Polenta is a classic Italian dish made from cornmeal that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is often paired with hearty sauces and flavorful ingredients to create a delicious and satisfying meal. In this article, we will delve into the world of polenta and guide you through the process of creating a delectable dish of polenta accompanied by wild mushrooms and marinara sauce. This combination is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.
Let's cook with our recipes!
POLENTA WITH WILD MUSHROOMS AND MARINARA SAUCE
Years ago, I abandoned the traditional stir-until-you-get-a-blister-on-the-inside-of-your-thumb method for making polenta and became a convert to the easy oven-baked version. But then I began working with polenta freshly milled from heirloom varieties of corn, and went back to the top-of-the-stove method because the results were exceptionally creamy and fragrant. This was at the urging of Kay Rentschler, who is the creative director of the Anson Mills website and writes its recipes. She is very specific about the best way to cook the mill's products, so I followed her instructions for polenta, which are shared here. The flavor of the corn is heavenly, and once it begins to thicken, you don't have to stir continuously, so it is not tedious to make. You could serve polenta as a side, but I like to show it off and serve it as a main dish (a boon for those who now eschew pasta). It's a wonderful vehicle for any number of toppings, but my favorite is a simple tomato sauce embellished with pan-cooked mushrooms, preferably meaty, flavorful varieties like oysters or maitakes. If you want to be extravagant, throw a few chanterelles into the mix.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, main course
Time 1h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- To make the polenta, place it and 3 1/2 cups water in a heavy 2 1/2- or 3-quart saucepan with a lid, and stir to combine. Set over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly until the fine polenta particles remain suspended and evenly distributed in the water without continuous stirring. This should take 5 to 8 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low, cover partly and cook, stirring often, until polenta is soft and holds its shape on a spoon, about 35 minutes. Whisk in salt after 20 minutes. When polenta is done, whisk in pepper, butter and Parmesan.
- While polenta is cooking, pan-cook mushrooms. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over high heat in a wide, heavy skillet or a wok. Add mushrooms and cook, tossing and stirring often, until they sear and begin to sweat, about 3 minutes.
- Reduce heat under mushrooms to medium. Add another tablespoon oil and the shallots and cook, stirring, until just tender, 3 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, and rosemary or sage. Season with salt and pepper and continue to cook over medium heat until mushrooms are soft, about 5 more minutes. Add wine and cook, stirring, until it is no longer visible in the pan. Add parsley, taste and adjust seasoning. Remove from heat.
- As soon as polenta is soft, spoon into wide bowls or onto plates. Make a depression in the middle with the back of a spoon and add a spoonful of hot tomato sauce. Top with a spoonful of mushrooms, sprinkle with Parmesan if desired, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 416, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 48 grams, Fat 17 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 15 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 649 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 0 grams
POLENTA WITH TOMATO AND WILD MUSHROOM SAUCE
Provided by Marian Burros
Categories dinner, main course
Time 35m
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cover mushrooms with hot water and set aside.
- Crush the plum tomatoes between the fingers and place in pot, without the juice, along with the thyme, oregano and pepper. Cook over medium high heat for 10 minutes, until most of liquid has been absorbed.
- Drain mushrooms and squeeze out liquid; chop coarsely and add to tomatoes. Strain leftover liquid. Add some mushroom liquid if tomato mixture has become too dry.
- Meanwhile, bring chicken stock to boil (follow directions on instant polenta package for amount of liquid needed).
- When stock has boiled, slowly add polenta, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick and liquid has been absorbed.
- Serve polenta topped with the tomato-mushroom sauce and grated cheese.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 539, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 96 grams, Fat 9 grams, Fiber 10 grams, Protein 21 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 566 milligrams, Sugar 16 grams
POLENTA WITH WILD MUSHROOMS
Steps:
- Heat olive oil in large skillet and cook mushrooms over medium heat until golden brown. Season and keep warm.In a medium saucepan, bring stock or water to a boil. Stir in cornmeal. Reduce heat to a simmer and stir occasionally to prevent lumps. Cook for approximately 30 minutes. Taste the polenta, it should be thick and smooth without a coarse texture. Cook over low heat until the texture is correct. Stir in butter, cheese and salt and pepper. Serve hot as a side or main dish.
