Hey there, food enthusiasts!
Today, I’m excited to share a recipe that truly brings a taste of rustic Italian comfort right into your kitchen: Balsamic Glazed Sausages with Polenta and Caramelized Onions. This dish is an absolute treasure on a cool evening—warm, hearty, and bursting with flavors that will make you feel like you’re dining in a quaint Italian village.
If you’re like me, you appreciate those meals that are as comforting as they are delicious. The combination of savory sausages, creamy polenta, and sweet, tangy onions is simply divine. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to bring a little bit of variety to our routine dinners.
### Why This Dish?
What I love most about this meal is how it marries simplicity with sophistication. The sausages are succulent, the polenta is silky and cheesy, and those caramelized onions—with a touch of balsamic—add a delightful sweetness that’s hard to beat.
### Ingredients
First, let’s gather our ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
– 6 sausages (500g)
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 2 large onions, thinly sliced
– 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
– 1 tablespoon brown sugar
– 150g polenta
– 600ml water
– 50g grated Parmesan cheese
– 50g unsalted butter
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
### Method to the Magic
Now, let’s dive into the method. It’s straightforward and uncomplicated, perfect even if you’re juggling dinner preparations with other evening tasks.
1. **Preheat the oven:** Start by preheating your oven to 200°C (390°F).
2. **Brown the sausages:** In a large ovenproof skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausages and cook them until browned on all sides, which should take about 8-10 minutes.
3. **Bake the sausages:** Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the sausages are cooked through.
4. **Caramelize the onions:** While the sausages are baking, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, until they are soft and caramelized, which will take about 15-20 minutes.
5. **Add balsamic and sugar:** Stir in the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar with the onions, and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the mixture is thick and glossy.
6. **Prepare the polenta:** In a medium saucepan, bring 600ml of water to a boil. Gradually whisk in the polenta, reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring continuously, for 5-7 minutes or until the polenta is thick and creamy.
7. **Finish the polenta:** Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and unsalted butter into the polenta, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. **Assemble and serve:** Serve the sausages over a bed of creamy polenta, topped with balsamic caramelized onions, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
### Final Thoughts
There you have it—a delightful dinner that looks stunning on the plate and tastes even better. It’s perfect for a cozy night in or when you want to impress your family with your culinary skills without spending hours in the kitchen.
I hope this dish brings warmth and joy to your home, just as it does to mine. Be sure to share your thoughts and photos if you give this recipe a go—I absolutely love seeing your creations!
Happy cooking, and until next time,
Al
Ingredients
– 6 sausages (500g)
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 2 large onions, thinly sliced
– 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
– 1 tablespoon brown sugar
– 150g polenta
– 600ml water
– 50g grated Parmesan cheese
– 50g unsalted butter
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F).
2. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add the sausages and cook until browned on all sides, about 8-10 minutes.
4. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until sausages are cooked through.
5. While the sausages are baking, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
6. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, until they are soft and caramelized, about 15-20 minutes.
7. Add the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar to the onions, and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the mixture is thick and glossy.
8. In a medium saucepan, bring 600ml of water to a boil.
9. Gradually whisk in the polenta, reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring continuously, for 5-7 minutes or until the polenta is thick and creamy.
10. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and unsalted butter into the polenta, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
11. Serve the sausages over a bed of creamy polenta, topped with balsamic caramelized onions and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
