Fried polenta with mushrooms and Gorgonzola

Serves 6 Prep time 10 mins, cook 45 mins (plus cooling, setting)

This would also make a great light lunch, served with a green salad. You can cook the polenta a few days in advance and have it sliced and ready to be fried for quick entertaining.

Bring 1 litre of salted water to the boil in a large saucepan. Gradually add polenta, stirring continuously until smooth (5-7 minutes). Continue to stir occasionally over medium-high heat (carefully as it will spit) until thick and grains are cooked through (25-30 minutes). Remove from heat, stir through 30gm butter and pour into a plastic-wrap-lined 28cm x 5cm loaf pan. Smooth top and refrigerate until cool and set (30-40 minutes). Remove from pan, take off plastic wrap, cut into 5mm-thick slices and set aside.

Heat 1cm vegetable oil in a large frying pan over high heat until it shimmers. Add half the polenta slices and cook, turning once, until golden and crisp (5-7 minutes), remove with a slotted spatula, transfer to an absorbent-paper-lined plate and keep warm. Repeat with remaining polenta slices.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Add mushrooms and stir until they begin to colour (3-5 minutes), add remaining butter, rosemary and garlic, stir occasionally until golden (2-3 minutes). Season to taste and keep warm.

To serve, top polenta slices with mushrooms, crumble over Gorgonzola and serve immediately.