Description
This creamy polenta with mushrooms recipe offers a comforting and flavorful dish featuring smooth, tender polenta topped with savory shiitake mushrooms sautéed in butter and white wine. Perfect for a hearty vegetarian meal, it’s simple to prepare with a rich, creamy texture balanced by the earthy mushrooms and fresh parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Polenta
- 4 1/2 cups water
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups polenta
- 1/4 cup vegan or regular butter
- 1/2 cup vegan or regular parmesan
Mushrooms
- 20 oz sliced shiitake mushrooms (or a mix of wild mushrooms)
- 1/4 cup vegan butter
- 1/2 cup dry white wine, divided
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional garnishes
- Fresh parsley
- Parmesan
- Salt & pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the polenta: Bring water and salt to a boil in a pot. While whisking continuously, slowly pour in the polenta to prevent lumps from forming. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring every few minutes and scraping down the sides, for at least 30 minutes until the polenta is tender and creamy.
- Finish the polenta: Stir the butter and parmesan cheese into the cooked polenta. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Keep warm while preparing the mushrooms.
- Cook the mushrooms: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook dry for a few minutes to release moisture if desired, though this can be skipped for shiitake mushrooms. Add the butter and half of the white wine, allowing the mixture to simmer.
- Simmer and deglaze mushrooms: Season the mushrooms with salt and continue to cook until they start to crisp. Pour in the remaining white wine to deglaze the pan, allowing the liquid to evaporate. Remove from heat and stir in fresh parsley, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy polenta into bowls and top with the sautéed mushrooms. Garnish with additional parsley, parmesan, salt, and pepper as desired. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use vegan alternatives for butter and parmesan if you prefer a dairy-free version.
- Shiitake mushrooms work particularly well, but feel free to use a mix of wild mushrooms for varied flavor.
- Stirring often during polenta cooking is important to prevent sticking and clumping.
- Adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
- This dish pairs well with a light green salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
