Polenta squares with wild mushrooms and Fontina is a delectable vegetarian dish that combines the hearty flavors of polenta with the earthy essence of wild mushrooms and the rich, nutty taste of Fontina cheese. This dish is perfect for a comforting meal on a chilly evening or as a side dish for a special occasion dinner. The polenta squares are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, while the wild mushrooms and Fontina cheese add a savory and umami flavor. This article also includes recipes for a variety of other polenta dishes, such as polenta with roasted vegetables, polenta with sausage and kale, and polenta with pesto and grilled chicken. Whether you're looking for a hearty main course or a delicious side dish, you're sure to find a polenta recipe in this article that will satisfy your taste buds.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
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.
POLENTA WITH MUSHROOMS AND FONTINA
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
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
SAUTEED WILD MUSHROOMS OVER CREAMY CHEESY POLENTA
Provided by Food Network
Time 1h50m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 32
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.
ROASTED POLENTA WITH FONTINA AND WILD MUSHROOMS
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.
POLENTA SQUARES WITH MUSHROOM RAGU
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories appetizer
Time 40m
Yield 36 bite-size hors d'oeuvres
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Bring the water, 1 tablespoon butter, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a heavy medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in the polenta. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir constantly until the polenta thickens, about 5 minutes. Pour the polenta into a greased 9 by 9-inch baking pan, spreading so that it is 1/3-inch thick. Cover and let stand at room temperature until set, about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and onion. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper and saute until the juices evaporate, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until the mushrooms are golden brown, about 2 minutes longer. Decrease the heat to medium-low. Add the Marsala. Cover and simmer until the Marsala has reduced by about half, about 5 minutes. Stir the flour and remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl to form a paste, then stir the paste into the mushroom mixture. Cover and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir the parsley into the ragu. Season the ragu, to taste, with more salt and pepper.
- Cut the polenta into 36 bite-size squares. Arrange the polenta squares on a platter. Spoon the warm ragu atop the polenta and serve immediately.
POLENTA WITH FONTINA AND MUSHROOMS
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.
FRIED POLENTA SQUARES WITH CREAMY MUSHROOM RAGU
You won't be able to resist this hearty, heart-warming side dish from Beth Kirby of Local Milk.
Provided by Reynolds Kitchens(R)
Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips Reynolds®
Time 3h45m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Whisk in the polenta. Once it begins to thicken, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes until creamy and thick, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Stir in the Parmesan and a 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Stir until melted and cheese is no longer visible. Remove from heat.
- Line an 8x11 inch baking dish with Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil and carefully pour the polenta into the baking dish, using a spatula to smooth it to an even thickness, about 3/4 inch. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours and up to two days until firm.
- While the polenta chills, make your ragu. In a large heavy skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and garlic and saute until fragrant and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir often to prevent browning. Add mushrooms and thyme and cook over medium-high heat until the mushrooms start to release their liquid. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and continue to cook another 5 minutes until they begin to soften more.
- Add flour, stirring, until it is no longer visible, about 1 minute. Add in the wine, cream and sugar, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Taste and adjust salt if desired. Simmer until thick and creamy and the mushrooms are nicely coated, about 15 minutes. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and 1/2 cup minced parsley. Set aside and cover to keep warm.
- Slice your polenta into squares -- whatever size you desire. Wipe down your skillet, coat it with nonstick cooking spray, and heat it over medium-high. Fry the squares in the pan until golden brown and warmed through. To serve, top the squares with warm mushroom ragu.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 447.8 calories, Carbohydrate 46.9 g, Cholesterol 32.5 mg, Fat 19 g, Fiber 7.1 g, Protein 19 g, SaturatedFat 7.2 g, Sodium 948.9 mg, Sugar 6.2 g
CREAMY POLENTA WITH MUSHROOMS
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
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
Tips:
- Use good quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the final dish.
- Don't overcook the polenta: It should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it.
- Let the polenta cool slightly before slicing: This will help it to hold its shape better.
- Use a variety of mushrooms: This will add depth of flavor to the dish.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different cheeses: Fontina is a classic choice, but you could also use Parmesan, Asiago, or Gruyère.
- Serve the polenta squares warm: They are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven.
Conclusion:
Polenta squares with wild mushrooms and fontina are a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. They are easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With a little creativity, you can create a dish that is both satisfying and memorable.
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