Ragu di Salsicce e Funghi Porcini (Sausage and wild mushroom sauce)

Preparation

1. Step 1

   In a wide skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil. Gently saute sausages until thoroughly cooked and browned. Remove sausages and set aside.

2. Step 2

   Meanwhile, chop together garlic, onion, celery and carrot to make a battuto. When sausages are done, add battuto to the pan and saute gently until vegetables are soft.

3. Step 3

   While vegetables are cooking, place mushrooms in a bowl and add hot water to cover. Set aside to soak for at least 20 minutes.

4. Step 4

   Drain tomatoes, reserving juice. Add tomatoes to vegetables in saucepan; raise heat and cook rapidly, breaking up tomatoes with a fork. Add rosemary or thyme, turn down heat and cook gently 20 to 30 minutes, until tomato sauce thickens. If necessary, add a little reserved juice to keep sauce from sticking.

5. Step 5

   Remove mushrooms from the bowl, but do not discard the soaking water. Rinse mushrooms under running water from tap; chop coarsely and add to tomato sauce. Strain the soaking water through a fine-mesh sieve or a paper coffee filter directly into the sauce. Mix well. Taste sauce and add salt, if necessary, and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

6. Step 6

   Slice sausages into ½-inch slices and add to the sauce, mixing well. Just before serving, remove rosemary sprig, if used. Serve over hot polenta mush or toasted or sauteed polenta slices.