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Creamy Cheddar Polenta with Sausage and Charred Ramps
5 from 6 votes

Creamy Cheddar Polenta with Sausage and Charred Ramps

Whether you're entertaining or relaxing, this recipe hits the spot.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Course: Side Dish, Main Course, Breakfast, Lunch, Others
Cuisine: American, International, Vegetarian, gluten-free

Ingredients

For the Polenta:
  • 2 cups milk whole
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 thyme sprigs, fresh
  • 1 garlic minced or grated, large clove
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly cracked
  • 1 cup polenta coarse stone ground
  • 3 tablespoons butter unsalted
  • 5 oz White Cheddar Cheese shredded, plus more for garnish, Cabot extra-sharp
For the Charred Ramps
  • 12 -16 oz ramps or 2 big bunches scallions, trimmed of roots
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
  • black pepper Kosher salt and freshly ground
  • salt Kosher salt and freshly ground
(optional) For the Sausage:
  • 4 Italian sausage links or other sausage links

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Make the polenta: In a large, heavy saucepan, combine the milk, water, bay leaf, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil and slowly pour in the polenta, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring often, until the polenta thickens and the grains turn soft, about 35 to 45 minutes, depending on the variety. Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs and discard them. Turn off the heat and stir in the butter until it’s melted, then stir in the cheddar. Adjust to taste with salt and pepper. Keep the polenta warm while you grill the sausages and ramps.
  2. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill, or place a cast iron grill pan over high heat. Cook the sausages on high heat at first, turning every 3 or 4 minutes, until all surfaces are browned. Move onto indirect heat (if grilling) or reduce stovetop heat to fully cook the sausages (around 10 to 15 minutes total). When done, move off the heat, and when they're cool enough, cut into diagonal slices.
  3. Toss the ramps with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and season them lightly with salt and pepper. Grill the ramps in a single layer until the leaves are wilted and lightly charred, and if you have bulbs, until they are tender, about 2 to 5 minutes, turning once.
  4. Pour the polenta onto a serving platter and lay the grilled ramps and sausages on top. Drizzle with the last tablespoons of olive oil and serve hot with a little extra grated cheddar on top.