Dining and Cooking
Sides and Accompaniments

Italian Grandma Makes Polenta with Tomato Mushroom Sauce



POLENTA with TOMATO MUSHROOM SAUCE:
2 cups Polenta (cornmeal)
6 cups Water + 2 tsp Salt, or to taste
1 Onion, chopped
3-4 cloves Garlic, minced
16 oz Mushrooms, sliced
1 qt Tomato Sauce, unseasoned
2 tsp Oregano, approx.
2 tsp Dried Basil, approx.
Olive Oil
Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese
Salt & Pepper to taste

COOKBOOK: “Cooking with Grandma Gina” is available on Amazon in Paperback and eBook.
Recipes in cookbook are based on videos released prior to March 2021.
Click on the following Amazon link for the cookbook:
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Adelphia, NJ 07710

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FAQ:
Who is this lady?
Gina Petitti was born in 1935 in Faeto, Italy. Her family ran a farm in Italy and she met her husband, Vito, in the same town. In 1970 Gina, Vito, and her 4 children immigrated to America. Gina’s husband passed away in 2012, but she is surrounded by a large family, which includes 9 grandchildren, and lives 5 minutes away from her eldest daughter in New Jersey. Gina spends her time cooking, gardening, and being an active member of her local Church.

Where does Gina get her recipes?
Most of these recipes are from what she learned growing up in Italy, but some of them have evolved over time. She has also learned new recipes from friends and family in America. She is always eager to try new things.

Why is no one helping her in the video?
Grandma Gina doesn’t want help! Usually, it’s because we will slow her down or not do it “her way.” For the videos we only show her, but when the camera cuts we jump in and help form the cookies or prep for the next step.

Why don’t we buy her a new…?
Grandma Gina has a closet and garage full of new gadgets, spoons, forks, pots, etc… but she doesn’t like them because she is used to doing it with her old tools. She has fun getting her hands dirty!

Who is behind the camera?
Her retired son-in-law films, her daughter helps her prep, and she usually has one or two grandkids in the kitchen.

Does Gina read the comments?
We print out and show her how much love she gets from all her viewers, and she is very thankful and hopes you enjoy her cooking! Your comments bring her lots of joy, laughter, and inspiration to make more videos to share with you.

Thank you for watching, we hope you subscribe, and we will see you in our next video!

20 Comments

  2. Brewermb

    I would love to make this, but one I don't know the words to the song, and two I can't sing.😁😁

  4. ol ka

    ;))))) très sympa , merci pour me faire sourire avec votre Grande dame

  9. florence hendrick

    This is especially heartwarming because my precious mother made Polenta for us as kids, and we had it the old country style. It was served on the kitchen table because we didn't have a large board. But my mother would spread it out using a spoon then she made indentations throughout the polenta to hold the gravy….as kids we called them canals. Then depending what you had, meat, beans, veggies or a combination of each, my mother would pour the gravy over the polenta and then put the additional items on top…..we all had a spoon and we sectioned off our portion and began eating….most often I couldn't finish mine so it was saved the rest for leftovers the following day. Polenta is one of my all time favorites and I get cravings for it. So, I keep a nice stash of cornmeal in my pantry. Oh how I wish I had photos to look back on, but we just didn't think about taking photos. I am the eldest of 5 kids as well and looked forward to the leftovers as well. God bless you Gina!

  10. florence hendrick

    My mother used to say that when she was young polenta was called a poor man's meal. However, it wasn't too long ago I was at a very nice restaurant with my husband, and when I saw Polent on the menu for an appetizer, I just had to have it, even though it was a crazy price of $8.00 for 4 very small pieces with a sprinkle of cheese and about 1/4 teaspoon of sauce the pieces were about 2 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 inches…..I was shocked because for $8 you could make thousands of appetizers! This is the world we live in, and the reason that I love eating at home instead.

  14. Kristine Skruck

    This is a very healthy meal. Your escarole/lentil soup and minestrone were healthy too. I love this because i'm always trying to keep my meals healthy for my family. I made your escarole/lentil soup this week it was delicious!! I love your channel. You're such a lovely lady. Thank you!!!

  20. Marshal

    Grandmother's videos always get priority. Beautiful cooking style, dear grandmother ❤.

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