Fish With Polenta And Mushrooms Merluzzo Con Polenta E Funghi Recipes

COD WITH MUSHROOMS, GARLIC & VERMOUTH

Steps:

• To reconstitute the porcini mushrooms: Soak the mushrooms in 1 1/2 cups of warm broth for about 30 minutes. Remove the mushrooms with a slotted spoon and set aside. Pour the liquid through a coffee filter, reserving flavorful liquid. Gently rinse the mushrooms under cold water and pat dry. I used the reserved liquid for the quinoa but you may add it to any recipe to achieve an intense mushroom flavor.
• In a heavy 12-inch skillet, melt 3 Tbs. of the butter over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring only occasionally, until well browned, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until golden and fragrant, about 45 seconds.
• Add the vermouth, 3 Tbs. of the parsley or the white lower part of the green onions, the vinegar, salt, and pepper and boil until the liquid is reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat, add the seasoned cod to the pan ( tuck under the tails if necessary to even out the thickness), scrunch the fillets into the mushrooms then spoon some of the mushrooms and sauce on top.
• Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, cover the pan, reduce to medium low, and simmer until just cooked through. Use a pairing knife to check the inside of the fish -- it should just not look raw. This should take about 7 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness.
• With a slotted spatula, transfer the fish to a serving platter.
• Over low heat, whisk the remaining 1 Tbs. butter into the sauce. Spoon the sauce over the dish and serve sprinkling the remaining 1/2 Tbs. parsley or the green onions over it.

POLENTA AI FUNGHI PORCINI

Steps:

• Bring the water and salt to a boil in a large heavy stockpot. Let it boil for 2 minutes, then remove the pot from heat and add polenta flour by the handful, beating constantly. Continue to add the flour slowly, controlling the flow to a thin stream through your fingers to avoid lumps. Return the pot to the stove and bring to low simmer. Continue cooking for about 40 minutes, stirring constantly. Polenta will be done when it cleanly pulls away from the sides of the pot. Stir in the butter, heavy cream and cheese. Once combined, carefully pour the polenta onto a large sheet pan (12 by 18-inch). Spread it out evenly and let it cool completely until firm to the touch, about 1 1/2 hours.
• In a large saute pan over high heat, add the butter, chopped garlic, porcini mushrooms, and salt and pepper, to taste. Cook without stirring until the water from the mushrooms has been released and has evaporated. Add the Marsala wine, and parsley and begin stirring with a wooden spoon. Once the ingredients are incorporated, add the cream, reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking until the cream is reduced by half and has a thick consistency. Remove from the heat and keep covered. Set aside.
• Heat the canola oil over high heat in a large deep pot or a deep-fryer. Meanwhile, slice the cooled polenta into desired size and shape. Once the oil has reached frying temperature, add the polenta, in batches, and deep-fry until golden brown.
• Arrange the polenta on serving plates and spoon the desired amount of sauce over the top. Garnish with the shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano and serve immediately.

BARELY COOKED SALMON WITH PARMESAN POLENTA AND MUSHROOM CONSOMMé

Steps:

• Place the button mushrooms in a pan, cover with 8 cups of the water, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 3 hours.
• Strain the stock through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing on the mushrooms to release the liquid. You should have at least 2 cups mushroom stock. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour into a saucepan and set aside. (The stock can be made in advance and refrigerated for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to a month.)
• Trim the gyromitre or morel mushrooms, discarding the stems, and halve them. Because these mushrooms can be particularly sandy, soak them in cold water to remove any dirt. Lift out of the water, rinse, and repeat two more times.
• Heat the canola oil in a large sauté pan over high heat. Add the mushrooms, shallots, and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until the mushrooms are tender and have given up their liquid, but are not dry, 10 to 15 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons of the butter and the parsley and toss to incorporate. Set the pan aside.
• Bring the milk, the remaining 2 cups water, and 4 tablespoons of the butter to a boil in a medium saucepan. Lower the heat to a simmer. Whisking constantly, slowly add the polenta, continuing to whisk until the polenta is completely incorporated. Cook for 5 minutes. The polenta will be very thin. Add the Parmesan and stir to incorporate. Set the pan aside.
• Cut the salmon crosswise into 1-inch slices. Pull the ends of each side together, as if you were closing a book, and secure with a toothpick. In a flameproof shallow casserole large enough to accommodate all the salmon fillets, bring 1/4 inch of generously salted water to a simmer. Season each fillet on both sides with salt and pepper and add to the casserole. Gently poach for 3 to 5 minutes, until the salmon is warm to the touch on top, but still quite rare on top and inside.
• Meanwhile, gently reheat the mushroom broth, the wild mushrooms, and polenta. If the mushrooms are dry, add another tablespoon of butter and a bit of water to moisten.
• To serve, spoon a circle of polenta into the center of each plate. Spoon 1/4 cup of the mushroom broth around each polenta circle. Place 2 salmon fillets on each bed of polenta and spoon the mushrooms over the salmon. Serve immediately.