October 20: Sausage and Mushroom Polenta "Lasagna"

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 pound bulk sweet Italian sausage
1 portobello mushroom, stem removed
1 small yellow onion, to be chopped
4 large garlic cloves, to be chopped
2 fresh rosemary sprigs, leaves stripped and finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
   Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chicken stock or broth
   Zest and juice of 1 lemon
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
1 24-ounce tube prepared polenta, plain or flavored, cut into 21 disks about 1/4 inch thick
1 cup shredded mozzarella

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat with the 2 tablespoons of EVOO and the butter. Once the butter has melted, add the sausage, breaking it up with the back of a wooden spoon. While the sausage is starting to brown, cut the portobello mushroom in half and then thinly slice and add to the sausage. Chop and add to the pan as you go the onions, garlic, and rosemary. Season the sausage and mushrooms with the red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Once everything is in the pan, the sausage is lightly browned, and the mushrooms and onions have wilted, add the chicken stock and lemon juice. Continue to cook over high heat until the liquids have evaporated about 2 to 3 minutes.

While the sausage and mushrooms are cooking down in the liquid, in a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with the egg, lemon zest, Parmigiano, and bread crumbs.

Brush an 8-inch springform pan or an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with a little EVOO and place 7 disks of the polenta on the bottom of the dish. If they overlap a little that's fine; it will vary depending on what kind of dish you are using. Divide the sausage and mushroom mixture into 3 even portions. Do the same with the ricotta mixture.

Using the back of a spoon, spread one third of the ricotta mixture on top of the polenta. Don't make yourself crazy doing this - just mush it out over the polenta. Top the ricotta with one third of the sausage and mushrooms. Repeat the layers two more times, starting with the polenta and finishing with a sausage and mushroom layer. Sprinkle the top with the mozzarella. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, transfer to the oven, and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. To make sure it is cooked through, insert a knife into the center of the dish, wait a few seconds, and then remove it. Touch the knife with your fingertips and if it is hot, the lasagna is done. Remove from the spring form (or cut loose from the baking dish) and serve.

4 SERVINGS


Well, my baby was born today, so I decided to pick some recipes that I've already made, have those be for this week, and take a "maternity leave" of sorts. I decided to skip the polenta lasagna recipes, because last year I made all 5 variations in a row and got rather sick of it. It tasted great, but I just don't feel like making it again. RR says about the original: "Okay, this one could take 35 minutes; but the results taste far more time-consuming." It did take longer than 30 minutes. I will alternate the dates of these 5 with the the next few recipes (I switched the lasagna with the chicken # recipes - I will make those in December).

Here is what we had for dinner at the hospital - it was a celebratory meal for me and my husband.

I had pumpkin pie with mine:

And DH had key lime pie with his:

And here is why we were celebrating: