Polenta with Three Scoops of Cheese and Sautéed Shiitakes

• FAST
• VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

1. 4 1/2 cups water, more if needed
2. Salt
3. 1 1/3 cups coarse or medium cornmeal
4. 5 tablespoons olive oil
5. 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan
6. 1 cup whole-milk ricotta
7. 1 cup mascarpone cheese
8. 1 tablespoon butter
9. 1 pound shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps cut into 3/4-inch slices
10. 2 cloves garlic, minced
11. 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12. 1/8 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper

1. In a medium saucepan, bring the water and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil. Add the cornmeal in a slow stream, whisking constantly. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of the oil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until the polenta is thick, about 20 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan. Remove from the heat but cover to keep warm.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta, mascarpone, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Put in the refrigerator.
3. In a large frying pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil with the butter over moderately high heat. Add the mushrooms, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, until the mushrooms are golden, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the parsley and pepper.
4. Stir the polenta. It should be thick but still pourable. If it's too thick, stir in more water. You may need as much as a cup. Using a large spoon or a medium ice-cream scoop, put three mounds of the cheese mixture onto each of four plates. Ladle the hot polenta over the mounds of cheese and top with the mushrooms.