Polenta Pasticciata Ragu Recipes

Steps:

• Pork:
• Season pork with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium. Cook pork, turning often, until evenly browned, 10-12 minutes. Transfer to a platter and pour off pan drippings.
• Wipe out any burned bits from pot, but leave the golden-brown pieces (doing this will keep the finished sauce from tasting bitter). Add onion and garlic to pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is starting to brown and caramelize, 12-15 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly darkened in color, 5-8 minutes.
• Add wine and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until reduced by about half, 5-8 minutes.
• Add tomatoes, crushing with your hands as you go, then add thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves; stir in 2 cups water. Add pork with any juices accumulated on the platter; season with salt and pepper.
• Bring liquid to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until pork is falling-apart tender, sauce is thickened (it will be thicker than a typical pasta sauce), and flavors have melded, 2 1/2-3 hours.
• Using 2 forks, break up pork into pieces or shred it (your choice!); taste and season with salt and pepper.
• Do ahead: Pork can be cooked 5 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill in sauce.
• Polenta and assembly:
• Bring 6 cups salted water to a boil in a large pot. Whisking constantly, gradually add polenta; reduce heat to medium-low.
• Cook, whisking often, until polenta is tender and creamy, 20-25 minutes (if polenta becomes too thick too soon, loosen mixture by adding more water and continue cooking). Add butter and 1/2 cup Parmesan to polenta and whisk until melted; season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon polenta into bowls or onto a platter and top with pork. Scatter parsley and more Parmesan over top and drizzle with oil.

Steps:

• Combine boiling water and lentils in a bowl and set aside for 1 hour. Combine texturized vegetable protein and broth in a separate bowl and set aside until liquid is absorbed.
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a stew pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, red bell pepper, and hot pepper. Cook and stir until onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add drained lentils and undrained texturized vegetable protein. Stir and add oregano and bay leaf. Add red wine and continue stirring, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes. Stir and simmer ragu until thickened and lentils are soft, 5 to 10 minutes; add a bit more water if needed.
• Bring vegetable broth, water, and salt to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to low and sprinkle polenta into the water, stirring constantly to ensure there are no lumps. Cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes. Add vegan butter, stirring constantly.
• Distribute polenta evenly among 4 pasta bowls. Remove bay leaf from ragu and discard. Top each bowl with equal amounts of ragu. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon vegan white cheese over each bowl and serve warm.

Steps:

