Golden Polenta with Exotic Mushroom Ragout

Preparation time: 10 minutes	4 servings
Cooking time: 20 minutes	274 calories per serving, 29% from fat
RealAge effect if eaten 12 times a year:	RealAge-effect ingredients:
With its powerhouse of B vitamins, carotenoids from the carrots, and a little healthy fat, this soothing fall dish makes your RealAge 4.6 days younger.	Olive oil, cornmeal, onions, carrots, mushrooms (B vitamins, carotenoids, potassium, healthy fats)

ingredients

3½ cups low-salt chicken or vegetable broth

1 cup (6 ounces) cornmeal, preferably stone-ground

2 teaspoons olive oil

½ cup sliced shallots or chopped yellow onion

1½ cups thickly sliced carrots

2 packages (4 ounces each) mixed sliced exotic mushrooms, such as Pennsylvania Farms brand

1½ cups (4 ounces) sliced button or crimini mushrooms

2 tablespoons dry sherry

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried

¾ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

½ cup (2 ounces) crumbled herbed feta or herbed goat cheese

preparation

Combine 3 cups broth and cornmeal in a large saucepan. Mix well with a wire whisk. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking occasionally. Simmer uncovered over low heat 15 to 18 minutes or until very thick, whisking frequently. Remove from heat; cover and keep warm.

Place a large, deep skillet over medium heat until hot. Add oil, then shallots and carrots; sauté 5 minutes. Add mushrooms; sauté 5 minutes. Add remaining ½ cup broth, sherry, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered 5 minutes or until carrots are tender, stirring occasionally.

Spread polenta over four warmed serving plates. Top with mushroom ragout and cheese. Garnish with additional chopped fresh thyme and freshly ground black pepper, if desired.

substitutions: If sliced exotic mushrooms (a combination of crimini, oyster, and shiitake mushrooms) are not available, substitute 8 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms. Save the tough stems for stock, and slice the caps for the dish. Cubed unpeeled sweet potatoes—Garnets are some of the sweetest—can substitute for carrots.

tips: Look for exotic mushrooms in the produce section of your supermarket. Mushroom stock—homemade or purchased—adds depth of flavor. For even more intensity, find mushroom soy sauce—I love Pearl River brand’s deep, dark layers of flavor.

nutritional analysis

Total fat (g) 8.9	Sodium (mg) 782	Vitamin A (RE) 36
Fat calories (kc) 80	Calcium (mg) 89	Beta-carotene (RE) 0.4
Cholesterol (mg) 13.3	Magnesium (mg) 32	Vitamin C (mg) 6
Saturated fat (g) 2.9	Zinc (mg) 1.6	Vitamin E (mg) 0.55
Polyunsaturated fat (g) 1.0	Selenium (mcg) 0	Thiamin B1 (mg) 0.2
Monounsaturated fat (g) 3.0	Potassium (mg) 611	Riboflavin B2 (mg) 0.6
Fiber (g) 3.6	Flavonoids (mg) 0.7	Niacin B3 (mg) 7.0
Carbohydrates (g) 40.6	Lycopene (mg) 0	Vitamin B6 (mg) 0.3
Sugar (g) 2.2	Fish (oz) 0	Folic acid (mcg) 51
Protein (g) 11.9	Nuts (oz) 0	Vitamin B12 (mcg) 0.5