Mushroom Ragout with Polenta

Mushroom Ragout with Polenta

Recipe by William Colsher

Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients

For the Mushroom Ragout


• 1 lb. Assorted Mushrooms
• 1/4 cup Diced Onion
• 4 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 clove Garlic, minced
• 2 Tbs Chopped Parsley
• 1 Tbs Chopped Thyme
• 1/4 cup Dry Marsala
• 1 cup Beef or Vegetable Stock
• 1/2 cup Cream
• 1 Tbs Julienne Basil

For the Polenta


• 2 Cups Water
• 1/2 Cup Corn Meal
• 1/2 Cup Grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Cooking Directions

Make the Mushroom Ragout






1. Clean the mushrooms carefully. Feel free to rinse them in running water. (Alton Brown dispelled the myth of the "mushroom sponge" years ago.)





2. Halve or quarter large button or Cremini mushrooms, de-stem and slice Shiitakes, roughly chop oyster mushrooms. The pieces should be fairly uniform and about twice as big as you want then to be in the final ragout.
3. Heat the olive oil in a pan large enough to hold the mushrooms in one batch.
4. Saute the onions until they become translucent.





Reduce! Reduce! Reduce!



5. Add the mushrooms to the onion mixture, salt lightly and saute over medium heat until the mushroom liquid has reduced to a syrup.
6. Lower the heat and add the garlic. Saute about a minute, until the garlic is fragrant.
7. Add the parsley and thyme and saute another minute, mixing well.
8. Add the Marsala, deglaze, and reduce to a syrup again.
9. Raise the heat and add the stock. Simmer until reduced by half.





10. Add the cream and continue to simmer until the mixture coats the back of a spoon.
11. Set the mushroom ragout aside off heat, covered.

Make the Polenta


12. In a medium saucepan whisk the corn meal into the water or stock and bring it to a boil over high heat, whisking continuously, until it begins to thicken.
13. Reduce the heat to low and cook for another 10-15 minutes, whisking occasionally, until the corn meal is fully cooked and creamy.
14. Stir in the Parmigiano.
15. Taste the mushroom ragout and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
16. Divide the polenta between two bowls, top with the mushroom ragout, sprinkle on the basil and serve immediately.

Notes:

I tend to prefer using beef stock to accentuate the meaty flavor of the mushrooms. Nevertheless, this recipe can easily be a very filling Meatless Monday main course by using vegetable stock. In that case I'd suggest heating the stock and adding half an ounce of dried Porcini mushrooms to it 15 minutes before starting. Then lift out the Porcinis, strain the stock, and add both in step 9.

Vacation Guy Part 4: Steak And Polenta

Steak And Polenta

Recipe by Bill C

Beth and Frances are still in Las Vegas. While I was sweating in the yard pulling weeds and mowing the lawn they were enjoying a spa day complete with massages, facials, body scrubs, and champagne at the Hard Rock Hotel's Reliquary Spa.

So I decided to restore the balance of my precious bodily fluids with one of the most savory and simple steak recipes I know.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Flat Iron Steak
• 1/2 Cup Corn Meal
• 1.75 Cup Water or Chicken Broth
• 1/4 Cup Grated Parmigiano Reggiano
• 1 Tbs Butter
• Salt and Pepper

Cooking Directions

1. Let the steak come up to room temperature. From my 'fridge this took almost an hour.This is extremely important - it's what lets you make a succulent rare steak in six minutes.

2. Pat the steak dry and gently score both sides to help reduce twisting and shrinkage during cooking. That picture shows scoring that's a little too deep.
3. Lightly season the steak with salt and pepper. Use less salt if you're using chicken broth instead of water for the polenta.
4. Lightly oil a grill pan and heat on medium high until smoking.

5. Carefully place the steak in the grill pan and cook for three minutes, turn and cook another three minutes.
6. Remove the steak to a plate and tent with aluminum foil.
7. Make the polenta: Place the water in a small saucepan and add the cornmeal in a stream, whisking. Ensure there are no lumps.
8. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, reduce the heat and whisk frequently to check it's progress and prevent sticking.

9. When the polenta reaches the "blopping" stage, add the Parmigiano and butter and whisk to combine. Taste and correct seasoning.
10. Take the polenta off heat and cover.

11. Place the steak on a cutting board and slice as thin as possible at an acute angle. 
12. Divide the polenta between two serving dishes and place half the steak on each. Or, if you're cooking for one like me, just pop the second serving in an airtight container for tomorrow's lunch.
13. Drizzle the juices from the plate and cutting board over the meat and polenta and serve immediately.