Polenta Corn Cakes with Mushrooms

Ever tried hen-of-the-woods mushrooms? They look like little pom poms, with feathery caps and a wonderful mild flavor. When cooked, the little pom poms crisp up and turn golden brown. This recipe is adapted from one by the "21 Club" in New York City, and works excellently with hen-of-the-woods mushrooms. Try it with tossed greens, sliced fresh tomatoes, and a fruit salad for dessert.

Ingredients:

For the polenta:
Shuck and clean 2 ears of fresh corn-on-the-cob
2 cups milk
1 cup polenta
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 ounces blue cheese, crumbled

For the mushrooms:
1 cup cleaned fresh Hen-of-the-Woods mushrooms
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons shallots, chopped
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
fresh cracked pepper to taste

Garnish:
1/3 cup of coarsely chopped walnuts

Preparation:
To prepare the polenta, preheat your broiler and butter an 8-inch square pan.
Using a broiler pan, broil the corn-on-the-cob about 4 inches from the heat, turning it now and then, until it is lightly browned on all sides. This should take about 10 minutes. Cool the corn and cut the kernels from the cobs.
In a large saucepan, stir the milk and polenta together and add the corn kernels and butter. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring constantly. Be sure to stir the mixture continuously or the mixture will stick and burn.
Add water, just 1 scant tablespoon at a time, if the mixture becomes too thick. Continue stirring about 20 minutes, then pour the polenta into the greased baking pan. Spread the mixture evenly across the bottom of the pan, and allow to cool.
Chill the polenta in the refrigerator for about 2 to 3 hours, or until it is cold. This part of the recipe can be made ahead of time and kept refrigerated for about 2 days.

To prepare the mushrooms, slice the hen-of-the-woods mushrooms and sauté them in a 10-inch skillet with butter over medium high heat. Add the shallots and continue to sauté and stir. Add salt to taste. When the mushrooms begin to brown, add the broth and boil until the liquid is reduced by about half. Remove the skillet from the heat, add the thyme, pepper, and salt to taste. Keep warm.
Unmold the polenta onto a cutting board and cut into 16 triangles. On a lightly oiled baking sheet, bake the polenta pieces until they are heated through. This should take about 10 to 15 minutes. After baking, turn the broiler on and broil the pieces about 4 inches from the heat, or until they turn golden brown. This should take only about 2 minutes. Watch the pieces carefully, as they can burn very easily.
Arrange the polenta pieces on 8 plates, spooning the mushrooms over the polenta. Garnish with the walnuts.
Try serving this dish on your porch, deck or balcony with a cold Pinot Grigio, fresh greens, tomato slices and cucumber spears. Do you have any fresh flowers in your summer garden? Take just three or four small single blossoms from a geranium plant and cluster them next to the polenta, on the edge of the plate. Do the same for the cucumbers. For the tomatoes, snip some fresh chives over them - it improves the flavor and it looks beautiful.

Directions:
Ever tried hen-of-the-woods mushrooms? They look like
little pom poms, with feathery caps and a wonderful mild
flavor. When cooked, the little pom poms crisp up and
turn golden brown. This recipe is adapted from one by
the "21 Club" in New York City, and works excellently
with hen-of-the-woods mushrooms. Try it with tossed
greens, sliced fresh tomatoes, and a fruit salad for
dessert.

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Polenta Corn Cakes with Mushrooms

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