Polenta With Garlic And Mushrooms Recipes

CREAMY POLENTA WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• For the polenta, bring 4 1/2 cups water and the milk to a high simmer in a medium-size heavy saucepan set over medium-high heat. Add salt. Pour the cornmeal slowly into the liquid, stirring with a wire whisk to prevent clumping. Continue stirring as the mixture thickens, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Turn heat to low. Cook for approximately 40 to 45 minutes, stirring every 5 to 10 minutes. If the polenta becomes quite thick, thin it with 1/2 cup water, stir well and continue cooking. Add up to 1 cup more water as necessary, to keep the polenta soft enough to stir.
• Add the butter to pot, and stir well. Add the Parmesan, if using. Taste for seasoning. Set the covered saucepan in a pot of barely simmering water, and keep warm for up to an hour or so.
• Meanwhile, put the dried mushrooms in a small bowl, and cover with about 1/2 cup boiling water. Allow to steep for 20 minutes. Remove the mushrooms, and pat dry, then chop roughly. Reserve the mushroom stock.
• Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a sauté pan set over high heat until it has melted. Add the garlic and cook until it starts to sizzle, about 30 seconds. Do not let the garlic brown.
• Add the fresh and reconstituted mushrooms and thyme to the pan, and sauté 3 to 4 minutes, turning until browned. Add about 1/4 cup of the mushroom stock to deglaze the surface, using a wooden spoon to scrape at the browned bits. Allow the stock to reduce by half, then turn the heat to medium-low and add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter, whisking to combine, followed by the soy sauce, cream and olive oil. Allow mixture to cook until it thickens a little, then remove from heat. Taste for seasoning, adding black pepper, if desired.
• Put the polenta in a warmed bowl, then top with mushrooms and the sauce. Serve immediately.

POLENTA WITH GARLIC AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• In a deep-sided, heavy-bottomed saucepan over high heat, bring the stock to a boil. Rain in the polenta, stirring all the time with a wooden spoon. Continue stirring, making sure to get deep into the corners of the pan.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking, stirring almost constantly until very thick, about 40 minutes. If the polenta begins to sputter or stick to the pan, reduce the heat to low.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the oil, and then add the 6 tablespoons of butter.
• When the oil starts to fizz, add half of the mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms until soft and honey-colored, about 8 to 10 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, turn them once.
• Once cooked, using kitchen tongs, move them to a dish and repeat with the remaining mushrooms. Don't wash the skillet just yet.
• Stir in the 6 tablespoons of melted butter, the cream, and the Parmesan into the polenta, and then pour in enough boiling water to give a soft texture that will fall easily from the spoon.
• Set the skillet used for the mushrooms over medium-low heat, and toss in the garlic, letting it brown lightly in the leftover butter, about 1 minute.
• Return the mushrooms to the skillet, add the chopped parsley and sage, if using, and cook just until everything is heated through.
• Spoon the polenta into a serving dish, top with the mushrooms and garlic, and serve.

MUSHROOM POLENTA

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 8 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms, season with salt and brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon each butter and fresh thyme and 1 minced shallot; cook 30 seconds. Meanwhile, simmer 3 cups mushroom broth and a pinch of salt in a saucepan. Whisk in 3/4 cup quick-cooking polenta; stir until thickened, 5 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan; season with salt and pepper. Top with the mushrooms, chopped parsley, more Parmesan and pepper.