This cheesy herb-y peppery polenta topped with a mouth-watering wild mushroom and thyme mixture is the ultimate vegetarian appetizer!
Who could ever imagine that food which is essentially mush could be so luscious and robust in flavor?
During our last evening in California we finally went out for an Italian meal. All week we ate fresh wonderfully nosh-y food but with the cross-country move; the energy needed to get Miss Chels settled; the time we took enjoying each other and the incredible California land & seascape (oh my), grazing throughout the days made sense. We had the best intentions of sitting for dinner, but when it came time – we were more exhausted than hungry – and our pillows appeared more appetizing than even a juicy steak.
Until our last night that is. We enjoyed a meal in the very urban very chic Cucina Enoteca.
In this dark and cozy space, filled with the best kind of chochkula, we dined on appetizers that included herb-ricotta stuffed fried squash blossoms and a polenta dish that literally made Lauren cry…steaming creamy mascarpone polenta dumped on a sturdy board then decorated with the most mouth-watering short rib ragu that this family has ever tasted. Perfection. And don’t get me started on our entrees.
So how could I not be inspired by a dish that made my ‘foodie-daughter’ cry? That dish was the inspiration for today’s recipe…Cheesy Polenta with Wild Mushrooms & Thyme.
I’ve switched up the flavor profile slightly as I wanted to duplicate the meatiness of the ragu without actually using meat. Mushrooms were the answer.
In my attempt to get just the right consistency for the polenta I had two pots going. The winning pot took less time to cook and had slightly more Romano than the other (shocker – I know). The mushroom topping includes some of my favorite ingredients…onions, garlic and olive oil – but truthfully – the magic literally happens when the salt and pepper are added. Don’t take these babies for granted – they elevate the flavor almost surprisingly so.
I began by making the mushroom topping, you can use any mushroom you prefer – portobello, shiitake, chanterelle or button…I went with the button this time. There are a couple steps involved, but what you’re left with is a topping so incredibly savory with its little crusty bits of mushroomy-oniony goodness, dotted with pops of fresh thyme, making for a flawless accompaniment to our cheesy herb-y peppery polenta.
This is an appetizer that hits all the right notes, however, if coupled with a salad, bread and a beautiful bottle of vino – I say you’ve got yourself a meal.
Buon Appetito!
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Cheesy Polenta with Wild Mushrooms & Thyme
- Category: Appetizer
Description
This cheesy herb-y peppery polenta topped with a mouth-watering wild mushroom and thyme mixture is the ultimate vegetarian appetizer!
Ingredients
- Mushroom Topping
- 1 Tbsp. butter
- 1/3 cup chopped sweet onion
- 1 plump clove garlic, minced
- 12 oz. button mushrooms
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme and more for garnish
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp. flour
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. black pepper
- Cheesy Polenta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 1 cup stone ground yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped Italan flat leaf parsley
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat melt butter.
- Cook the onion until softened, about two minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for another minute, stirring constantly.
- Add the mushrooms and olive oil.
- Cook for 8 – 10 minutes until mushrooms are tender and liquid is evaporated, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in chicken stock and fresh thyme.
- Cook and stir for 1 minute.
- In a small bowl combine heavy cream and flour; stir into the mushroom mixture.
- Cook for 1 – 2 minutes until thickened and bubbly.
- In a Dutch oven combine chicken stock and butter. Bring to a boil.
- Slowly add cornmeal to broth, whisking constantly.
- Cook and stir until mixture returns to boil.
- Reduce heat to low.
- Simmer gently for about 18 minutes until mixture is thick and creamy.
- Stir in cheese, parsley, salt and pepper.
- Pour polenta on serving platter, spreading evenly.
- Spoon mushroom topping onto polenta.
- Garnish with fresh thyme.
- Serve warm.
Ciao!
I love mushrooms and thyme together! Looks so good!
Thanks, Christin! It’s a great combination, isn’t it?! 🙂
Looks absolutely delicious! 🙂
Why thank you, Linda! 🙂
Awesome polene, Annie! Even though you didn’t put any lavender, it’s still delicious, haha. The combo of mushrooms and thyme? Yes, yes, yes!
Hahaha – maybe next time! Thanks so much, friend! 🙂
I don’t eat much meat, so this looks like a wonderful main course for me. Plus nothing satisfies when the weather gets cooler like a nice hearty serving of polenta.
Isn’t that true! Polenta is the perfect friend to cooler weather. Thanks for stopping by, Amanda.
