Best 12 Polenta Bites With Wild Mushrooms And Fontina Recipes

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**Polenta Bites with Wild Mushrooms and Fontina: A Savory Treat for Any Occasion**

Indulge in the delectable flavors of polenta bites, a delightful appetizer or side dish that combines the rustic charm of polenta with the earthy goodness of wild mushrooms and the rich, nutty flavor of fontina cheese. These bite-sized morsels are a perfect blend of textures, with a crispy outer layer and a soft, creamy interior. Each bite offers a burst of umami from the mushrooms, a hint of sweetness from the cornmeal, and a satisfyingly gooey center. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply craving a comforting snack, these polenta bites are sure to impress with their ease of preparation and unforgettable taste. Explore the detailed recipes within this article to discover how to make these delightful polenta bites, along with variations that include sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and a variety of herbs and spices.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

POLENTA SQUARES WITH WILD MUSHROOMS AND FONTINA



Polenta Squares with Wild Mushrooms and Fontina image

A mix of mushrooms gives the best range of textures and earthy flavors, and the assortment also looks more interesting than just one variety of mushroom would. Once the polenta is cold and set, it can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to three days. This recipe is adapted from Martha Stewart's Appetizers.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Appetizers

Time 3h20m

Yield Makes 24

Number Of Ingredients 7

Coarse salt
1 1/2 cups coarse-ground polenta
8 ounces mixed mushrooms, such as cremini, oyster, chanterelle, and hen-of-the-woods, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 shallot, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon packed fresh thyme leaves
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
1 1/2 cups shredded Italian fontina

Steps:

  • Bring 4 1/2 cups water to a boil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot; season with salt. Bring another 4 cups water to a simmer in a small saucepan. Gradually add polenta to large pot, whisking constantly until combined. Reduce heat until only one or two large bubbles break surface at a time, adjusting heat as necessary.
  • Whisk 2 ladlefuls of simmering water into polenta and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until water has been absorbed, about 5 minutes. Continue to add 2 ladlefuls of simmering water every 5 minutes, stirring often and waiting for it to be absorbed before adding more, until polenta is creamy and just pulls away from sides of pot, about 45 minutes. (Adjust heat as necessary.)
  • Pour polenta into a slightly damp 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Let stand until no longer steaming, about 10 minutes. Refrigerate, uncovered, until cold and set, about 1 1/2 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a bowl, toss together mushrooms, shallot, thyme, and oil; season with salt.
  • Turn out polenta onto a cutting board. Cut into 24 pieces, and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet brushed with oil. Dividing evenly, brush tops with oil, then sprinkle with cheese and top with mushroom mixture. Roast until polenta is crisp on bottom, cheese is melted, and mushrooms are wilted and golden brown, about 25 minutes. Serve immediately.

POLENTA WITH FONTINA AND MUSHROOMS



Polenta with Fontina and Mushrooms image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 0

Steps:

  • Bring 3 3/4 cups water, 1/4 cup heavy cream and 1 teaspoon kosher salt to a boil; whisk in 3/4 cup instant polenta. Reduce the heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, until creamy, 10 minutes. Stir in 1 cup grated fontina. Saute 12 ounces sliced mixed mushrooms and 2 teaspoons chopped rosemary in butter until tender, 6 minutes; stir in 1¿4 cup heavy cream and season with salt and pepper. Cook until thickened; toss with chopped parsley. Serve over the polenta.

ROASTED POLENTA WITH FONTINA AND WILD MUSHROOMS



Roasted Polenta with Fontina and Wild Mushrooms image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking

Number Of Ingredients 7

Polenta
Olive oil
Shredded fontina
Sliced wild mushrooms
Thinly sliced shallot
Fresh thyme leaves
Salt

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut cold polenta into squares, transfer to a baking sheet, and brush tops with oil; sprinkle with fontina. Toss mushrooms with shallot, thyme, oil, and salt. Top each square with mushroom mixture. Roast until polenta is crisp on bottom and mushrooms are wilted and golden brown.

CREAMY POLENTA WITH MUSHROOMS



Creamy Polenta With Mushrooms image

Who knows who first mixed soy sauce and butter and discovered the pleasures the combination provides. Try the mixture on warm white rice, a steaming pile of greens or an old sneaker - regardless, the taste is a sublime velvet of sweet and salty, along with a kind of pop we call umami, a fifth taste beyond sweet, sour, bitter and salty. Soy butter provides warmth and luxury, elegance without pomp. For this recipe, we've adapted a dish that was on the menu at the chef Chris Jaeckle's All'onda, in Manhattan: a mixture of soy and butter with mushroom stock to pour over polenta and sautéed mushrooms. The result is a dinner of comfort and joy.

