Broiled Polenta With Vegetables And Caramelized Shallots

By á-174942

Ingredients

• THE POLENTA:
• 3 1/2 cups vegetable stock (or water)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (less if your stock is salty)
• 1 teaspoon finely-chopped fresh rosemary (or 1/4 tspn dried rosemary, crumbled)
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil for brushing polenta
• THE VEGETABLES:
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 18 shallots peeled (separate small ones from large ones)
• 1 pinch sugar
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 12 shiitake mushrooms stems discarded, caps kept whole
• 2 red bell peppers cored, and cut into strips 2" by 1/2"
• 2 small zucchini halved lengthwise, and cut diagonally 1/4" thick
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• Salt to taste
• Freshly-ground black pepper to taste
• Rosemary sprigs for garnish

Details

Servings 6

Preparation

Step 1

To make the polenta, set aside a 10- by 10-inch shallow baking dish or other comparable dish.

Bring the vegetable stock, salt, and rosemary to a boil in a medium-size saucepan. Reduce the heat to a simmer, then gradually sprinkle in the cornmeal, whisking constantly with a wire whisk. Cook the polenta, whisking all the while, until it begins to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 7 minutes. Whisk in the butter, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese.

Scrape the polenta into the reserved baking dish and smooth over the top. Let cool for 10 minutes, then cover and chill for at least 1 hour, or until cold throughout. When you are ready to broil the polenta, cut it into 12 squares or diamonds. Lightly brush both sides of each piece with the olive oil, and place the polenta on a baking sheet. Set aside while you cook the vegetables.

To cook the vegetables, melt the butter in a medium-size skillet over medium heat. Add the largest of the shallots and cover the pan. Cook 5 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally. Add the smaller shallots, sprinkle on the sugar, then sprinkle on a few tablespoons of water. Lower the heat, cover the pan, and cook until caramelized and soft, about 25 minutes. Continue to shake the pan on occasion while the shallots are cooking.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the shiitake caps and saute until brown and juicy. Remove onto a plate. Add the remaining oil, then toss in the red peppers. Cook 2 minutes, then mix in the zucchini. Cook the vegetables, tossing often, until they are tender, yet crisp.

Make a small well in the center of the pan and add the garlic. Cook 1 minute before mixing it into the vegetables. Stir in the shallots and shiitake mushrooms, then season generouly with salt and pepper. Keep the vegetables warm over low heat.

Broil the polenta until golden brown on top and hot throughout. Serve 2 polenta squares on each plate with some vegetables along the center. Garnish with rosemary sprigs.

This recipe yields 6 servings.