Baked Polenta with Balsamic Mushrooms
Mushrooms roasted with balsamic vinegar are nestled in creamy, cheesy polenta in this bake that doubles as a vegetarian main dish or side.
- Preparation:
 - Cooking:
 - Total:
 - Serves: 1 person
 
Ingredients
- 14baby bella mushrooms, stemmed
 - 2tablespoons olive oil
 - 2tablespoons balsamic vinegar
 - 1teaspoon dried thyme
 - 2½ cups water
 - 2cups half-and-half
 - ¾cup polenta
 - ¾cup diced Swiss cheese
 - 1teaspoon sea salt
 - ½teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
 - ½cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
 - 2cups half-and-half
 - 1teaspoon black truffle salt, or more to taste
 
Instructions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).Step 2
Place mushrooms in a large baking dish, gill-side up. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar over mushrooms. Crush thyme between your fingers; sprinkle over mushrooms.Step 3
Bake in the preheated oven until tender, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a plate using tongs. Leave any accumulated juices in the baking dish.Step 4
Bring water and half-and-half to a boil in a large pot. Add polenta in a steady stream, whisking constantly. Reduce heat and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Add Swiss cheese, sea salt, and pepper; stir until cheese is melted.Step 5
Pour hot polenta into the same baking dish used to bake the mushrooms. Smooth the top with a spatula. Arrange mushrooms, gill-side up, in the polenta. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.Step 6
Bake in the preheated oven until mushrooms are soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and garnish with truffle salt.