Best Wild Mushroom Grits Recipes

PAN SEARED CHILEAN SEA BASS WITH WILD MUSHROOM GRITS AND FRESH SPINACH

Steps:

• Season the sea bass with salt and pepper.
• In a large saute pan over medium heat, add the canola oil and heat the oil to a slight smoke. Add 1 sprig of fresh thyme to the saute pan and sear the sea bass skin side down for 3/4 of the cooking time about 7 minutes. This will give the fish a beautiful crisp skin and golden color.
• While the fish is cooking start the grits. In a 2 quart saucepot add 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 sprig of fresh thyme. When the butter begins to brown, add the mushrooms and saute until golden. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the grits, add the chicken stock, and reduce to a simmer. When the grits begin to thicken finish with heavy cream and 1 tablespoon of butter. Season with salt and pepper, when ready to serve, remove the thyme sprig. Keep the grits warm on a low temperature.
• Carefully turn the fish over, to finish the other side. Remove the sea bass and hold in a warm place.
• In the same saute pan, on the same temperature, add the spinach. It will quickly wilt. Finish the spinach with the remaining whole butter and season with salt and pepper.
• For presentation, serve this dish in a large soup bowl. Using a ladle, scoop a small amount of grits into the bottom of each bowl. Layer a small amount of spinach on the grits and finish with the sea bass. Garnish with fresh thyme.

WILD MUSHROOM GRITS WITH POACHED EGGS AND SERRANO CHILE SAUCE AND BLUE CORN TORTILLA STRIPS

Steps:

• Blue Corn Tortilla Strips: Heat 2 inches of oil in a large high-sided saute pan over medium heat until it reaches 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. Add the tortilla strips in batches and fry until just crisp, about 20 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels and season with salt. Set aside.
• Mushroom Grits: Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large saute pan over high heat. Add the garlic and mushrooms and cook until golden brown. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the remaining oil and onion, cooking until soft. Add 4 cups of the stock and bring to a boil. Slowly add the cornmeal, whisking constantly, and continue to whisk until thickened. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the grits are soft stirring constantly, adding more stock if needed, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir in the mascarpone, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and then stir in mushrooms. Remove from heat.
• Serrano Chile Sauce: Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the onion and Serrano chiles and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the cream, wine and vinegar and cook until reduced by a third. Transfer the mixture to a blender, add the spinach, honey, salt and pepper and blend until smooth.
• Poached Eggs: Bring water and vinegar to a simmer in high-sided saute pan. Break the eggs, 1 at a time, into a ramekin and carefully slide the egg into the simmering water, repeat with remaining eggs. Cook about 3 minutes until whites have firmed up but yolk is still soft. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve immediately.
• To plate: Spoon some of the grits into a shallow bowl, top with a poached egg. Drizzle with some of the Serrano Chile Sauce, top with some tortilla strips, sprinkle with grated cotija and garnish with cilantro. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

WILD MUSHROOM GRITS

Steps:

• DIRECTIONS In a heavy-bottom pot add the butter, sauté the onion for 3 minutes, then add grits and stock. Simmer for approximately 45 minutes until creamy, then add cream, cheese, salt, pepper and butter. Reserve. In a small sauté pan heat olive oil and sauté mushrooms until tender, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Deglaze pan with white wine, add thyme and butter. Pour over grits or mix into grits. Top with a drizzle of truffle oil.