Polenta with wild mushroom sauce

6 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1⅓cupYellow cornmeal
½teaspoonSalt
4cupsWater
Vegetable cooking spray
1tablespoonOlive oil
2Garlic cloves, minced
2Thyme sprigs
1Rosemary sprig
cupThinly sliced shiitake mushroom caps (1 pound mushrooms)
1cupCanned crushed tomatoes
cupDry white wine
3tablespoonsBalsamic vinegar
teaspoonSalt
teaspoonPepper
2tablespoonsChopped fresh parsley
3tablespoonsFresh grated Parmesan cheese, (3/4 ounce)
Thyme sprigs, (optional)

Directions

Place the cornmeal and ½ teaspoon salt in a large saucepan. Gradually add water, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to medium. Cook 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Spoon the polenta into an 8-½ x 4-½-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray, spreading evenly. Press heavy-duty plastic wrap onto surface of polenta, and chill 2 hours or until firm.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, thyme sprigs, and rosemary sprig; cook 3 minutes or just until garlic begins to brown. Stir in mushrooms and next 5 ingredients (mushrooms through pepper); bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard the thyme and rosemary sprigs. Add parsley; cook, uncovered, 5 minutes. Remove from heat; set aside, and keep warm.

Invert polenta onto a cutting board; cut crosswise into 12 slices. Place slices on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Broil 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Arrange 2 polenta slices on each of 6 individual serving plates. Top each with about ⅓ cup of mushroom sauce and 1-½ teaspoons of Parmesan cheese. Yield: 6 servings.

Per serving: 188 Calories; 4g Fat (20% calories from fat); 6g Protein; 31g Carbohydrate; 2mg Cholesterol; 345mg Sodium Serving Ideas : Garnish with thyme sprigs, if desired.

NOTES : Don't limit yourself to this Wild Mushroom Sauce: Polenta can be served with other hearty sauces, too.

Recipe by: Cooking Light, May 1995, page 84 Posted to MC-Recipe Digest V1 #410 by igor@... on Jan 28, 1997.