MUSHROOM POLENTA
Creamy polenta topped with sautéed mushrooms is a classic heart-warming side dish. We've upped the umami flavor here by cooking the polenta in a mushroom broth, creating a delicious and rich version for the mushroom-lover in everyone.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 0
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.
EASY POLENTA WITH TOMATO SAUCE
My entire family loves this recipe. A quick baked polenta topped with red sauce. Very easy to make and great the next day too (and the day after that!) Top with additional Parmesan cheese if you like.
Provided by Jacquita
Categories Side Dish Grain Side Dish Recipes Polenta Recipes
Time 20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 inch square baking dish.
- In a large pot, combine the milk and chicken stock. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. When it is at a rolling boil, gradually whisk in the cornmeal, making sure there are no lumps. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring constantly until thick, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese.
- Pour the polenta into the prepared baking dish, and spread spaghetti sauce over the top.
- Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until sauce is bubbling.
POLENTA WITH MUSHROOMS
This easy slurry method-from Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything: The Basics-takes polenta into weekday fare. And this recipe shows how to make a deeply flavored mushroom sauce with the simple addition of dried porcini.
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories Mushroom Hominy/Cornmeal/Masa Dinner Vegetarian Parsley Parmesan
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
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.
POLENTA BITES WITH WILD MUSHROOMS AND FONTINA
Store-bought tubes of polenta are the ultimate appetizer shortcut: just slice and toast in the oven, top with sautéed wild mushrooms and a sprinkling of grated Fontina, then bake again until melty and irresistible. A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes and a splash of Sherry vinegar punch up the flavor of the mushrooms.
Provided by Anna Stockwell
Categories New Year's Eve Hors D'Oeuvre Cocktail Party Hominy/Cornmeal/Masa Mushroom Fontina Vegetarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Appetizer
Yield Makes 30
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Brush both sides of polenta slices very lightly with oil and arrange on 2 rimmed baking sheets. Roast polenta until lightly golden brown and warmed through, about 25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, melt butter with remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until tender and browned, about 12 minutes. Add shallots, vinegar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper and cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in parsley.
- Divide mushroom mixture between baking sheets with polenta. Top with cheese. Continue to roast until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
- Arrange polenta bites on a platter and serve.
- Do Ahead
- Mushroom mixture can be made 1 day ahead. Transfer to an airtight container and chill.
GRILLED POLENTA WITH MUSHROOM SAUCE
The Eagle Cap wilderness is a beautiful area in the nearby Wallowa Mountains where wild mushrooms are abundant in spring. Guests enjoy the distinctive flavors of the homemade sauce infused with Marsala wine and served over grilled polenta.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 55m
Yield 9 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- In a large heavy saucepan, saute shallot in oil until tender. Add the basil, garlic and oregano; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in wine. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes., Add the broth, tomatoes and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce to heat to a gentle boil; slowly whisk in cornmeal. Cook and stir with a wooden spoon for 15-20 minutes or until polenta is thickened and pulls away cleanly from the side of the pan. Spread into a 9-in. square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute mushrooms and shallot in oil until tender. Add the garlic, salt and pepper; cook 1 minute longer. Add wine, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Gradually stir in cream. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir for 5-10 minutes or until slightly thickened., Cut polenta into nine squares. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until crisp and golden brown. Serve with mushroom sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 258 calories, Fat 19g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 38mg cholesterol, Sodium 603mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.
MUSHROOM MARINARA SAUCE--EASY
This is a quicker version of my basic tomato sauce. I cut several corners in this recipe, without sacrificing too much. Instead of pureeing the tomatoes for a smooth sauce, I leave it chunky. I do not use a knife or cutting board for the preparation (although you could, of course). Rather, I use an egg slicer to slice mushrooms and a garlic press to mince garlic. The sauce is started when the pot of water for the pasta is put on the stove. When the pasta is cooked, the sauce is ready.