• Ragu Recipe Contest Entry.
• Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Butter the bottom and sides of a 9" springform pan. Also fold a piece of foil around the bottom of the pan to catch any leaks as the dish cooks in the oven.
• In a large pot, bring water and salt to a boil over high heat. Once water is boiling, slowly whisk in corn grits.
• Reduce heat to simmer and stir frequently, to keep corn grits from sticking to the pot, until mixture is very thick.
• Stir the butter into the cooked polenta. Set pan aside, but cover the surface of the polenta with a piece of plastic wrap to keep the polenta from forming a skin on the top.
• In a large skillet, break up the Italian sausage and cook until it is browned and cooked through.
• Add the jar of Ragu to the sausage, stir to combine and cook just until it is heated through. Remove from heat and set pan aside.
• Pour half of the polenta into the springform pan and spread it evenly in the pan.
• Slice the log of goat cheese into equally thick slices (about 20) and arrange half of the goat cheese evenly over the top of the polenta.
• Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese over the goat cheese and polenta.
• Spread the arugula evenly over top of the cheese.
• Pour half of the sausage and Ragu mixture over top of the arugula and spread it evenly across the whole pan.
• Pour remaining polenta over top of the meat sauce and spread evenly in the pan.
• Spoon the rest of the sausage and Ragu mixture on top of the layer of polenta and spread it into an even layer.
• Arrange the remaining goat cheese evenly on top of the meat sauce.
• Sprinkle the 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese evenly over top of the pasticciata.
• Place the foil lined springform pan onto a baking sheet and slide into the oven to bake for 45 minutes.
• Remove from oven when cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
• Let the pasticciata rest for 20 minutes before removing the outer ring and serving. This will allow it to cool a bit and will stay together once the outer ring has been removed.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400° and set a rack in the center.
• Put plastic wrap on fresh polenta to keep it hot and to prevent a skin from forming on top. Be sure to assemble the pasticciata within 1/2 hour, while the polenta is still warm and soft with no lumps.
• If necessary, heat the filling sauce to quite warm. If it is too dense for spreading, thin it with some water. If you're extending the filling sauce with simple tomato or marinara sauce, warm them up together.
• Butter the bottom and sides of the baking dish or skillet thoroughly. Use more butter on the bottom in particular, if you want to unmold the pasticciata.
• Put 1/4 cup besciamella in the dish or skillet and spread it around the bottom; it doesn't have to cover every bit.
• Pour in half the polenta (approximately 5 cups) and spread it evenly in the bottom of the pan. Scatter 1/3 cup or more shredded Muenster or other soft cheese all over the top, then sprinkle on 2 to 4 tablespoons of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano. Pour or ladle 2 cups of the warm sauce over the polenta and cheese, and spread it all over-use 3 cups sauce if you want a thicker layer.
• Pour on a bit more than half of the remaining polenta (about 3 cups) and spread it. Spread another 1/4 cup of besciamella on top, top with shredded soft cheese and grated hard cheese in the amounts you like. Pour in the remaining sauce and spread it evenly, reserving a cup, if you have enough and plan to unmold the pasticciata.
• For the top layer, spread all the rest of the polenta and another 1/4 cup besciamella on top of that. Sprinkle on more shredded soft cheese and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano. If you're making a thin pasticciata in a big pan, or want it to have a beautiful deep gold gratinato, use enough besciamella and cheese to really cover the top. Do not compress the cheeses, though. See do-ahead note below.
• Set the pan on a cookie sheet and bake for 45 minutes to an hour or more, until the top is deeply colored and crusted, even browned a bit on the edges. Let the pasticciata cool for a few minutes before serving. If you are serving portions from the baking pan, cut in squares like lasagna, or wedges if you've used a round skillet or pan, and lift them out with a spatula.
• To unmold the pasticiatta, let it cool for at least 10 minutes. Run a knife around the sides of the pan, cutting through crust sticking to the rim or sides. Lay a cutting board, big enough to cover it, on top of the baking pan or skillet, hold the two together (with the protection of cloths and the help of other hands if necessary), and flip them over. Rap on the upturned pan bottom-or bang on it all over-to loosen the bottom. Lift the board, and give the pan a good shake. The pasticciata will drop out soon, with sufficient encouragement. Serve it on the board, or reflip it onto a serving platter and serve with a cup or more of warm sauce heaped on the top or served on the side.
• If you want to prepare the pasticciata and bake later the same or next day, spread the last layer of polenta and coat it well with besciamella but don't sprinkle on the final layer of cheeses. Cover it lightly and leave it at room temperature, or wrap well and refrigerate overnight. Before baking, sprinkle on the cheeses and make a tent of foil (see page 203) over the baking dish, without touching the cheese. Poke a few small holes in the foil to vent steam. Set the pan on a sheet and bake for 1/2 hour at 400°, remove the foil, and continue to bake until deeply colored and crusted.
• *You can serve this with or without freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano; it will be richer with, but just as good without.
• †Good alternatives are dry-packed mozzarella, Italian Fontina, cheddar, or other cheeses of your liking.
• All of the sauces that I recommend for layering in a pasticciata are delicious just ladled on top of hot polenta. You'll need 1/3 to 1/2 cup of hot sauce for each serving of Basic Polenta (finished with freshly grated cheese) or any of the Simple Variations that follow (page 216). Put the polenta in warm serving bowls, sprinkle over more Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano-it melts best under the sauce-then spoon the sauce on top.
• Hearty sauces like mushroom ragù or savoy cabbage and bacon are particularly delicious with polenta taragna, a coarse grind of whole-grain cornmeal and buckwheat. Prepare taragna exactly as you do yellow polenta, but give it an extra 10 to 15 minutes of cooking and more water as needed.

Steps:

• To begin to prepare the sauce, in a small bowl combine the dried porcini and hot water and let stand for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove the porcini and squeeze out excess water. Using scissors, cut them into pieces about the size of your thumbnail. Set aside. Strain the mushroom liquor through a paper towel or a fine sieve; reserve. Lightly oil an 8-by-11-inch baking pan and set it aside. Lightly oil two large pastry boards or baking sheets, or a very large scratchproof counter surface. Make the polenta and when it is cooked, turn it directly out onto the boards, counter, or baking sheets. Use a large knife or rubber spatula, first dipped in cold water, to spread out the polenta to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Allow it to cool and harden, about 20 minutes. Cut it into approximate 3-inch squares.
• Meanwhile, preheat an oven to 400 degrees F. Continue to make the sauce. Using a soft brush or clean kitchen towel, remove any dirt from the fresh mushrooms. Don't wash them because water will alter their texture. Separate the stems from the caps, discarding the stems if they are tough. Slice the mushroom caps and tender stems thinly. In a skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter with the oil. Add the onion and saute until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the porcini and saute for another 5 or 6 minutes to marry the flavors. Add the cultivated mushrooms and continue to saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the mushroom soaking liquid, salt, and pepper. Allow to simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then stir in the cream, and allow the mixture barely to reach a simmer. Immediately remove the skillet from the heat.
• Place half of the polenta squares in a layer on the bottom of the prepared dish. Spread half of the sauce in a layer over them, then sprinkle with half of the cheeses. Place another layer of polenta squares over the cheeses. Spoon the remaining sauce on top and sprinkle with the remaining cheeses. Place on the middle rack of the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and golden and the pasticcio is bubbling, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let settle for 10 minutes before cutting into squares. Serve hot.

