Recipes

Pairs Well With

• Sonoma Classico

Serves 4

Ingredients

3 cups water

1 cup chicken stock

1 cup course ground polenta

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons mascarpone cheese

2 (8-ounce) boneless rib eye steaks, 1½- inches thick, removed from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

½ pound portobello mushrooms, stems removed

2/3 cup Sonoma Classico Red Wine Blend

2/3 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

½ teaspoon salt

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Pour the water and the chicken stock into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. When the water begins to simmer, whisk in the polenta and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir for 5 minutes while the polenta is simmering. Cover the polenta and turn the heat to low. Cook for 40 minutes total stirring every 10 minutes making sure to scrape the bottom and corners of the pan. Remove from the heat and stir in the mascarpone cheese. Cover and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 450° F.

Sprinkle both sides of the steaks generously with salt and pepper. In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-high heat until very hot, but not smoking. Add the steaks and sear for 2 minutes on each side. Transfer the steaks to a shallow baking pan. (Set the skillet aside for later use.) Roast the steaks in the oven for 6 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven. Remove the steaks from the pan and let the steaks rest while you make the mushroom sauce.

Thinly slice the mushroom caps into half-moons then slice again crosswise into 1-inch pieces. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the skillet used for the steaks. When the oil is hot, add the mushrooms and cook and stir until golden brown. Add the wine and reduce the liquid by half. Add the cream and balsamic vinegar and the ½ teaspoon of salt. Cook and stir until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and cover.

To serve, spoon the desired amount of polenta in the center of each plate. Top polenta with sauce and strips of steak.