Food & Cooking Recipes Appetizers Polenta Squares with Wild Mushrooms and Fontina Be the first to rate & review! By Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Martha Stewart is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and lifestyle expert who has taught millions of people through generations the joy of entertaining, cooking, gardening, collecting, crafting, and home renovating via her eponymous magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Emmy-winning television shows, and 99 books (and counting). Based in Katonah, N.Y., where she helms her 156-acre Bedford Farm, Martha is America's first self-made female billionaire. Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 16, 2017 Rate PRINT Share Close Photo: David Malosh Prep Time: 1 hr Total Time: 3 hrs 20 mins Yield: 24 A mix of mushrooms gives the best range of textures and earthy flavors, and the assortment also looks more interesting than just one variety of mushroom would. Once the polenta is cold and set, it can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to three days. This recipe is adapted from Martha Stewart's Appetizers. Ingredients Coarse salt 1 ½ cups coarse-ground polenta 8 ounces mixed mushrooms, such as cremini, oyster, chanterelle, and hen-of-the-woods, trimmed and thinly sliced 1 shallot, thinly sliced 1 teaspoon packed fresh thyme leaves 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing 1 ½ cups shredded Italian fontina Directions Bring 4 1/2 cups water to a boil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot; season with salt. Bring another 4 cups water to a simmer in a small saucepan. Gradually add polenta to large pot, whisking constantly until combined. Reduce heat until only one or two large bubbles break surface at a time, adjusting heat as necessary. Whisk 2 ladlefuls of simmering water into polenta and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until water has been absorbed, about 5 minutes. Continue to add 2 ladlefuls of simmering water every 5 minutes, stirring often and waiting for it to be absorbed before adding more, until polenta is creamy and just pulls away from sides of pot, about 45 minutes. (Adjust heat as necessary.) Pour polenta into a slightly damp 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Let stand until no longer steaming, about 10 minutes. Refrigerate, uncovered, until cold and set, about 1 1/2 hours. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a bowl, toss together mushrooms, shallot, thyme, and oil; season with salt. Turn out polenta onto a cutting board. Cut into 24 pieces, and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet brushed with oil. Dividing evenly, brush tops with oil, then sprinkle with cheese and top with mushroom mixture. Roast until polenta is crisp on bottom, cheese is melted, and mushrooms are wilted and golden brown, about 25 minutes. Serve immediately. Originally appeared: Martha Stewart Living, December/January 2015 Rate It PRINT