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Polenta Cakes with Caramelized Onions & Mushrooms
Ingredients
For Polenta Cakes
  • butter
  • 1/4 cup onions chopped
  • 1/4 mushrooms diced
  • 1-2 green chili finely chopped (optional)
  • zest of 1 orange/lemon
  • 1 tbsp garlic
  • 1 tsp lemon powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper powder
  • 1 cup coarse cornmeal
  • 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock can use chicken stock if you prefer
  • 1 cup milk or cream
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
For Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms
  • 1 onion thinly sliced
  • mushrooms sliced
Instructions
  1. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper and grease it.
  2. Melt butter in any heavy bottom pan. I used Staub cast iron dutch oven for this.
  3. Saute onions and mushrooms on medium heat for 4-5 minutes until translucent but not brown.
  4. Add garlic, chili and citrus zest. Mix and stir for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Add cayenne, lemon powder and cornmeal. Cook on medium low for 1-2 minutes.
  6. Add milk, stock and salt. Stir and let it boil on medium high.
  7. After it reaches a boil, reduce it to low and stir continuously until it thickens. This might take up to 10-15 minutes. The consistency needs to be on the thicker side for it to set properly.
  8. Pour this into the lined sheet. spread it evenly and press it hard with spatula or with your greased palm. Keep it to at least 1/2 to an inch thickness.
  9. Refrigerate and allow to set for at least 2-3 hours. Overnight is always better so it becomes nice and firm and does not crack while cutting out.
  10. Cut out disks with round cookie cutter or whatever shape you like. (At this stage you could freeze your disks individually wrapped for future use.)
  11. Heat your grill or heavy bottom skillet and oil it.
  12. Grill cakes until browned on each side.
For Topping
  1. Heat oil in a pan.
  2. Add onions and mushrooms and saute for 4-5 minutes on high.
  3. Lower it to medium low. Add balsamic vinegar, salt and a bit of sugar and let until it caramelizes. This might take 20-30 minutes depending on how big of a batch you have.
Assembly
  1. Add some greens dressed in very little olive oil
  2. Place your grilled cakes on top of greens, and top them off with caramelized onions/mushrooms or whatever toppings you prefer.