Shrimp Polenta with Roasted Mushrooms
 
Makes 10 to 12 servings
Ingredients
  • 2 cups unsalted butter, divided
  • 1½ pounds peeled and deveined small fresh shrimp
  • 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ cup dry sherry
  • 1 gallon whole milk
  • 4 cups coarse polenta or grits
  • 1 pound mixed mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400°.
  2. In a large sauté pan, melt ¼ cup butter over medium-high heat. Add shrimp, and cook for 2 minutes. Add garlic, salt, cayenne, and black pepper. Cook, shaking pan occasionally, for 2 minutes. Add sherry, and cook for about 1 minute. Drain shrimp mixture, and let stand until cool.
  3. Cut remaining 1¾ cups butter into small cubes. In the work bowl of a food processor, place shrimp mixture; pulse until finely chopped. Add butter, and blend very well. Cover and refrigerate shrimp butter until chilled. (This can be done up to 3 days in advance.)
  4. In a large stockpot, heat milk over medium-high heat until hot but not boiling. Slowly whisk in polenta. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until polenta is tender and doesn’t have a raw corn flavor. Whisk in shrimp butter, and season to taste with salt.
  5. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss together mushrooms, oil, thyme, and a large pinch of salt. Spread on a baking sheet in an even layer.
  6. Bake until mushrooms start turning a light golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Place in a large bowl, and toss with parsley. Taste for seasoning. Serve hot mushrooms over hot polenta.
Recipe by Louisiana Cookin' at https://louisianacookin.com/shrimp-polenta-roasted-mushrooms/