SAMFA Cheesy Mushroom & Spinach Loaded Polenta

Just a friendly reminder that your generous purchase of 250g pink punnets of whole or sliced white button mushrooms at Pick n Pay during October is the power behind the annual Power of Pink campaign. The funds raised give financial power to Reach for Recovery’s Ditto Prostheses Project to purchase silicone breast prostheses for women who can’t afford reconstructive surgery after the trauma of breast cancer

Serves 4

Ingredients:

Polenta:

• 1 cup polenta
• 4 cups of water
• 3 Tbsp butter (plus extra for frying polenta)
• 50g Parmesan cheese, finely grated
• Salt to taste

Spinach:

• 400g fresh spinach, thinly shredded
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp butter

Mushrooms:

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 500g portabellini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 shallot, finely minced
• 2 tsp sherry vinegar
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• ¼ tsp chili flakes
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 150g mozzarella cheese, grated

Method:

For the polenta:

(Polenta can be prepared the night before or early morning of the day you want to serve this dish so it has plenty of time to cool and set)

• Line a rimmed baking tray with baking paper. Set aside.
• Add water to a large pot and whisk in the polenta. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
• When the water comes to a boil, stir continuously until the polenta becomes thick and starts to bubble. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
• Switch off the heat and stir in the butter and Parmesan. Season to taste.
• Scrape polenta into the prepared baking tray and smooth.
• Cover with cling film and place in the fridge until completely firm.

For the mushrooms and spinach:

• Sautée spinach in butter and garlic until just wilted. Season to taste and set aside.
• Sautée the mushrooms and shallot on high heat in the butter and olive oil. When golden brown add the vinegar and stir. Switch off the heat and add the thyme and chili flakes. Mix and season to taste.
• Preheat oven on the grill setting.
• Remove polenta from the fridge and cut into 8 neat squares. (Snack on the offcuts.)
• Pan sear the polenta in a hot pan with a little butter until golden brown on both sides.
• (Flip polenta only once as it will become fragile.)
• Place polenta squares onto a lined baking tray.
• Top with cooked spinach, mushrooms, and mozzarella cheese.
• Place under the grill for a few minutes until the mozzarella is bubbling and melted.

Serve 2 squares per person with a green salad.