Lunch: Polenta with Meat Sauce

This is comfort food at its finest: a quick-cooking Bolognese sauce, made with sausage, tomatoes, aromatic vegetables, and a touch of light cream, served over a mound of earthy polenta. Of course, you could put the same sauce over fettuccine instead.

Ingredients

4 tbsp. olive oil
1 1/2 lb. mild Italian sausage
2 carrots
1 onion
4 cloves garlic
1/3 c. dry white wine
1 1/2 c. canned crushed tomatoes in thick puree (from one 15-ounce can)
3/4 c. canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock
6 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1 bay leaf
1 3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. fresh-ground black pepper
3 tbsp. light cream
4 1/2 c. water
1 1/3 c. coarse or medium cornmeal
3 tbsp. grated Parmesan

Instructions

In a large deep frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over moderately high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat with a fork until no longer pink, about 3 minutes. Tilt the pan and spoon off all but 2 tablespoons fat. Reduce the heat to moderate. Add the carrots, onion, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the wine and let simmer 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes, broth, 4 tablespoons of the parsley, the bay leaf, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Uncover, add the pepper, and simmer 5 minutes longer. Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the cream and the remaining 2 tablespoons parsley.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring the water and the remaining 1 1/4 teaspoons salt to a boil. Add the cornmeal in a slow stream, whisking constantly. Whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons oil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until the polenta is thick, about 20 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan.
Serve the polenta topped with the meat sauce. Pass additional Parmesan.
Wine Recommendation: Homey food calls for a simple but flavorful red wine. For a touch of regional authenticity, select a Sangiovese di Romagna.