Provided by Sam Sifton

Categories     weekday, appetizer, main course, side dish

Time 1h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 cups minus 3 tablespoons whole milk
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 3/4 cups polenta or cornmeal
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, or to taste
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan, or to taste
1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pats, divided
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
8 ounces fresh mushrooms, wild or cultivated, sliced thin
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon heavy cream
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper

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.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 382, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 40 grams, Fat 22 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 6 grams, SaturatedFat 12 grams, Sodium 286 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 1 gram

POLENTA WITH WILD MUSHROOMS AND LOCATELLI FONDUE



Polenta with Wild Mushrooms and Locatelli Fondue image

Provided by Food Network

Time 4h20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 28

1 cup chicken broth
1 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic
2 tablespoons butter, salted
3/4 cup cornmeal (regular)
2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomato (in oil, drained)
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
Wild Mushroom Saute, recipe follows
Locatelli Fondue, recipe follows
Chopped chives, for garnish
White truffle, sliced thin, for garnish
2 tablespoons butter
1 to 2 shallots, chopped finely
2 garlic cloves, chopped finely
8 medium button mushrooms, sliced thinly
5 medium shiitake mushrooms, sliced thinly
Handful small oyster mushrooms, sliced thinly
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 shallot, chopped finely
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup white wine (Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio)
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons roux (flour-butter mixture)
1/4 cup grated Locatelli or other Pecorino Romano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
White truffle oil, optional

Steps:

  • Bring broth, milk, garlic, and butter to a boil in a thick bottomed pot. Reduce heat to a simmer and whisk in cornmeal, cooking while stirring with wooden spoon for about ten minutes. As it thickens reduce heat and add sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan. Remove from heat and add basil. Quickly spread on a cookie sheet to 1/3-inch thickness and refrigerate. Polenta should remain in refrigeration at least 1 hour, or as long as 3 days prior to final preparation. (Once cool, it should be covered for safe storage.) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Remove polenta from the refrigerator and cut out rounds with cookie cutter about 1 1/2-inches. Saute polenta rounds in nonstick pan until brown on both sides. Remove from heat. Lay polenta rounds on cookie sheet and top with Wild Mushroom Saute. Bake for 5 minutes, (heat fondue in saucepot or microwave and stir in truffle oil if desired) Drizzle with Locatelli Fondue. Garnish with chives and white truffle slice.
  • Heat saute pan and add butter, shallot and garlic, cook 1 minute and add mushrooms, salt and pepper. Continue cooking about 2 minutes, remove from heat, and allow to cool. White mushrooms can be used if others are not available.
  • Saute shallot in butter in heavy bottomed pot for 1 minute, add white wine, and reduce by half. Add chicken broth and cream and simmer on medium heat for 5 minutes, (too high a heat, will result in a boil over mess!!!) Add roux, whisking constantly so not to lump. As sauce thickens reduce heat and simmer 5 more minutes. Remove sauce from heat and stir in the Locatelli until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Fold in white truffle oil, if desired. Put Fondue in squeeze bottle or resealable plastic bag with corner cut off, for easy drizzling.

SAUTEED WILD MUSHROOMS OVER CREAMY CHEESY POLENTA



Sauteed Wild Mushrooms over Creamy Cheesy Polenta image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h50m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 32

3 tablespoons olive oil
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon chopped shallots
1 cup shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and cut in 1/2
1 cup oyster mushrooms cut in 1/2
1/2 cup white wine
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1/3 cup chopped parsley leaves, for garnish
4 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
32 ounces chicken stock
1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
16 ounces instant polenta
1/2 pint heavy cream
1 cup grated fontina
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons minced chives, for garnish
1/4 cup orange liqueur (recommended Grand Marnier)
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 soy sauce
1/8 cup honey
3 tablespoons chili sauce
1/4 cup fresh chopped basil leaves
2 tablespoons minced ginger
2 tablespoons orange zest
1/8 cup minced chile peppers
1 1/2 pounds jumbo shrimp, with heads on (about 18 shrimp)
1/2 cup chopped scallions, for garnish

Steps:

  • Mushrooms:
  • Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high. When the olive oil is hot add 2 sprigs of rosemary and cook for 2 minutes. Remove the rosemary and add the shallots.
  • Cook the shallots until translucent, about 4 minutes, then add the mushrooms and saute until they release their liquid, about 8 minutes. Stir in the white wine bring to a simmer about 3 minutes.
  • Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper and simmer for 3 minutes. Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes. Transfer the mushrooms to a serving bowl and garnish with chopped parsley.
  • Polenta:
  • Heat the olive oil in saucepan over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot add the onions and saute for 5 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the chicken stock and bring to boil, then add the oregano and basil. Slowly pour in the polenta and stir constantly until the polenta thickens. Stir in the heavy cream and fontina and mix until you have a smooth and creamy texture. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the polenta to a serving dish and garnish with Parmesan and chives.
  • Shrimp:
  • Combine all of the marinade ingredients in a large bowl.
  • Devein the shrimp by cutting down the back with scissors and removing the vein. Leave the shrimp in the shell. Use your fingers to separate the shell from sides of the shrimp and add them to the marinade. Set aside to marinate for 1 hour. Set the grill temperature for medium-high and let it heat up. Put the shrimp on the grill and cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Reduce the remaining marinade on a side burner in a small pan. Remove the shrimp to a platter. Drizzle with the reduced marinade and garnish with scallions.

