Tis the season for comfort food!
As the weather has cooled off, our appetites have warmed up to cozier meal choices. That doesn’t mean our healthy diets are going into hibernation, though.
Rachael, one of Healthy Dining’s expert and food-loving dietitians and one of the creators of Nutrition Milestones, didn’t stop at sharing her favorite Pumpkin Lasagna recipe. She also thought you might enjoy one of her healthier comfort food picks, Creamy Polenta with Mushroom Sausage Ragu, featured on Nutrition Milestones. Let us know what you think.
How do you do comfort food without ditching your healthy diet this time of year?
Creamy Polenta with Mushroom Sausage RaguMakes 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 6 oz Italian sweet chicken sausage (raw and removed from casing)
- 2 cups sliced, fresh, mushrooms
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 1 (28 oz.) can of diced, unsalted, tomatoes in juice
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 oz. light cream cheese
- Basil sprigs for garnish
Directions:
Bring 4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth to a boil. Whisk in 1 cup of cornmeal. Continue to whisk continuously for 7-10 minutes. Polenta will look like thick porridge. Remove polenta from heat and stir in cream cheese. Stir until cream cheese is combined completely.
Heat sauté pan over medium heat, and cook sausage until done. Add in garlic and sliced mushrooms. Cook mushrooms until they are lightly browned. Add in diced tomatoes in juice, and cook until warmed through.
Portion polenta evenly into 4 bowls and top with tomato mixture. Garnish with basil sprigs. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information (per serving)*: 360 calories, 10 g fat, 3.5 g saturated fat, 35 mg cholesterol, 470 mg sodium, 47 g carbohydrates, 5 g fiber, 7 g sugar, 19 g protein, 1.5 cups vegetables.
*Recipe and nutrition information may vary by products (and/or brands) used.
Restaurants are a great choice for comfort food. Search for dietitian-recommended menu choices to enjoy near you and get a jump start on New Year’s resolutions.