Oyster Mushroom Thyme Polenta

Creamy soft polenta topped with tender garlic-sautéed oyster mushrooms, fresh thyme leaves and a light sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

  • 150 g polenta (coarse cornmeal)
  • 600 ml water
  • 200 ml low-fat milk
  • 300 g oyster mushrooms
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 30 g Parmesan (finely grated)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring water and milk to a boil in a medium saucepan.
  2. Slowly whisk in polenta while stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
  3. Reduce heat to low and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring frequently until soft and creamy.
  4. Tear oyster mushrooms into bite-sized pieces.
  5. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  6. Add mushrooms and sauté for 5-6 minutes until golden and tender.
  7. Mince garlic, add to mushrooms and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  8. Strip thyme leaves from stems and add most to the mushrooms.
  9. Season mushrooms with salt and pepper.
  10. Divide polenta between two bowls and top with sautéed mushrooms.
  11. Sprinkle with Parmesan and remaining fresh thyme leaves.

Notes

  • Stir the polenta frequently to prevent sticking to the bottom.
  • Use instant polenta for a quicker 5-minute version if short on time.
  • The mushrooms should have nice golden edges for best flavor.

Variations

  • Mushroom Mix: Add cremini or shiitake mushrooms alongside the oyster mushrooms.
  • Cheesy Polenta: Stir 20 g Parmesan directly into the polenta for extra creaminess.
  • Greens Addition: Add a handful of baby spinach to the mushrooms in the last minute of cooking.
  • Egg Topped: Serve with a poached or soft-boiled egg on top for extra protein.
  • Herb Swap: Replace thyme with fresh rosemary or sage.

Nutrients Estimate

Ingredient Amount Calories Fibre Protein Key Micronutrients
Polenta 150 g 540 4 g 12 g Iron, Magnesium
Low-fat milk 200 ml 90 0 g 7 g Calcium, Vitamin B12
Oyster mushrooms 300 g 100 6 g 10 g Potassium, Niacin, Vitamin D
Garlic 2 cloves 8 0.1 g 0.4 g Manganese, Vitamin C
Olive oil 1 tbsp 120 0 g 0 g Vitamin E, Monounsaturated fats
Fresh thyme 4 sprigs 4 0.5 g 0.2 g Vitamin C, Iron
Parmesan 30 g 120 0 g 10 g Calcium, Phosphorus
Total (2 portions) 982 10.6 g 39.6 g