Porcini Mushroom Polenta Food

POLENTA WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Put the dried mushrooms in a medium bowl and pour in the boiling water. Press them down into the water now and then until they are soft, anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes depending on how dry they were. When it's time to cook them, lift them out of the water with your hands or a slotted spoon and chop them roughly. Reserve the soaking water.
• Put the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When it's hot, add the soaked dried and fresh mushrooms and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are tender and have released all their liquid. 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add the wine and let it bubble away for 1 minute, then stir in the garlic, 1/4 cup of the parsley, and 1 cup of the reserved soaking water. Cook until the liquid thickens a bit, another 2 or 3 minutes, then taste, adjust the seasoning, and turn off the heat under the skillet.
• Put the polenta in a medium pot with 1 cup water and whisk to form a smooth slurry. Whisk in the milk and a pinch of salt and set the pot over medium-high heat. Heat until the mixture boils then lower the heat to medium and cook, whisking frequently adding more water a little at a time to prevent lumps and keep the mixture somewhat soupy. Expect to add another 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups of water before the polenta is ready. The polenta will be done in 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the grind. It will be thick and creamy, with just a little grittiness, and the mixture will pull away from the sides of the pan when you stir. When the polenta is done, turn the heat under the mushrooms to medium to warm them quickly.
• Stir the butter and cheese into the polenta then taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve the polenta topped with the mushrooms and garnished with the remaining 1/4 cup parsley.
• Cooks' Notes
• Soaking Dried Mushrooms: The time needed to soften mushrooms depends on their size and age. They're ready when you can cut one easily with a paring knife. You want to reserve the soaking liquid but leave the grit behind, so lift out the mushrooms rather than pouring to drain them.
• Making The Sauce: When the mushrooms are tender and the wine has bubbled away, stir in the garlic, parsley, and soaking water.
• Making Polenta by the Slurry Method: When the slurry just starts to boil, turn it down a bit so it bubbles gently. Add more water or stir with a wooden spoon.
• Recognizing Doneness: When the polenta starts to pull away from the pan and is no longer gritty, it's time to stir in the butter and Parmesan.

MUSHROOM POLENTA

Steps:

• Prepare the mushrooms: Gently wipe the mushroom caps clean with a dry paper towel. Trim the bottom of stems and cut the mushrooms into quarters if large and halves if small. The cut pieces should be about the same size.
• Cook the mushrooms: Heat a large skillet over high heat until it's hot. It may take about 1 minute. Carefully add the 1/4 cup water and mushrooms. Cook, stirring until all the water evaporates, about 12 minutes. The mushrooms will release more water, but they will become smooth and shiny. The timing depends on how much moisture the mushrooms have-they're ready when the skillet is dry. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and stir. Allow the mushrooms to sit undisturbed to brown for a minute or so, then stir again. Lower the heat if the mushrooms are darkening too quickly. Continue cooking the mushrooms until they are browned all over and crisp-tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon of salt and black pepper. Transfer the mushrooms into a medium bowl.
• Make the sauce: Heat the same large skillet used for the mushrooms over medium heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, garlic, onion, oregano, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook stirring until the onions are tender and limp, about 10 minutes. Add a drizzle of oil if the vegetables look too dry. Lower the heat if the garlic is browning too quickly. Add the tomato paste and smoosh with the back of the wooden spoon into the pan to cook out some of the raw flavor, about 30 seconds. The paste might stick to your spoon but just keep swirling it around the pan. Stir in 1/2 cup vegetable stock. Return the mushrooms to the skillet and stir briefly to re-warm. Turn off the heat and stir in the vinegar and 1 tablespoon butter. Taste and season with more salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you'd like. Set it aside while you cook the polenta.
• Make the polenta: In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring 4 cups of vegetable stock and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil. Slowly add the polenta while whisking. Turn the heat down to maintain a gentle simmer. Once all the polenta has been added, switch to a wooden spoon and cook, stirring until the polenta is thick and bubbly, about 3 minutes. It will pull away from the sides of the saucepan. Taste it. It should be creamy, not grainy.
• Season the polenta: Stir in the Parmesan, 2 tablespoons parsley, and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Turn off the heat.
• Serve: Divide the polenta among shallow serving bowls. Spoon the mushrooms on top. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons parsley and more Parmesan.

WILD MUSHROOM POLENTA WITH PORCINI SAUCE

Steps:

• Prep the porcini:
• In a small bowl, combine porcini mushrooms and 1 cup warm water. Let stand until mushrooms soften, about 30 minutes. Remove porcini mushrooms from the liquid, strain and reserve liquid. Finely chop the mushrooms and set aside.
• Roast the mushrooms:
• While the porcini are soaking, set racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat oven to 450°F. On two rimmed baking sheets, gently toss mushrooms with thyme and oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast mushrooms until edges are browned, about 10 minutes. Set aside until ready to use.
• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Sauté shallot until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, and sauté for 2 minutes more. Add white wine and bay leaf and increase heat; boil until most liquid evaporates, about 7 minutes. Add reserved chopped porcini mushrooms, vegetable stock, and reserved mushroom liquid. Boil until liquid is reduced to 1 cup, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove bay leaf.
• In a small bowl, stir butter and flour together until it forms a paste. Whisk the butter mixture into the mushroom sauce. Simmer until sauce thickens, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
• Make the polenta:
• In a large saucepan, bring 6 cups water and the salt to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and whisk in the polenta, whisking constantly to make sure there are no lumps. Cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until thickened and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in the cheese,and butter. Season with salt and pepper. Serve polenta immediately topped with porcini sauce and roasted mushrooms.

