POLENTA WITH MUSHROOM RAGOUT

Polenta with Mushroom Ragout image

Provided by Jacques Pépin

Yield 4 as a first course or side dish, 2 as a main course

Number Of Ingredients 17

Polenta
2 cups water
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Mushroom Ragout
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon peanut oil
1 small onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
5 ounces mushrooms (cultivated, wild, or a combination), trimmed, cleaned, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (2 cups)
3 garlic cloves, crushed and finely chopped (2 teaspoons)
4 plum tomatoes, halved, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 1/4 cups)
2 small ears corn, husked and kernels cut off (1 cup)
1/2 cup homemade chicken stock or low-salt canned chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Steps:

FOR THE POLENTA
Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Sprinkle the cornmeal on top while mixing it in with a whisk, and stir in the salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid to prevent splattering, and cook gently for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the polenta is cooked and has the consistency of a creamy puree. Set aside, covered.
FOR THE RAGOUT
Heat the butter and oil in a large saucepan. When they are hot, add the onion and sauté for 30 seconds. Add the mushrooms and sauté over high heat for about 2 minutes, until the liquid emerges from them and evaporates. Add the garlic, tomatoes, corn, chicken stock, salt, and pepper and bring to a strong boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
To serve, ladle the polenta into the center of four soup plates and pour the mushroom ragout on top of and around it. Sprinkle with the chives and serve.