Quick Chicken Ragu

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 (1/4 lb) piece pancetta, cut into 1/4-inch dice (2/3 cup) - can use bacon instead
1 Tbsp finely chopped sage
1 1/2 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces - pork can be used instead
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium carrot, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
1 cup light dry red wine such as Pinot Noir
1 (14- to 15-oz) can diced tomatoes in juice, drained
3/4 tsp coarse gray sea salt - could start with 1/2 tsp, ours was a little too salty the first time
1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
Cooked polenta (see below) or couscous

1. Heat oil and butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet (2 inches deep) over medium heat until hot but not smoking, then add pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes.  Add sage and rosemary and cook, stirring, 30 seconds.
2. Add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink on outside, 2 to 3 minutes.  Add onion, carrot, and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes.
3. Add wine and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced to about 1 cup, about 10 minutes.
4. Add tomatoes, sea salt, and pepper and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened, 5 to 10 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.  Serve over polenta or couscous.

Note: Ragu can be made 1 day ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then chilled, covered.

Polenta:
Bring 4 cups water to a boil with 2 tsp salt in a heavy pot, then add 1 cup polenta (not quick-cooking) or yellow cornmeal in a thin stream, whisking.  Cook over medium heat, whisking, 2 minutes.  Reduce heat to low and simmer polenta, covered, stirring for 1 minute after every 10 minutes of cooking (a long-handled wooden spoon is helpful for this), 45 minutes total.  Remove from heat and keep covered - polenta will stay warm and creamy for 20 minutes, but will begin to thicken and solidify if it stands longer.

Source: A delicious recipe given to me by Connie Jacobson, one of my MOPS mentor moms!