-
1
Place half of pork and half of fat in processor.
-
2
Using on/off turns, blend until pork is ground to coarse texture (about 1/4-inch cubes).
-
3
Scrape into large bowl.
-
4
Repeat with remaining pork and fat.
-
5
Add all remaining sausage ingredients to bowl with pork and mix gently with hands until blended.
-
6
Using wet hands, shape sausage into 10 oval patties, each about 3/4 inch thick.
-
7
Place on plastic-lined plate.
-
8
Cover and chill at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.
-
9
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat.
-
10
Add sausage patties and saute until brown, about 4 minutes per side.
-
11
Transfer patties to small baking sheet.
-
12
Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat from skillet (or add olive oil to make 2 Add tomatoes with juice and 2 tablespoons basil.
-
13
Simmer uncovered until sauce thickens, crushing tomatoes with back of fork, about 10 minutes.
-
14
Add sausage patties and any juices to sauce.
-
15
Cover; simmer over medium heat until cooked through and tender, turning patties occasionally, about 15 minutes.
-
16
Season sauce with salt and pepper.
-
17
DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead.
-
18
Cool; cover and chill.
-
19
Rewarm covered over low heat before continuing.
-
20
Spoon polenta into large shallow bowl.
-
21
Top with sausages and sauce.
-
22
Sprinkle with cheese and additional chopped basil.
-
23
Serve, passing more cheese separately.
-
24
Available at specialty foods stores and from zingermans.com.