POLENTA BITES WITH CARAMELIZED MUSHROOMS



Polenta Bites with Caramelized Mushrooms image

Provided by Michael Chiarello : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 45m

Yield about 50 spoonfuls

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 cups heavy cream
2 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon finely ground sea salt, preferably gray salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1 cup polenta
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 pound button or cremini mushrooms, cut into quarters
Finely ground salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons finely chopped Italian parsley leaves

Steps:

  • Cook the polenta: In a medium, heavy pot over high heat bring the cream, stock, salt, and nutmeg to a boil. Add the polenta gradually, whisking constantly. When the mixture thickens, switch to a wooden spoon and adjust the heat to maintain a bare simmer. Cook, stirring often, until thick, smooth, and creamy, about 15 minutes. Add the Parmesan and stir. Keep the polenta warm over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the polenta gets dry as it sits, stir in about 1/4 cup of warm stock or cream.
  • Saute the mushrooms: In a medium skillet over high heat, heat the olive oil. When the oil is hot, sprinkle in the mushrooms in a single layer. Don't stir them! Let them sizzle until they have caramelized on the bottom, about 2 minutes. When the bottoms are caramelized, toss them once and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Continue to cook without stirring for about 5 minutes. Season mushrooms with salt and pepper. Add the butter and cook until it begins to brown, then add the garlic. Continue to cook until the garlic begins to brown. Add the thyme and cook for about 10 seconds. Add the lemon juice and cook until the liquid evaporates. Add the wine, and simmer until the mushrooms are glazed with the sauce. Add the parsley. Then stir and remove the pan from the heat.
  • Place or pipe about 1 tablespoon of warm polenta onto a spoon. Place about 1/2 teaspoon of the mushroom on top of the polenta. Garnish with grated Parmesan. Serve immediately.

POLENTA WITH WILD MUSHROOMS AND MARINARA SAUCE



Polenta With Wild Mushrooms and Marinara Sauce image

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

1 cup fine yellow or white polenta
3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, more to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, more to taste
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, more to taste and for garnish
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound wild mushrooms, like oysters or maitakes, cleaned and torn into small pieces if large
2 shallots, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary or sage
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 cup Simple Marinara Sauce (see recipe)

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 WILD MUSHROOMS



Polenta With Wild Mushrooms image

Provided by Marian Burros

Categories     dinner, easy, quick, weekday, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup quick-cooking polenta
4 cups low-sodium chicken stock or broth
1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound assorted cultivated wild mushrooms (portobello, cremini, shiitake, chanterelle, etc.), washed, trimmed and sliced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried

Steps:

  • Stir the polenta thoroughly into one cup of stock. Bring the rest of the stock to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and slowly add the polenta, stirring. Cook until mixture thickens, a couple of minutes. Stir in the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
  • Heat the oil in a nonstick pan until it is very hot. Reduce the heat to medium high, and saute the mushrooms with the thyme until the mushrooms release their juices and the juices begin to evaporate. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon the mushrooms over the top of the polenta, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 248, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 29 grams, Fat 9 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 13 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 663 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams

POLENTA BITES WITH BLUE CHEESE, TOMATOES, AND PINE NUTS



Polenta Bites with Blue Cheese, Tomatoes, and Pine Nuts image

Categories     Tomato     Bake     Blue Cheese     Pine Nut     Cornmeal     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 24

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 cups low-salt chicken broth
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 ounces soft blue cheese (such as Saga blue), cut into 24 cubes
3 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion
2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
12 grape tomatoes, quartered lengthwise
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil

Steps:

  • Lightly butter 24 mini muffin cups (each about 1 3/4 inches in diameter with 1/2-inch-high sides).
  • Bring broth to boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; gradually whisk in cornmeal. Cook until mixture is very thick, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan. Season with salt.
  • Spoon 1 1/2 tablespoons hot polenta into each muffin cup. Using back of spoon, pack polenta firmly into cups. Using finger, make indentation in center of each polenta tart for filling. Chill until cold and set, about 3 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; keep chilled.)
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheet with foil. Using tip of knife, lift polenta tarts from pan. Transfer tarts, indented side up, to prepared baking sheet. Place 1 blue cheese cube in each indentation. Sprinkle green onion and pine nuts over cheese. Top each tart with 2 tomato quarters. Bake until cheese is melted and polenta is warmed through, about 5 minutes. Transfer tarts to platter; sprinkle with basil and serve.

