Paula’s Polenta with Mushroom Topping

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 pound button mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 small onion, minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions

In a heavy saucepan over high heat, bring water to a boil with salt and pepper. Slowly pour in cornmeal, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Reduce heat to low and cook 20 minutes, stirring frequently as the mixture thickens.

Using a wet spatula spoon the cornmeal mixture (polenta) 1/2 inch thick onto a sheet of wax paper. Set aside to cool.

Preheat oven to broil. Lightly grease a baking sheet.

Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Cook mushrooms, onion, garlic and herbs in the hot oil until mushrooms are tender.

Cut cooled polenta into squares and place on prepared baking sheet. Broil until browned on both sides. Serve with mushroom sauce.