Petiscos de polenta com cogumelos e cebola caramelizada

Ingredientes

• 2 cups of vegetable stock
• 1/2 cup of instant polenta
• 1/3 cup of grated parmesan
• 1 tbsp of butter
• 1 tsp of salt
• 2 large onions (peeled and chopped)
• 1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp of brown sugar
• 2 tsp of olive oil
• salt
• 400 g of mushrooms (cleaned and chopped)
• 1 tsp of fresh thyme leaves
• 3 tbsp of rose or red wine
• 2 tsp of olive oil
• 1 clove large of garlic (minced)
• salt to taste

Modo de preparo

1. 1

   Start by making the polenta. Grease a baking tray (I used a 30cm x 20cm tray) and set aside. Then in a medium saucepan bring the vegetable stock and butter to the boil. Gradually whisk in the polenta and reduce the heat to medium low. Continue whisking the polenta until it becomes thick and creamy, around 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the parmesan. Pour the polenta into the prepared tray and cover and set aside for 15 to 20 minutes to set.

2. 2

   To make the caramelised onions, heat a large frying pan over a medium low heat and add the olive oil before adding the onions and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 10 minutes before adding the balsamic and brown sugar. Cook for a further 10 minutes until caramelised. Set aside.

3. 3

   For the mushrooms, heat a large frying pan over a medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes before adding the garlic and cook for 2 minutes before adding the rose or red wine and thyme leaves. Simmer for a further 10 minutes, or until the wine has all but evaporated. Set aside.

4. 4

   Cut the polenta into bite size squares and coat in flour or uncooked polenta (the polenta will provide extra crunch). Heat a large frying pan over a medium heat and add oil. Once the pan has come to heat add the polenta squares and fry for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden. Drain on paper towel.

5. 5

   To assemble the Mushroom Polenta Bites top the polenta squares with a small amount of caramelised onion (too much will overpower the mushrooms) and top with the mushroom mixture.