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.

MUSHROOM POLENTA WITH PORCINI SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Place the dried Porcini mushrooms in 1 cup warm water and let sit for 30 to 45 minutes. Drain the mushrooms through fine mesh strainer reserving the liquid. Chop up the mushrooms and set aside.
• 2. Preheat oven 450 degrees. Place a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Place the mushrooms and thyme leaves on paper. Drizzle olive oil over the mushrooms and season with salt. Roast the mushrooms for 15 minutes. Set aside.
• 3. To make the sauce. Heat oil in large saucepan. Saute the shallot until softened. Add the garlic and saute another minute. Add the wine and let most evaporate. Add the Porcini mushrooms, beef broth, and reserved mushroom liquid. Boil for about 15 to 20 minutes until reduced to about 1 cup. Stir the butter and flour together to make a paste. Stir into the sauce mixture to thicken.
• 4. For the polenta. Add the water to a large pot. stir in the salt. Add the Instant Polenta and cook 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add the cheese and butter.
• 5. Serve the Polenta topped with Porcini Sauce and Roasted mushrooms

TRUFFLE, PORCINI, AND PECORINO CHEESE POLENTA

Steps:

• For the polenta:
• In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, bring the water to a boil and add the kosher salt. Slowly stir in the polenta with a whisk, then reduce to a simmer. Continue stirring this mixture until all of the lumps are smoothed out and the polenta is fully incorporated. Simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour-the polenta should bubble slightly-stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. (Be sure to scrape the bottom as you go, to prevent sticking.) Toward the end of the simmering, remove the polenta from the heat and stir in the kefir.
• For the mushrooms:
• While the polenta is cooking, in a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the porcinis, evenly distributing them over the bottom of the pot. Let the mushrooms sit, without stirring, until browned, 7 to 10 minutes. (Do not stir them too early; listen for the sizzling sound of moisture evaporating before stirring.) Once the moisture has evaporated, give them a quick stir, then remove the pan from the heat.
• To plate:
• Ladle the polenta into a medium/large shallow bowl, topping with the mushrooms and pecorino cheese. Sprinkle the entire platter with the truffle salt or the truffle oil or shave the fresh truffle over it; don't use more than one of these options or it will overpower the dish. If not using truffle salt, sprinkle with a generous pinch of Maldon sea salt.

BREAST OF CHICKEN WITH ROSEMARY AND POLENTA WITH PORCINI MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Begin by cleaning and marinating the chicken in 6 ounces of the olive oil, fresh rosemary, and a pinch of salt for approximately 4 hours.
• To prepare the polenta, bring the salted water to a boil. Once the water has boiled, sprinkle the polenta flour in the water and beat with a whisk. Lower the heat and cook for about 40 minutes until the polenta falls away from the sides of the pan. It is hard to determine the exact amount of water as it depends on the quality of the polenta flour. If it becomes hard, add hot water until the polenta softens and can be stirred.
• To cook the chicken, remove it from the marinade, dust the chicken breasts with flour, place them in a pan, add the white wine, and cook on high heat for 10 minutes, flipping on each side.
• At the same time the chicken is cooking, using another pan, heat the remaining 3 ounces of olive oil. Add the rosemary sprigs to flavor the oil. Take the rosemary out and add the porcini mushrooms and salt. Cook for 5 minutes and then add the chopped parsley.
• To serve, place the chicken on a plate and add some of the sauce from the pan. On the side place some polenta and top it with some of the porcini mushrooms. To garnish, sprinkle some parsley and add a sprig of rosemary.

POLENTA AI FUNGHI PORCINI

Steps:

• Bring the water and salt to a boil in a large heavy stockpot. Let it boil for 2 minutes, then remove the pot from heat and add polenta flour by the handful, beating constantly. Continue to add the flour slowly, controlling the flow to a thin stream through your fingers to avoid lumps. Return the pot to the stove and bring to low simmer. Continue cooking for about 40 minutes, stirring constantly. Polenta will be done when it cleanly pulls away from the sides of the pot. Stir in the butter, heavy cream and cheese. Once combined, carefully pour the polenta onto a large sheet pan (12 by 18-inch). Spread it out evenly and let it cool completely until firm to the touch, about 1 1/2 hours.
• In a large saute pan over high heat, add the butter, chopped garlic, porcini mushrooms, and salt and pepper, to taste. Cook without stirring until the water from the mushrooms has been released and has evaporated. Add the Marsala wine, and parsley and begin stirring with a wooden spoon. Once the ingredients are incorporated, add the cream, reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking until the cream is reduced by half and has a thick consistency. Remove from the heat and keep covered. Set aside.
• Heat the canola oil over high heat in a large deep pot or a deep-fryer. Meanwhile, slice the cooled polenta into desired size and shape. Once the oil has reached frying temperature, add the polenta, in batches, and deep-fry until golden brown.
• Arrange the polenta on serving plates and spoon the desired amount of sauce over the top. Garnish with the shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano and serve immediately.

