Polenta Ai Funghi Recipes

Steps:

• Combine the milk, water, and cornmeal in a medium sized saute pan. Cook over low heat stirring constantly with a whisk until the mixture thickens (approximately 1/2 hour). After removing from the heat stir in 1-teaspoon butter and 1 teaspoon olive oil.
• In a saute pan, cook the mushrooms over high heat with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter for 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1-tablespoon olive oil in a saute pan. Lightly flour the cod with the instant flour. Place the fish in the pan and add 1-tablespoon butter. Cook for 3 minutes and then turn over. Place the pan in a 400-degree F oven for 2 minutes to finish cooking the fish. Salt and pepper, to taste.
• Place a small mound of the polenta in the center of the plate. Place the cod directly on top of the polenta. Spread some of the mushrooms around the fish and drizzle the olive oil and balsamic vinegar around the edge of the plate.

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.

Steps:

• To begin to prepare the sauce, in a small bowl combine the dried porcini and hot water and let stand for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove the porcini and squeeze out excess water. Using scissors, cut them into pieces about the size of your thumbnail. Set aside. Strain the mushroom liquor through a paper towel or a fine sieve; reserve. Lightly oil an 8-by-11-inch baking pan and set it aside. Lightly oil two large pastry boards or baking sheets, or a very large scratchproof counter surface. Make the polenta and when it is cooked, turn it directly out onto the boards, counter, or baking sheets. Use a large knife or rubber spatula, first dipped in cold water, to spread out the polenta to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Allow it to cool and harden, about 20 minutes. Cut it into approximate 3-inch squares.
• Meanwhile, preheat an oven to 400 degrees F. Continue to make the sauce. Using a soft brush or clean kitchen towel, remove any dirt from the fresh mushrooms. Don't wash them because water will alter their texture. Separate the stems from the caps, discarding the stems if they are tough. Slice the mushroom caps and tender stems thinly. In a skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter with the oil. Add the onion and saute until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the porcini and saute for another 5 or 6 minutes to marry the flavors. Add the cultivated mushrooms and continue to saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the mushroom soaking liquid, salt, and pepper. Allow to simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then stir in the cream, and allow the mixture barely to reach a simmer. Immediately remove the skillet from the heat.
• Place half of the polenta squares in a layer on the bottom of the prepared dish. Spread half of the sauce in a layer over them, then sprinkle with half of the cheeses. Place another layer of polenta squares over the cheeses. Spoon the remaining sauce on top and sprinkle with the remaining cheeses. Place on the middle rack of the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and golden and the pasticcio is bubbling, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let settle for 10 minutes before cutting into squares. Serve hot.

Steps:

• Polenta:
• 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.
• Sauce:
• 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.

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.