Mushroom Polenta with Gremolata

Mushroom Polenta with Gremolata

Gremolata:
62ml pine nuts (you may replace with sunflower seeds)
a big bunch of parsley
2 cloves garlic, peeled
the zest of 1 lemon
a pinch of salt
the juice of 1 lemon
45ml olive oil

Polenta:
750ml vegetable/chicken stock
5ml salt
250ml quick cooking polenta
62ml butter

Mushrooms:
45ml butter
30ml sunflower oil
500g mixed mushrooms, roughly chopped
15ml thyme leaves
salt and pepper

For the Gremolata:
Place a large frying pan on medium heat and add the pine nuts to it.
Shake the pan over the heat or stir the seeds around with a spoon, until it starts to toast and change colour.
Remove the seeds from the pan and set aside.
Place the garlic, parsley and half the pine nuts on a chopping board and mince together until finely chopped.
Add the lemon zest and a pinch of salt and chop the ingredients together.
Scrape the chopped ingredients into a small bowl and add the rest of the pine nuts to it.
Now add the lemon juice and olive oil and stir together. Set aside.

For the Polenta:
Add the stock and salt to a saucepan set over high heat and bring the stock to a boil.
Add the polenta and whisk the mixture together until it has thickened.
Take the saucepan from the heat, add the butter and whisk well. Set aside.

For the Mushrooms:
Add the butter and oil to a frying pan set over high heat.
Add the mushrooms, thyme, salt and pepper and cook for about 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat.

Spoon the polenta into bowls and top with mushrooms and a spoonful of gremolata.

Greek Lemon Potatoes

Greek Lemon Potatoes

(Patates Fournou Lemonates)
Unlike traditional roasted potatoes these lemon potatoes are soft, moist, tender and melting. The zing from the lemon cuts through the richness of lamb or meat dishes and is truly more-dish! This to me, is the essence of everything I love about Greece – do your tastebuds a favour…

12 potatoes, peeled
90ml olive oil
finely grated zest of 2 lemons
juice of 2 lemons
10ml salt
a handful of thyme leaves

Preheat your oven to 180℃.
Quarter each potato lengthwise and spread them in a large roasting tin.
Drizzle with the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice and sprinkle over the salt and thyme leaves.
Mix together with your hands so that the potato is covered with the mixture.
Roast for 1 hour, turning once or twice during cooking.
Add another sprinkle of salt and serve.