POLENTA WITH PORCINI MUSHROOM SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine 6 cups water, oil and salt in heavy large saucepan. Bring to boil. Gradually whisk in cornmeal. Reduce heat to low; cook until polenta is very thick, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Stir in 1 1/4 cups Parmesan cheese and butter.
• Ladle polenta into shallow bowls. Top with Porcini Mushroom Sauce. Serve with additional cheese, if desired.

CHICKEN WITH PORCINI GRAVY AND POLENTA

Steps:

• Place the dried mushrooms in pot with 2 cups of the stock. Simmer to soften the mushrooms and flavor the stock. When rehydrated, remove the mushrooms from the stock and chop. Reserve the stock, except for the very bottom, which may contain grit from the mushrooms.
• Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper, and then dredge in flour. Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat and add the chicken to brown on both sides. Remove to a plate and add a bit more oil if necessary. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter to the pan and melt. When the butter foams, add the garlic, onions, sage, thyme and some salt and pepper, and cook to soften, 7 to 8 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons flour, then deglaze the pan with the wine. Add the chopped mushrooms and whisk in the flavored stock. Cook to thicken a bit and add the chicken back to the sauce.
• Cool and store for a make-ahead meal. Reheat over medium heat.
• To serve, heat the remaining 1 cup stock, the milk and 1 cup water to a low boil. Whisk in the polenta, and then whisk to thicken, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, some salt and pepper and the grated cheese.
• Serve the polenta in shallow bowls topped with the chicken, gravy and a sprinkle of parsley.

MUSHROOM-POLENTA LASAGNA

Steps:

• Make the sauce: Soak the dried porcini in 3 cups hot water, 30 minutes. Drain, reserving 2 cups of the soaking liquid. Roughly chop the porcini.
• Heat 1 tablespoon each butter and olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half of the button and shiitake mushrooms and cook, undisturbed, until slightly browned on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring, until soft, 2 to 3 more minutes; transfer to a bowl. Repeat with another 1 tablespoon each butter and olive oil and the remaining button and shiitake mushrooms. Transfer to the bowl and add 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon each butter and olive oil to the skillet. Add the onion and porcini and cook, stirring, until the onion is soft, about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until darkened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the reserved 2 cups porcini liquid, the crushed tomatoes, button and shiitake mushrooms and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley; season with salt.
• Prepare the lasagna: Bring 7 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan; transfer to a large heatproof bowl. Meanwhile, bring 3 cups water to a boil in a separate large saucepan. Gradually whisk the polenta and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt into the bowl of hot water. Cover the bowl tightly with foil and set over the saucepan of boiling water. Reduce the heat so the water is simmering; cook the polenta until the liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, uncover and vigorously whisk in the parmesan, eggs and nutmeg.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly brush a 3-quart baking dish with olive oil. Spread one-third of the polenta in the dish and top with half of the mushroom sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella. Repeat the layers (polenta, sauce, mozzarella), then top with the remaining polenta. (If the polenta gets too thick, whisk in a little hot water.)
• Loosely cover the dish with foil and bake until bubbly, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Turn on the broiler. Uncover the lasagna and top with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella; broil until melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

PORCINI-CRUSTED PORK WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• Process mushrooms in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a shallow bowl; stir in salt and pepper. Press 1 side of each pork chop into mushroom mixture., In a large ovenproof skillet coated with cooking spray, heat oil over medium-high heat. Place chops, mushroom side down, in skillet; cook for 2 minutes. Turn over; cook 2 minutes longer. Bake, uncovered, at 375° until at thermometer inserted in pork reads 145°, 20-25 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving., Prepare polenta according to package directions for soft polenta. Stir in cheese and rosemary. Serve with pork chops.

CREAMY POLENTA & MUSHROOM RAGOUT

Steps:

• Soak the dried mushrooms in 150ml warm water. Set aside for 20 mins, then drain and squeeze, reserving the soaking liquid. Heat the butter in a large frying pan. When sizzling, add the shallot and cook for a few mins until soft. Add the garlic and thyme leaves, cook for 1 min more, then turn up the heat and add the soaked mushrooms. After 1 min, add all the other mushrooms and fry over a very high heat for 5 mins until soft. Splash in the red wine and boil rapidly for 1 min. Pour in the stock and reserved mushroom liquid, and simmer for 15 mins until you have a thickened stew. Turn off the heat.
• For the polenta, bring the milk to the boil with 500ml water, the bay and thyme. Turn off the heat and leave to infuse for 20 mins, then fish out the herbs and bring back to the boil. Add the polenta in a steady stream, whisking steadily. Cook for 1 min until thickened, then stir in the butter and Parmesan. Spoon a 'crater' of polenta onto a baking tray and fill with the ragout. Top with slices of Taleggio, place under a hot grill until melting and oozy, then let everyone help themselves.