Polenta with Greens and Chicken Apple Sausage

Awhile ago I had polenta with chicken sausage and maple syrup at Nickel Diner in downtown LA, and since then, I can't get enough of this meal...or at least my healthier version of this meal.  It is so warm, comforting, hearty, and satisfying: perfect for a weekend brunch or quick weeknight dinner.

POLENTA WITH GREENS & CHICKEN SAUSAGE

POLENTA

1 cup polenta (course or medium ground cornmeal,

you could also use grits)

4 cups water

1-1/2 cups 1% milk

1 Tbsp butter

1 tsp salt

Bring the water to a boil, add salt, stir in the polenta and whisk constantly until it thickens, then pour in the milk and continue to whisk until creamy and smooth (should take 5-10 min). It's hard to ruin polenta -- just get it to a consistency you think is good, like oatmeal or Cream of Wheat.

SAUSAGE

4 chicken apple sausages (I like the uncooked ones from the Whole Foods meat case)

Grill pan or skillet

Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium heat, add a drop of oil, then place sausages in pan and brown on all sides (2-3 min/side). Remove to a cutting board, slice in half lengthwise, then grill the inside for a couple minutes until browned.  Set aside.

GREENS

In the same grill pan or skillet, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil.  Add a couple handfuls of the greens and a sprinkle of salt and saute until wilted, then add more greens and keep doing this until all your greens are somewhat wilted. Add a few splashes of lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar, remove from heat.  This is a great time to use these greens:

Spoon some of the polenta into a bowl, pile some greens on it, then lay a sausage on top and drizzle with maple syrup (use Grade B for best flavor, its darker and more robust).  Enjoy!  Makes 4 servings.