have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane BalchApril 27, 2012 at 4:18 PM

      Thank you for the invite I am on kid duty from Friday night through Sunday no parties for me. I'm so glad you linked up.

      Delete
  21. MichelleApril 27, 2012 at 8:23 PM

    Thank you for the feature! I'll be sure to copy a button.
    And thank you, also, for hosting.

    I just happen to have some course ground cornmeal in the pantry right now and some leftover baby spinach in the fridge. Your polenta dish sounds perfect.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane BalchApril 27, 2012 at 9:38 PM

      You are very welcome. Just reading your blog. I'm a closet tree-hugger too. My husband said when he first meet me that I was "a little crunchy." Well, I still love my granola. Great to connect with you, see you again next week.

      Delete
  22. Angie {Successful2gether}April 28, 2012 at 1:35 PM

    this looks yummy! thank you for the invite!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane BalchApril 28, 2012 at 3:39 PM

      You are so welcome. Hope to see you back next week. Your recipe will be so nice for a summer party, can't wait to use it.

      Delete
  23. AnonymousApril 28, 2012 at 4:23 PM

    Thanks for hosting. I linked up my rainbow stuffed peppers with quinoa.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane BalchApril 28, 2012 at 5:34 PM

      How funny I was going through my cupboard and found some quinoa. I was just looking for a recipe to use it in, thanks.

      Delete
  24. My Little SpaceApril 28, 2012 at 8:40 PM

    I enjoy reading all the recipes and thankful to all these wonderful cook & housewives who are willing to share. Happy weekend to all!
    Blessings
    Kristy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane BalchApril 28, 2012 at 9:17 PM

      I agree. Every week I'm so excited to see what new recipes will come my way. It is wonderful that so many people... for no money, sacrifice time for total strangers to share their foods. I think wanting to share your cooking is a really basic human desire. I get great pleasure out of doing it.

      Delete
  25. Michelles Tasty CreationsApril 29, 2012 at 12:02 AM

    Thanks for hosting another wonderful party :) Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  26. JuttaApril 29, 2012 at 12:24 PM

    I LOVE polenta! thanks so much for the recipe, will try it out.
    and thank you for inviting me to your lovely party!
    have a great Sunday
    love
    jutta

    ReplyDelete
  27. ChayaApril 30, 2012 at 9:56 AM

    It is wonderful how nowadays, it is easy to have the feel of meat and be eating vegetables. This is a fabulous idea. Thanks for sharing with My Meatless Mondays.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane BalchApril 30, 2012 at 10:29 AM

      You are very welcome. Textured Protein is an amazing product. For the longest time my kids didn't even realize they were eating unchicken nuggets. They love unbreakfast sausage and all of the Morningstar Farm products.

      Delete
  28. Carrie {My Favorite Finds}May 1, 2012 at 1:55 PM

    Thanks for sharing at Must Try Monday. I hope you'll sign up for the blog swap I'm hosting, too!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Michelles Tasty CreationsMay 3, 2012 at 1:21 PM

    Mmmm, this looks super delicious! Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday this week. I can’t wait to see what you link up next week. Have a great day.

    Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  30. Lisa @ Flour Me With LoveMay 3, 2012 at 2:05 PM

    What a great way to use polenta! Thanks so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday :) and for hosting too!

    ReplyDelete
  31. judy@Savoring TodayMay 3, 2012 at 10:59 PM

    Simple dishes are always welcome around here, whole food, full of flavor. Thanks for sharing your recipe on Hearth & Soul Hop. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane BalchMay 4, 2012 at 8:36 AM

      Thanks so much, I really like the recipes that people post at your party.

      Delete
  32. Mary ~May 4, 2012 at 10:26 AM

    Hi Diane, Thanks for the invite! I love your blog! I just linked up to the party, thanks for hosting. I'm off to check out all the great shares and read more of you blog! Have a great weekend! Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Jenny @ The NY Melrose FamilyMay 8, 2012 at 1:16 PM

    Your polenta sounds great. Thanks so much for sharing at Whimsy Wednesdays!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Olah Momma!June 14, 2012 at 1:12 AM

    This recipe looks so good. Would love to try this. Thanks for sharing.

    Your follower hopping by.

    Have a delightful day!

    The Quiet Mom blogging: http://olahmomma.com/blog/grilled-chicken-enchilada

    ReplyDelete

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