Cornbread with sausages and cheese

Mămăligă with sausages and cheese - a rustic and delicious recipe

Welcome to the world of authentic flavors, where tradition meets taste! Today, I will present to you a delightful recipe for mămăligă with sausages and cheese, a dish that combines the intense flavor of sausages with the delicacy of cheese, all laid on a bed of warm and fluffy polenta. This dish evokes family gatherings, stories shared around the table, and the comfort that a homemade meal provides.

Total time: 50 minutes
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Baking time: 20-25 minutes
- Servings: 4

Ingredients

- 300 g cornmeal
- 1 l water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 200 g cottage cheese (slightly salted), grated
- 250 g sausages (choose your favorites), sliced
- 1 egg (optional, for a richer texture)
- Butter (about 20 g) for greasing the pans

A brief history

Mămăligă is a traditional dish often associated with festive meals and the joy of sharing food with loved ones. Whether served outdoors, at a party, or in a more intimate setting, this dish is a true culinary treasure. It is said that mămăligă was created out of the desire to utilize leftover polenta and meat, transforming them into something tasty and comforting.

Preparation technique

1. Preparing the polenta: Start by bringing the water to a boil in a large pot. Add the salt and, gradually, the cornmeal, stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Cook the polenta for 10-15 minutes until it becomes firm but still fluffy. It is important to stir constantly to achieve a smooth and even texture.

2. Cooling the polenta: Once the polenta is ready, pour it onto a work surface or a tray and let it cool slightly for about 5-10 minutes. When it is cool enough, cut it into slices about 1-2 cm thick.

3. Preparing the pans: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a baking tray or individual pans with butter to prevent the mămăligă from sticking.

4. Assembling the mămăligă: Place a layer of polenta slices in the prepared pans. Add a layer of sausage slices, followed by a spoonful of grated cheese. Cover with another layer of polenta. If you want to add an egg, beat it lightly and pour it on top, then cover with a final layer of grated cheese.

5. Baking the mămăligă: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese melts and develops a light golden crust. If you added an egg, leave the mămăligă in the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes until the egg is well cooked.

6. Serving: Remove the mămăligă from the oven and serve warm, accompanied by sour cream and, if desired, an extra portion of grated cheese. It’s a perfect combination!

Tips and tricks

- About cornmeal: Choose a high-quality cornmeal, preferably coarsely ground, for a richer texture in the polenta.
- Sausages: You can experiment with different types of sausages, from smoked to spicy, to add a personal touch to your mămăligă.
- Variations: Instead of cottage cheese, you can use telemea cheese or any other type of cheese you prefer. You can also add sautéed vegetables, such as onions or peppers, between layers of polenta to enhance the flavor.
- Side dishes: You can serve mămăligă with a fresh green salad or pickles, which provide a pleasant contrast of textures and flavors.

Nutritional information

Mămăligă with sausages and cheese is a hearty meal, with a serving containing approximately 450-500 calories, depending on the ingredients used. Polenta is a good source of carbohydrates, and sausages provide a significant amount of protein. The cheese completes this dish with calcium and healthy fats.

Frequently asked questions

- Can I replace cornmeal with another ingredient?: Polenta is a unique ingredient in this recipe, but you can try using polenta or even a base of quinoa, though the result will be different.
- What type of sausages should I use?: Choose high-quality sausages, preferably smoked, to add an intense flavor to the dish.
- Can I prepare the mămăligă in advance?: You can assemble the mămăligă a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge, then bake it before serving.

Now that you have all the necessary details, all that’s left is to start cooking! Mămăligă with sausages and cheese is perfect for a family dinner or to impress friends at a party. Enjoy every bite, letting yourself be carried away by the rich flavors and beautiful memories that this dish brings!