Wild Mushroom and Parsnip Ragout with Cheesy Polenta

A hearty vegetarian dish featuring a rich ragout of wild mushrooms and parsnips served over creamy, cheesy polenta. The combination of earthy mushrooms, sweet parsnips, and umami-rich miso creates a deeply satisfying meal topped with Parmesan and crunchy hazelnuts.

4 servings
55 min

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 sprig thyme
  • 1 medium parsnip
  • 12 ounces mixed wild mushrooms
  • 1 tablespoon miso paste
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ½ teaspoon cornstarch
  • teaspoons kosher salt
  • ¼ cup red wine
  • 1 cup quick-cooking polenta
  • 5 cups whole milk
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan
  • ¼ cup roasted hazelnuts
  • ¼ cup unsalted hazelnuts
  • ¼ cup chopped hazelnuts

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium. Add onion, garlic, and thyme and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion starts to release moisture and turns translucent, 2-3 minutes. Add parsnip and cook until parsnip begins to soften, 3-5 minutes more. Add mushrooms and remaining 1 Tbsp. oil and cook until mushrooms are well-browned and cooked through, 5-7 minutes more.

    15 min

  2. 2.

    Add miso, tomato paste, and 3/4 tsp. salt to pan and cook, stirring, until tomato paste begins to caramelize, about 1 minute. Add cornstarch and stir to coat, about 30 seconds. Add wine and cook, scraping bottom of pan with a wooden spoon to release brown bits, then add 1 1/2 cups room-temperature water. Bring mixture to a simmer, continuing to scrape bottom of pan and adding water by the tablespoon if pan starts to dry out, and cook until sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 10-12 minutes. Taste and season with salt if needed.

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Meanwhile, cook polenta, 5 cups milk, and 1 tsp. salt according to package directions. When polenta thickens, stir in 1/4 cup cheese. Taste and add salt and milk, if needed.

    20 min

  4. 4.

    Transfer polenta to a large serving bowl. Top with mushroom ragout, remaining 1/4 cup cheese, and hazelnuts.

    5 min