Parmesan Polenta with Rosemary Mushroom Sauce

I've been wanting to recreate this appetizer from Bar Toto, my favorite restaurant in Brooklyn. It's been quite a while so I'm not sure if it's similar but it was just as delicious as I remembered.


Cook polenta according to package instructions (mine indicated a polenta to liquid ratio of 1:3) and pimp as necessary. Here's how I did it:

• 3/4 c. polenta
• 3/4 c. water
• 3/4 c. milk
• 3/4 c. vegetable stock
• 1/4 c. shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 t. fresh thyme, chopped
• salt & pepper to taste

Saute garlic and thyme in olive oil until garlic is slightly browned. In a seperate pot, bring water, milk, and stock (or any combination of liquid you prefer) to a boil, add polenta and remove from heat. Whisk constantly until smooth. Add in olive oil mixture, cheese, and s&p. Immediately pour into a 9x9 inch glass plan, allow to cool and refrigerate until set. When ready to serve, cut into slices for serving. Coat a pan with cooking spray and cook polenta over medium heat, about 5 minutes on each side.

Rosemary Mushroom Sauce


I stumbled upon a box full of humble white mushrooms at my neighborhood verduleria and aspired to turn them into something spectacular. And so I did...

• 250 g. (1/2 lb) mushrooms, chopped
• 1-2 T. olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
  
• 1 large clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1 tsp. fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1/2 c. white wine
• 1/2 c. vegetable stock
• 1/4 tsp. cornstarch dissolved into 2 T. water
  
• salt & pepper to taste

Saute onions and garlic in olive oil until softened, 7-10 minutes. Add mushrooms and rosemary, stir every few minutes but allow these to slightly brown (add a touch of olive oil if needed), about 7 minutes.


Add wine, stock, and s&p, simmer on low. After about 10 minutes, the sauce will reduce some, add cornstarch if desired. Allow most of the liquid to cook out. Serve on top of polenta slices.