Wild Mushroom and Parsnip Ragout with Cheesy Polenta

Ingredients for Wild Mushroom and Parsnip Ragout with Cheesy Polenta

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

• 1 small onion, coarsely chopped (about 110g )

• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped

• 1 thyme sprig

• 1 medium parsnip (about 200g ), peeled, finely chopped

• 350g mixed wild mushrooms, such as maitake, shiitake, porcini, and/or crimini, cut into 1/2" pieces

• 1 tablespoon miso paste

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• 1/2 teaspoons cornflour

• 1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more

• 60ml red wine

• 240ml quick-cooking polenta

• 1200ml (or more) whole milk

• 120ml grated Parmesan, divided

• 40g roasted, unsalted hazelnuts, chopped

How to make Wild Mushroom and Parsnip Ragout with Cheesy Polenta

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium. Add onion, garlic, and thyme and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion starts to release moisture and turns translucent, 2–3 minutes. Add parsnip and cook until parsnip begins to soften, 3–5 minutes more. Add mushrooms and remaining 1 tablespoon oil and cook until mushrooms are well-browned and cooked through, 5–7 minutes more.

Add miso, tomato paste, and 3/4 teaspoons salt to pan and cook, stirring, until tomato paste begins to caramelize, about 1 minute. Add cornflour and stir to coat, about 30 seconds. Add wine and cook, scraping bottom of pan with a wooden spoon to release brown bits, then add 350ml room-temperature water. Bring mixture to a simmer, continuing to scrape bottom of pan and adding water by the tablespoon if pan starts to dry out, and cook until sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 10–12 minutes. Taste and season with salt if needed.

Meanwhile, cook polenta, 1200ml milk, and 1 teaspoon salt according to package directions. When polenta thickens, stir in 60ml cheese. Taste and add salt and milk, if needed.

Transfer polenta to a large serving bowl. Top with mushroom ragout, remaining 40g cheese, and hazelnuts.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.