Tonight's Dinner - Mushroom Ragu over Grits

[Guest guest]

This was tonight's dinner. It came out really good. I

adapted it from Tra Vigne Seasons Cookbook by Michael

Chiarello. Altho' not a vegetarian cookbook, it has

quite a few vegetarian options. It is one of my

favorite cookbooks of all time. I cook from it alot.

 

This ragu was part of a meat-laden meal. I omitted the

meat - made the ragu and put it over polenta. Served

with a salad, it was a great meal.

 

@@@@@

Wild Mushroom Ragu With Grits

|

RisaG/Michael Chiarello

|

For ragu:

1 tbsp olive oil, divided in two

3/4 lb mixed mushrooms (morel, shiitake)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, diced

1 stalk celery, diced

1.5 cups vegetable broth

1 bay leaf

1-14 oz can diced tomatoes

3 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

Grits:

3/4 cup quick grits

3 cups water

1 tsp salt

|

Place a skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the

oil and the garlic. Cook for 1 minute until lightly

browned. Add the mushrooms. Do not move them for at

least one minute until they start to brown. Keep

sauting until they have browned and are soft. Remove

from pan and set aside. Add the rest of the oil,

onions, celery, salt and pepper. Saute until light

brown, about 8 minutes.

 

Add the broth and bay leaf and bring to a boil over

high heat. Cook until reduced by half. Add the

tomatoes and bring to a boil again. Season with salt

and pepper. Return the mushrooms to the pot, cover,

and let cook for 1 minute.

 

Meanwhile, place quick grits in a microwaveable

container along with water and salt. Mix well. Cover

and cook on HIGH for 6 minutes, stirring well after 3

minutes.

 

Let sit until ragu is done.

 

To serve:

 

Place half the grits on the plate. Cover with half the

ragu. Sprinkle with basil. Serve with a salad.

 

Original idea from Tra Vigne Seasons Cookbook by

Michael Chiarello & Penelope Wisner.

 

Risa's note:

 

If you don't have grits, use yellow cornmeal. It

should cook for a bit longer. If you like cooking it

on the stovetop, do so. I find the microwave easier

and I don't get bits of grits all over the stovetop.

|

_____

 

RisaG

 

 

 

Health - your guide to health and wellness

http://health.