Polenta Toasties with Mushroom Sauce

Transform your mealtime with these irresistible **Polenta Toasties with Mushroom Sauce**, a delightful blend of crispy golden polenta squares topped with a luscious, creamy mushroom sauce infused with garlic and fresh thyme. The recipe begins with velvety Parmesan-enriched polenta, cooled to perfection and pan-fried for a crunchy exterior that contrasts beautifully with its soft interior. The earthy mushroom sauce, heightened with a touch of heavy cream and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, brings gourmet charm to every bite. Perfect as an elegant appetizer or a satisfying vegetarian main course, this recipe is easy to make and ready in under an hour. Whether for entertaining or indulging solo, these polenta toasties make comfort food feel elevated and unforgettable.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Instant polenta
• 3 cups Water
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 8 ounces Mushrooms (button or cremini, sliced)
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 0.5 cup Heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon Fresh thyme leaves
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Add the salt and then slowly whisk in the polenta, stirring continuously to prevent lumps.

Step 2

Reduce the heat to low and continue stirring until the polenta thickens, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 3

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and 1 tablespoon of the butter.

Step 4

Pour the polenta into a greased 9x9-inch baking dish and spread it evenly with a spatula. Let it cool completely until firm, about 30 minutes (you can speed this up by refrigerating it).

Step 5

Once firm, cut the polenta into squares, rectangles, or triangles, depending on your preference.

Step 6

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the polenta slices in batches until they are golden and crispy on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Set aside on a plate lined with paper towels.

Step 7

In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and start to brown, about 6-8 minutes.

Step 8

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

Step 9

Pour in the heavy cream, add the thyme leaves, and stir well. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Season with black pepper to taste.

Step 10

Arrange the crispy polenta toasties on a serving platter and spoon the mushroom sauce generously over the top.

Step 11

Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1497.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1576.1

Total Fat 127.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 63.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 277.2mg	0%
Sodium 4250.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 48.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.7g	0%
Total Sugars 4.7g
Protein 57.1g	0%

Vitamin D 22.7IU	0%
Calcium 1380.3mg	0%
Iron 2.6mg	0%
Potassium 896.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 73.0%

Protein: 14.6%

Carbs: 12.4%