Truffle Porcini And Pecorino Cheese Polenta Food

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.

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.

CHEESE TORTELLINI WITH PORCINI PECORINO SAUCE

Steps:

• Soak dried mushrooms in hot water for 15 minutes. Strain mushrooms through a sieve, reserving liquid. While the mushrooms are soaking, cook tortellini according to package directions.
• While the tortellini is cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots and garlic and cook 3 minutes, stirring with spoon until soft. Add oregano and bay leaves and cook 1 minute, until fragrant. Add porcini mushrooms and reserved mushroom soaking liquid and bring to a simmer, for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, add heavy cream and simmer 2 minutes to heat through. Remove bay leaves with tongs, add tortellini to the mushrooms and cook 1 minute, to heat through. Remove from heat and stir in cheese and parsley. Serve immediately.

PECORINO-AND-PEPPER POLENTA

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine 4 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper; bring to a boil. Whisking constantly, gradually add cornmeal. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, whisking often, until thickened, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat, and stir in Pecorino and butter. Serve immediately, sprinkled with more pepper.

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.