Polenta with Meat Sauce

Ingredients

-4 tablespoons olive oil
-1 1/2 pounds mild Italian sausages, casings removed
-2 carrots, chopped
-1 onion, chopped
-4 cloves garlic, minced
-1/3 cup dry white wine
-1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes in thick puree (from one 15 ounce can)
-3/4 cup canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock
-6 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
-1 bay leaf
-1 3/4 teaspoons salt
-1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
-3 tablespoons light cream
-4 1/2 cups water
-1 1/3 cups coarse or medium cornmeal
-3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

Directions

In a large deep frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over moderately high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat with a fork until no longer pink, about 3 minutes. Tilt the pan and spoon off all but 2 tablespoons fat. Reduce the heat to moderate. Add the carrots, onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the wine and let simmer 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes, broth, 4 tablespoons of the parsley, the bay leaf and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Uncover, add the pepper and simmer 5 minutes longer. Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the cream and the remaining 2 tablespoons parsley.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring the water and the remaining 1 1/4 teaspoons salt to a boil. Add the cornmeal in a slow stream, whisking constantly. Whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons oil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until the polenta is thick, about 20 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan.

Serve the polenta topped with the meat sauce. Pass additional Parmesan.