Herb Infused Polenta With Mushroom Ragout - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Polenta
1 liter milk
1/2 onion
3 sprigs fresh thyme
1 sprig fresh rosemary
2 bay leaves
4 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
110 g polenta
60 g parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 tablespoon butter
salt and pepper
Mushroom ragout
500 g mixed mushrooms, sliced
1/2 - 1 cup chopped fresh herb, try rosemary, mint, thyme, chervil, sage etc
butter or oil
salt and pepper
verjuice (optional)

Preparation

Place the milk, onion, herbs and garlic in a saucepan and slowly bring almost to the boil. Place the polenta in a large, heavy based saucepan, strain the infused milk onto the polenta, and whisk until blended.
Stir constantly over moderate heat until the mixture returns to the boil. Reduce heat to very low (use a simmer mat if you have one) and cook, stirring frequently, for 20-30 minutes or until polenta is cooked and thickened.
Fold in parmesan and butter and season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately with the ragout.
Ragout:
Heat the oil or butter in a large frypan or wok, and add the mushrooms (and rosemary, if using).
Stir until begining to brown, then add the remaining herbs. Continue to fry until mushrooms are wilting and browned, then season with salt and pepper and serve with the polenta. If you have verjuice, you can use it to deglaze the pan and then drizzle the juices over before serving.