Description
This hearty and flavorful dish pairs creamy polenta with earthy, garlicky sautéed mushrooms. It’s an elegant yet rustic side dish, perfect for your Thanksgiving table or any cozy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Polenta:
- 1 cup cornmeal (coarse or medium grind)
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons butter
For the Mushrooms:
- 1 pound mushrooms, sliced (e.g., cremini, button, or a mix)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
Instructions
- Cook the Polenta:
In a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Once the broth is incorporated, reduce the heat to low and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently until the polenta thickens and becomes creamy. - Finish the Polenta:
Stir in the Parmesan cheese and butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep the polenta warm while you prepare the mushrooms. - Sauté the Mushrooms:
Heat the olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and tender, about 5–7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute, allowing the garlic to become fragrant. Season with salt and pepper to taste. - Assemble and Serve:
Spoon the creamy polenta onto plates or a serving dish. Top with the sautéed mushrooms and their juices. Optionally, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for added flavor.
Notes
- You can use a variety of mushrooms for this dish, such as cremini, shiitake, or even wild mushrooms, depending on what you have available.
- If you prefer a dairy-free version, substitute the Parmesan with nutritional yeast and use vegan butter.
- The polenta can be made ahead of time and reheated with a splash of vegetable broth to keep it creamy.
- If you like a richer texture, you can stir in some cream or mascarpone cheese into the polenta along with the Parmesan.
- For extra flavor, try adding a drizzle of truffle oil to the mushrooms after cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 20mg