This looks so great, Annie. Love the combination of earthy mushrooms and thyme and then that bed of cheesy polenta – yum. I would love this for dinner tonight! Just delicious. Glad you’ve got your daughter settled and had a good time out in sunny California – hope the heat wasn’t too bad for you – it’s been boiling in Los Angeles this last week.
Thank you, hon! This is a yummy one! We could not believe the heat but to wake up to blue skies everyday was such a treat! 🙂
I feel like I need to try polenta at least once in my life. It does look delicious though!
Oh yes! You must try it at least once! It’s a party on a plate! 🙂
A polenta dish that made your daughter cry it was so good?! wow! love that you re-created it here! looks fabulous!
Thanks, friend! Hahahah! Polenta moves us! 🙂
Oh Annie, I’ve missed your posts! This sounds absolutely devine! I wish I could do a face-plant into the monitor and scarf it up! And now I’m starving 😛 Hope you have a fantastic weekend my dear.
Awhh! Thanks so much, my friend! You are so sweet! 🙂
So happy to hear your home and Chels is settle in. What a bitter-sweet journey for you and your family. I love eating out and gaining loads of inspiration. Thank you for sharing this with us, Annie. I am thinking this is so luscious, I could eat this as a main course! Indeed, salt and pepper go a long way in adding so much to a dish. Absolutely love the flavors you’ve assembled for us. Delicious!
Thank you, dear. I am with you – some of my greatest inspiration is derived from eating out. So glad you like it!
This looks amazing! Pinned!
Grazie! 🙂
Hi Annie. Could please refrain from from such graphic descriptions of the amazing food you dine on in the future?
I mean, this site should be an “R” Rated food porn site.
To top it off, you throw this polenta in my face. GAAAAAHHH. It looks incredible! I must admit, I don’t make polenta much and clearly I need to change that asap. MUSH food is the best. Mashed potatoes, grits, bring it on!!
You crack me up, girlfriend! I will try to temper my enthusiasm but I make no guarantees – there’s just so much foody-goodness in the world – it must be shared! Awh- now you’ve gone and done it – you have me craving all the mush there is! Thanks, dear! 🙂
Hi Annie, love, love this dish, my mother-in-law makes something very close to this dish and it’s a family favorite.
Oh yes…this will become a staple – I’m sure! Thanks, friend!
Wow. I’ve never actually cooked polenta, even though it’s been on my to do list forever. These pics are going to move it right up in the priority list! You make such incredible meals, Annie!
Thanks for your sweetness, Mir. I appreciate it! 🙂
I love making polenta at home. So many possibilities. I’m absolutely loving your cheesy version with mushrooms, so hearty and warm. Loving all your pictures.
Hope you had a good break.
xx
This is true comfort food! Thanks, my dear… xo
this looks so creamy and yummy Annie!! I love polenta and mushrooms so I’m coming over! 😀
Fabulous! I’ll be waiting! 🙂
This polenta looks perfect! For some reason I never cook it right so I gave up! Love your recipe and might give it a try! Pinned!
Thanks, Mira! I think you’ll really enjoy it! Have a nice weekend, friend! 🙂
Polenta is one of those dishes that I love but almost never have. This version looks fantastic, Annie! I could eat mushrooms every day, so I’m loving the topping! Sounds delicious!
Thanks so much, friend! Polenta is definitely a favorite of ours! Have a great weekend, Gayle! 🙂
First of all- WELCOME BACK! I have missed you, my friend! However, I am so glad you had a lovely time in Cali and that your daughter is settled in nicely! Anyways, WOWZA! This is one heck of a come back dish! This is everything delicious in life! Rich, creamy, “meaty”, cheesy… this polenta absolutely screams my name! Just fantastic! I want to throw on some pjs (errrr change pjs? since i’m still in mine) and cozy up with a big ‘ole bowl of this! Pinned! Cheers, lovely lady and happy weekend!
Why thank you, dear! I missed you, too! We had a wonderful experience in California! Chels is all set and ready and I am one happy mama! I couldn’t help but put a polenta dish together..I was so inspired! Thanks for the pin, lovely! 🙂
Wow! I am in love with this creamy, cheesy and classic dish. This is so is full of awesome flavors and deliciousness!
Thank you, friend!
This looks so creamy and delicious! Mushrooms give it that great savory flavor. Pinning!
It’s so full of flavor! Thanks, Medha! 🙂