POLENTA BITES WITH WILD MUSHROOMS AND FONTINA RECIPE



Polenta Bites with Wild Mushrooms and Fontina Recipe image

Provided by á-726

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 pounds prepared polenta, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds (about 30 rounds)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
2 pounds assorted wild mushrooms (such as oyster, crimini, and/or stemmed shiitake), cut into thick slices
2 shallots, thinly sliced
1/4 cup Sherry vinegar
1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup chopped parsley leaves
4 ounces Fontina cheese, coarsely grated (about 1 cup)

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. *** I used gruyere.

POLENTA WITH MUSHROOMS AND FONTINA



Polenta With Mushrooms and Fontina image

Be sure the Polenta is very soft (almost pourable) when spreading it in the baking dish. If necessary, thin with a little hot water. It will firm up as it bakes. Serve with a green salad or as a side dish to roasted chicken or meat. This one is time consuming and done the old fashioned Italian way.

Provided by Jencathen

Categories     < 4 Hours

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup butter, unsalted
1 lb fresh mushrooms, brushed clean and cut into 1/4-inch slices
salt
freshly grated nutmeg
7 cups water
2 cups italian polenta
1/2 lb Fontina cheese, thinly sliced

Steps:

  • In a large sauté pan or frying pan over medium heat, melt 1/4 cup of the butter. When bubbly, add the mushrooms, raise the heat to medium high, and sauté, tossing often, until tender, about 5 minutes. Do not let brown. Season with salt and a little nutmeg and remove from the heat. Cover to keep warm.
  • Position a rack in the center of an oven and preheat to 425 degrees F . Butter a 2 1/2-qt. baking dish.
  • In a deep, heavy saucepan over high heat, bring the water to a rapid boil. Add 2 tsp salt and, while stirring continuously with a long-handled spoon, gradually add the polenta in a thin, steady stream until all has been incorporated. Continuing to stir constantly to keep lumps from forming, reduce the heat until the mixture only bubbles occasionally. Continue to cook, stirring, until smooth and creamy, about 20 minutes; be careful to scrape the bottom and sides of the pan to avoid sticking or lumping. Remove from the heat. Cut the remaining 1/4 cup butter into small cubes and add to the polenta, a few cubes at a time, stirring until melted after each addition. The polenta should be soft and spreadable.
  • Spread one-third of the polenta over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread half of the mushrooms in a layer on top, and then cover with a layer of half of the cheese slices. Repeat with half of the remaining polenta, than all of the remaining mushrooms and cheese. Top with the remaining polenta.
  • Place in the oven and bake until lightly browned, about 20 minutes.
  • Cut into squares and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 446.6, Fat 28.8, SaturatedFat 17.2, Cholesterol 84.5, Sodium 434.9, Carbohydrate 34.4, Fiber 3.7, Sugar 2.1, Protein 15.5

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, prep all of your ingredients. This means measuring, chopping, and slicing everything you'll need. This will help you stay organized and make the cooking process go more smoothly.
  • Use Good Quality Ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will have a big impact on the final dish. Use fresh, seasonal vegetables, and high-quality cheese and olive oil. Buy dried porcini that are of a high quality with whole, intact pieces.
  • Don't Overcrowd the Pan: When searing the mushrooms, don't overcrowd the pan. This will prevent them from cooking evenly. Cook them in batches if necessary.
  • Use a Non-Stick Skillet: A non-stick skillet will help prevent the polenta bites from sticking. If you don't have a non-stick skillet, you can grease a regular skillet with cooking spray or butter.
  • Don't Overcook the Polenta: When cooking the polenta, stir it constantly to prevent it from sticking to the pot. Cook it until it is thick and creamy, but not too thick. You should be able to pour it into the prepared baking dish.
  • Let the Polenta Cool: Before you cut the polenta into bites, let it cool slightly. This will make it easier to handle and cut.
  • Use a Sharp Knife: When cutting the polenta bites, use a sharp knife. This will help you get clean, even cuts.

Conclusion:

These polenta bites with wild mushrooms and fontina cheese are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or side dish. They are perfect for any occasion, from a casual get-together to a formal dinner party. With their crispy polenta crust, savory mushroom filling, and melted fontina cheese, these bites are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. They are also relatively inexpensive to make, and they can be made ahead of time, which makes them a great option for busy weeknights. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy appetizer or side dish, give these polenta bites a try!

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