RECIPE

Polenta with Mushroom-Roquefort Sauce

• Recipe by Ruth Van Waerebeek-Gonzalez

You can use sturdy wild or cultivated mushrooms in place of the white ones for the decadent blue cheese and wine sauce that tops the polenta. Alternative mushrooms include creminis, portobellos, shiitakes and chanterelles.

• Fast
• Make-Ahead
• Staff Favorite

Ingredients

1. 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2. 3/4 pound small white mushrooms, quartered
3. 1 shallot, minced
4. Salt and freshly ground pepper
5. 1/2 cup dry white wine
6. 3/4 cup heavy cream
7. 1/2 cup crumbled Roquefort cheese (about 2 ounces)
8. 1/4 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
9. 2 cups milk
10. 2 cups water
11. 1 cup instant polenta
12. 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley 

Directions

1. Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of the butter in a large, deep skillet. Add the mushroom quarters and minced shallot, season with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms are softened and golden, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until reduced to 2 tablespoons, about 5 minutes. Add the cream, Roquefort and rosemary and simmer over moderately low heat until slightly thickened, about 7 minutes. Season the mushroom sauce with salt and pepper and keep warm.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine the milk with the water, the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter and 1 teaspoon of salt and bring to a gentle boil. Add the polenta in a thin stream, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to moderate and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the polenta is tender and pulls away from the side of the pan, about 10 minutes.
3. Spoon the polenta into deep bowls and spoon the mushroom sauce on top. Sprinkle with the parsley and serve immediately.

Make Ahead

The mushroom sauce can be refrigerated overnight. Rewarm before serving, adding a little water if necessary.