Comfort Food

I'd thought I'd go way out on a limb this morning and share a recipe I discovered in the last few months that I think is terrific, especially if you live where you can get really good Italian sausage. Hopefully it's warmer than 2 degrees where you are!

Polenta Casserole (dull name but, trust me, you'll like it)
2 tablespoons olive or canola oil - heat over medium heat in a deep skillet
1 onion, sliced into thin wedges (rather than rings slice the other direction)
1 red or orange or yellow pepper (cut into slices about 1/4 inch thick)
Saute about 5 minutes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound bulk Italian sausage, either sweet or hot (take off the casings if you can't find bulk).
Separate sausage into bite sizes pieces & add with garlic to the pan. Saute until cooked.
1 28-oz. can fire-roasted tomatoes (this is the key ingredient - sometimes you find it in the regular section, sometimes in the organic section. You can make it with regular canned tomatoes but these are MUCH better.)
1 teaspoon oregano
Hot pepper to taste and/or to can add a fresh hot pepper with the onion
Add all to sausage mix and bring to a simmer. (See why you want a deep skillet?) Cook for 10-15 minutes while you work on the polenta.
2 16-oz. tubes of polenta (or you can make your own)
Slice & arrange in a greased metal pan about 9 x 13. Broil polenta until lightly browned. (Or you can grill them & put in a pan.)
Top with sausage mix.
8 oz. mozzarella, sliced 1/4 inch thick
Arrange on top of sausage and broil until melted & lightly brown.
It makes GREAT leftovers & freezes well. You can also cut the recipe in half or you can just make up the sausage/tomato mix and freeze it in portions. When you want it, thaw & heat in the microwave. Toast a couple of slices of polenta in the toaster-oven, top with heated sausage mix & a slice of cheese & pop back into the toaster oven for a couple more minutes.
Hope you like it & stay warm!