Funchi with karni (cornmeal polenta with meat stew)

Instructions

1. Cut the meat into cubes, season it, then brown it in the oil over high heat until golden.
2. Add the chopped onion and garlic, let them cook for 5 minutes, then stir in the chopped tomatoes and the paste.
3. Pour in the water, add the thyme, bay leaf, paprika and sugar, then cover and simmer gently for 50 minutes.
4. For the funchi, bring 1 litre of salted water to a boil in a heavy saucepan.
5. Pour the cornmeal in a steady rain while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to avoid lumps.
6. Lower the heat and cook for 20 minutes, stirring regularly, until the polenta pulls away from the sides.
7. Finish with a knob of butter, spoon the funchi into a deep plate and top it with the stew.