Sautéed foraged mushroom with cheese topped polenta
This is influenced by a porcini and chestnut mushroom dish I make but the I decided on a different method to both simplify and ensure that the trooping funnel is well cooked. Take the quantities listed here with a pinch of salt - pun intended. In reality, the only part I measured was the polenta.For the mushroom mix, use what mushrooms you have. I used 3 small trooping funnel, 5 porcelain funghi, a few very young common puffballs and 1 inkcap. This was for one very generous serving. I doubled up the quantities for the recipe. The trooping funnel have quite a bit of flavour but you could add some rehydrated porcini.Porcelain funghi have a slimy surface which is a fine skin that easily peels off when you start using the mushroom brush on it. Totally cut out the thin stalk with a sharp knife.I kept the herbs light. I wanted to bring out the taste of the mushrooms without being too herby.For the cheese, I have suggested Taleggio or Emmental, which are quite different to each other, however you could also substitute Brie or Camembert with the rind removed.
Clean the mushrooms well and pat dry with paper towel
Slice the trooping funnel to 5mm strips, if the stems are not fibrous then they can be used too, thinly slicedSmall porcelain funghi can be kept whole or just cut in half. Slice the other mushrooms thinly, especially any stems; keep the caps of the shaggy inkcaps separate as they have a shorter cooking time.
Heat up a medium sized frying pan to a medium high heat adding 1 tbsp olive oil. Add the trooping funnel mushrooms with a sprinkle of salt, and fry for 2 minutes, stirring a couple of times. Turn down to a medium low to medium heat and put the lid on the frying pan.
Let the trooping funnel cook until 10 minutes after you first put them in the pan. Then add the garlic and the other mushrooms, except the caps of the shaggy inkcap (if using any). Stir through and cook for about 4 minutes. Add the shaggy inkcaps and the herbs and cook for another 2 minutes.
Deglaze
Add a splash of white wine and allow the wine to reduce.
Set the pan aside with the lid on to keep warm.
Polenta
Make the stock and add into a deep pan and set to a medium heat
Add the polenta and keep stirring. I use a whisk to stir almost continuously until the polenta is thickened.
Assembly
Serve the polenta directly into large soup or pasta bowls. Sprinkle the grated cheese over the surface. Microwave each dish for 30-40 seconds to soften/melt the cheese.Spoon the mushroom mix over the top and serve with a few twists of freshly ground black pepper.