Polenta Ai Funghi Food

LINGUINI AI FUNGHI

Steps:

• Boil 6 quarts of water in a large pot. Once the water is boiling, add 2 tablespoons salt. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add 3 quick sprays of nonstick cooking spray to a large ovenproof saute pan or small roasting pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the garlic and onions, then cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until they have softened, about 2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups of the mushrooms and stir, then cover and cook until the mushrooms begin to steam, about 1 minute. Transfer the pan to the oven and cook, covered, until the mushrooms are soft, about 5 minutes. Grate the dried mushroom into the pan.
• Add the brandy, chicken stock and evaporated skim milk and bring to a simmer, then cook for about 5 minutes to let the flavors combine. Add the cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Meanwhile drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook to al dente according to the package instructions.
• Mix the arrowroot with 1 teaspoon of water, then add to the mushrooms and simmer, gently stirring, until thickened, about 1 minute. Add half the cheese and stir into the sauce. Drain the pasta and add to the sauce along with the remaining sliced mushrooms; cook over high heat, stirring, until the pasta holds the sauce. Divide the pasta among 4 bowls and sprinkle evenly with the remaining cheese.

POLENTA AI FUNGHI

Steps:

• Clean chanterelle mushrooms and chop bigger ones, leave small firm ones intact.
• melt butter in a large pan and add mushrooms.
• let mushrooms fry for about 10 minutes (they need to let water and simmer until water is gone).
• in the meanwhile bring milk, cream, salt, pepper and vegetable stock powder (about 1/2 tsp) to a boil, add polenta and cook until soft and fluffy (this depends on which version/brand you use, qick cook is fine).
• add chopped onion and garlic cloves to onions.
• incorporate half of the mushroom mixture into polenta (keep warm other half of sautéed mushrooms).
• transfer polenta mixture to a french oven or baking tray and spread evenly. Let rest until cooled and firm.
• cut polenta in wedges or rounds and fry in butter or clarified butter until golden brown and crisp on the outside (medium heat, about 2 minutes each).
• serve on plates and top with remaining mushroom sauce and garnish with chopped parsley.

POLENTA SQUARES WITH MUSHROOM RAGU

Steps:

• Bring the water, 1 tablespoon butter, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a heavy medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in the polenta. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir constantly until the polenta thickens, about 5 minutes. Pour the polenta into a greased 9 by 9-inch baking pan, spreading so that it is 1/3-inch thick. Cover and let stand at room temperature until set, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and onion. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper and saute until the juices evaporate, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until the mushrooms are golden brown, about 2 minutes longer. Decrease the heat to medium-low. Add the Marsala. Cover and simmer until the Marsala has reduced by about half, about 5 minutes. Stir the flour and remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl to form a paste, then stir the paste into the mushroom mixture. Cover and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir the parsley into the ragu. Season the ragu, to taste, with more salt and pepper.
• Cut the polenta into 36 bite-size squares. Arrange the polenta squares on a platter. Spoon the warm ragu atop the polenta and serve immediately.