John Beshs Creamy Polenta With Mascarpone Cheese Recipes

CREAMY PARMESAN POLENTA

Steps:

• Place the chicken stock in a large saucepan. Add the garlic and cook over medium-high heat until the stock comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and very slowly whisk in the cornmeal, whisking constantly to make sure there are no lumps. Switch to a wooden spoon, add the salt and pepper, and simmer, stirring almost constantly, for 10 minutes, until thick. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pan thoroughly while you're stirring. Off the heat, stir in the Parmesan, creme fraiche, and butter. Taste for seasonings and serve hot with extra Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top.

SOFT POLENTA WITH MASCARPONE

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and bring to a simmer.
• Slowly whisk in the polenta. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, until the polenta is thick, about 2 hours (adjust the consistency with water or stock, if necessary).
• Remove from the heat and whisk in the mascarpone, parmesan and the remaining 4 tablespoons butter. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with parsley.

CREAMY WHITE POLENTA WITH MUSHROOMS AND MASCARPONE

Steps:

• Make polenta:
• Bring water to a simmer in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan. Add grits in a slow stream, whisking until incorporated. Simmer, stirring occasionally with a long-handled whisk or wooden spoon, until liquid is absorbed and polenta is thick and soft, about 30 minutes. (Grits will have a loose, risotto-like consistency.) Remove from heat and stir in cream, cheese, salt, and pepper. Keep warm, covered.
• Sauté mushrooms while polenta simmers:
• If using porcini, halve if large, then slice lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. If using oysters, trim spongy base if necessary and slice caps into 1/2-inch-wide strips. If using chanterelles, leave small mushrooms whole, halve if medium, and quarter if large. If using lobsters, cut into 1/2-inch pieces. If using hedgehogs, trim base of stems and halve caps if large.
• Heat oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté mushrooms, garlic, salt, and pepper, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are golden and any liquid they give off is evaporated, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Add water, butter, lemon juice, and parsley and heat, swirling skillet, until butter melts and liquid forms a sauce.
• To serve:
• Top each serving of polenta with mushrooms and mascarpone. Serve immediately (polenta stiffens as it cools), sprinkled with Parmigiano-Reggiano.

JOHN BESH'S CREAMY POLENTA WITH MASCARPONE CHEESE

Steps:

• Lightly season 2 cups water with salt and bring to a boil. Quickly whisk in the polenta until it has been fully incorporated. Reduce the heat to a low simmer. Add the butter and allow the polenta to cook uncovered for 30 minutes. Stir in the mascarpone and season to taste with salt.
• This may be made in advance and kept in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave just before serving.
• Assembly: Reheat the three components of the dish separately.
• On each of 6 large plates, place a couple of spoonfuls of polenta in the center of the plate.
• Carefully remove the bones from the hot ribs and place the beef short ribs over the bed of polenta.
• In a pan over medium heat, bring the reserved braising liquid to a simmer. Once the sauce is hot, check for seasoning and, if needed, add a touch of salt and pepper. Spoon the sauce around the beef short ribs and polenta. Carefully place the root vegetable ragout on the beef. Serve and enjoy!

POLENTA WITH GORGONZOLA CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a heavy large saucepan. Add 1 3/4 teaspoons of salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat and simmer until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, stirring often, about 20 minutes. After 10 minutes, you can switch to a wooden spoon for easier stirring.
• Turn off the heat. Add the butter, cream and Gorgonzola and stir until the cheese melts. Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the polenta to a bowl and serve.
• Note: If you're making the polenta ahead of time, put it on a double boiler and cover it with plastic wrap to keep it warm.

BAKED WHITE POLENTA WITH TWO CHEESES

Steps:

• Lightly butter 15x10x2-inch glass baking dish. Bring 12 cups water, 1 tablespoon salt, and garlic to boil in heavy large saucepan over high heat. Gradually add cornmeal, whisking until smooth. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until cornmeal is very soft and mixture is thick and creamy, whisking often, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in half of cheddar cheese, all of mascarpone, 3 tablespoons butter, and 1/4 teaspoon white pepper. Transfer polenta to prepared dish. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature.)
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Sprinkle remaining half of cheddar cheese over polenta. Dot with remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Bake polenta until heated through and golden on top, about 25 minutes.
• Italian cream cheese, available at Italian markets and many supermarkets.

CREAMY MASCARPONE POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the salt. Whisking constantly, add the cornmeal in a very thin, steady stream. Turn the heat as low as possible. Cook for 1 hour, stirring vigorously every 10 minutes. Add the mascarpone and pepper and beat until smooth and creamy. Serve hot.