Provided by VickyJ
Categories Sauces
Time 25m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Start by heating the oil over medium-low heat in a large pan.
- Slice mushrooms with egg slicer.
- When all the mushrooms are sliced, raise the heat on the pan to medium and add the mushrooms.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, for a few minutes until the mushrooms are tender and their juices released.
- Season the mushrooms with salt and pepper and reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Using the garlic press, place a clove of unpeeled garlic into the press and add right to the pan (using a fork to get the garlic off the press as necessary). Discard the peel, and continue with the remaining garlic.
- Stir in the pressed garlic and add a small pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Open the can of tomatoes and pour the liquid right into the pan.
- With a kitchen scissor, chop the tomatoes coarsely, right in the can, then, add them to the sauce.
- Add more seasoning, the bay leaf and dried basil, thyme and sugar, then simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes (while the pasta cooks).
- When it is almost time to serve, add a little of the pasta cooking liquid to the sauce.
- Using the scissors, snip the parsley leaves into the sauce.
- I taste for seasoning, discard bay leaf and serve over cooked pasta.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 291.1, Fat 8.4, SaturatedFat 1.7, Sodium 530.1, Carbohydrate 60.1, Fiber 18, Sugar 13.9, Protein 10.2
BAKED POLENTA WITH SAUSAGE AND MUSHROOM SAUCE
Surprisingly easy method for preparing polenta. No standing over the stove stirring for 30 minutes. And, the best part... it turns out perfect every single time. The sauce is fresh and complements the polenta well.
Provided by Candice
Time 55m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Prepare polenta: Stir water, polenta, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper together in an 8-inch square baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven until most of the water has been absorbed, about 40 minutes.
- While the polenta is baking, prepare sauce: Heat oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook for 7 minutes.
- Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Pour in sausage, chicken stock, and diced tomatoes; simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove polenta from the oven and stir in Parmesan cheese. Spoon sauce over polenta and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 491.5 calories, Carbohydrate 32 g, Cholesterol 61.7 mg, Fat 30.6 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 21.9 g, SaturatedFat 12.2 g, Sodium 1508.8 mg, Sugar 4.8 g
POLENTA WITH MUSHROOMS AND SPINACH
As a vegetarian, I love coming up with new dishes that non-vegetarians will enjoy (and not miss the meat). This polenta with mushrooms and spinach recipe is so good, everyone always asks for the recipe. -Marcy Delpome, Stanhope, New Jersey
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 1h15m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425°. Brush both sides of polenta slices with 1 tablespoon oil; place on a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake 20-25 minutes on each side or until crisp., Meanwhile, in large skillet, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and shallot; cook and stir 12-14 minutes or until liquid has evaporated and mushrooms start to brown. Add sherry; cook, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan., In a small bowl, mix flour, salt and pepper; stir in broth until smooth. Stir into pan. Cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Add spinach; cook and stir over medium-low heat until slightly wilted, about 2 minutes., Arrange polenta on a platter; top with mushroom mixture.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 97 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 295mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.
Tips:
- Use fresh wild mushrooms: Fresh wild mushrooms are more flavorful and have a better texture than dried mushrooms. If you can't find fresh wild mushrooms, you can use dried mushrooms. Just be sure to soak them in hot water for 30 minutes before using them.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: When cooking the mushrooms, don't overcrowd the pan. This will prevent them from cooking evenly and will make them more likely to stick to the pan.
- Use a good quality marinara sauce: A good quality marinara sauce will make all the difference in this dish. Be sure to use a sauce that is flavorful and has a good balance of acidity and sweetness.
- Serve polenta with grated Parmesan cheese: Polenta is traditionally served with grated Parmesan cheese. The cheese adds a salty, nutty flavor to the dish.
Conclusion:
Polenta with Wild Mushrooms and Marinara Sauce is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a cold night. The polenta is creamy and flavorful, the mushrooms are earthy and savory, and the marinara sauce is rich and tangy. This dish is sure to please everyone at your table.
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