Steps:

• This couldn't be easier -- just add everything except the scallions, polenta, butter and oil into the crock pot and cook on low 8-10 hours. At the end of cooking, make sure you taste for any additional seasoning.
• Polenta -- There are many flavors of polenta all very unique these days. Cheese, herb, plain, sundried, onion, you name it. You can use whatever you like. I happen to like the plain best, but don't be afraid to try something else.
• In a medium sauce pan add the olive oil and butter and bring to medium high heat. Add the polenta slices and saute until lightly golden brown. Flip and saute the other side until golden brown as well.
• Serve -- Plate the polenta and top with the ragu over top. Garnish with the scallions and Monterey Jack cheese. serve with a nice salad for an easy dinner.
• NOTE: Chipoltes are spicy. Start out with 1-2 small chipoltes.You could add a little more half way through cooking for a little more heat, but go easy.

Steps:

• Combine the Ragu Sauce, garlic cloves and ¾ cup sun-dried tomatoes, (without draining the oil as you spoon it out of the jar), in the bowl of a food processor and process for several seconds. The mixture won't be completely smooth but the tomato pieces should be very fine and the garlic completely blended inches Reserve until complete with the polenta and shrimp portion of this meal.
• To prepare the polenta: Combine the polenta, stock, water, sage and herbs in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once it boils, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the polenta starts to separate from the sides of the pan, about 10-15 minutes. Stir in the butter, parmesan and goat cheeses and cheese two minutes until the butter and cheese have melted and been incorporated into the polenta. Transfer the cooked polenta to four serving dishes.
• To prepare the shrimps: Marinate in lemon juice and salt for a few minutes before cooking. Cook the shrimps in olive oil over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side or until just pink.
• To finish off the sauce: Transfer the sauce mixture to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Season with salt to taste. Add a pinch of sugar as you heat the to give the sauce a nice balance.
• Turn off the heat, transfer to a bowl and stir in the olive oil. Spoon the sauce over the warmed, cooked polenta, top with shrimps and garnish with fresh arugula.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine bacon, goat cheese, romano cheese and 2 tablespoons of chopped arugula. Use heaping tablespoons to form 8 cheese balls. (Note: if the cheese is too soft to roll, refrigerate about 15 minutes until firm).
• Use 3 small bowls - In the first bowl put the ¼ cup flour. In the second bowl add egg and beat well. In the third bowl combine polenta and breadcrumbs. Coat each ball with flour, then egg then polenta/breadcrumb mixture and place on a plate. Refrigerate 1 hour.
• In a medium pot, heat oil to 375 degrees. Fry 4 balls at a time 1-2 minutes until light golden brown, remove and drain on paper towels.
• In a small sauce pan, heat Ragu sauce with remaining chopped arugula (reserving about a teaspoon of arugula for garnish). Bring to a simmer and remove from heat.
• Spoon sauce onto deep dish platter, top with cheese balls, sprinkle with remaining romano cheese and remaining arugula. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• In 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven, cook sausage and ground beef on medium-high 5 to 6 minutes or until browned, stirring and breaking up meat with side of spoon. With slotted spoon, transfer meat mixture to medium bowl.
• To same Dutch oven, add onion; cook on medium 8 to 10 minutes or until tender. Stir in garlic; cook 30 seconds. Add tomatoes with their puree; heat to boiling on high, breaking up tomatoes with side of spoon. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Add eggplant and meat; cover and cook 5 minutes on medium. Uncover and cook 10 minutes longer or until eggplant is tender, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In microwave-safe 4-quart bowl, with wire whisk, combine water, broth, cornmeal, and salt. Microwave on High 15 to 20 minutes or until cornmeal mixture is very thick. After first 5 minutes of cooking, whisk vigorously until smooth (mixture will be lumpy at first); whisk 2 more times during remaining cooking time. Remove from microwave, whisk in Romano.
• Spoon 2 cups hot polenta into each of two 1 1/2-quart shallow casseroles. Spread polenta over bottom and up sides of casseroles. Spoon filling over polenta. Spread remaining polenta around casserole edge to form a rim. Sprinkle with a couple tablespoons additional grated Romano, Parmesan, or Asiago.
• Bake one casserole 30 minutes or until hot. Let stand 10 minutes for easier serving. (Freeze the other one for later.).
• Makes 8 servings (in 2 casserole dishes).
• Note: if you want to lower the fat content, use turkey Italian sausage. Make sure to use quality sausage - I've used my favorite, our freshly made Merguez, and good sausage really makes a difference.