We’re trying to reduce the amount of meat (primarily beef) in our home . . . and it certainly is not easy!  Coincidentally this week’s theme for #Sunday Supper is ‘meatless meals’.  So I decided to make a rich, cheesy, mushroom-y polenta side dish, Fontina Polenta with Sauteed Porcini Mushrooms.

Although polenta is traditionally Italian ‘cucina povera’ (food of the poor), when you serve it in these little individual gratin dishes, this polenta looks pretty fancy!  Your guests will definitely be impressed!

If you like polenta, if you like cheese, and/or if you like mushrooms . . . then you’ll enjoy this humble recipe!

Oh and a big shout out to my mother who helped me in the kitchen and who helped improve the setting for shooting the photos for this dish!  She did a great job didn’t she?

I just love ‘shrooms . . .  they are such a major ingredient in Italian cuisine!

Here are a few photos of some superb mushroom dishes that my parents and I enjoyed in my family’s native village of Montecreto in the Northern Italian mountains:

First you come upon a menu displayed on the outside of the ristorante

to tease your appetite!

 we ordered the antipasti of “Crostini ai Funghi (Mushroom Crostini)” below:

 and some perfectly crispy fried mushrooms (below)

 the chef proudly brought a platter of HUGE mushrooms

freshly harvested from the mountain forest

you can see how large these mushrooms are compared to his hand on the left!

  and these were just part of the antipasti!

the main entrees had not arrived yet (that’s for another post!)

If you love mushrooms as much as I do, here are two more recipes that I know your family and you will enjoy:

Risotto with Porcini Mushrooms from Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy

 Mushroom Tart with Three Cheeses

Besides mushrooms, there are so many ways to prepare meatless meals.

Below is a lengthy list of delicious meatless meal recipes that everyone prepared for this week’s Sunday Supper!

Enjoy!

Salads, Soups, Stews and Starters

• Spicy Vegan Potato Salad by Killer Bunnies, Inc
• Veggie Salad Trio with Zucchini Noodles and Pesto by Hip Foodie Mom
• Olive Tapenade by MealDiva
• Chickpea Chile Soup with Greens and Grains by Shockingly Delicious
• Thai Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Potato Chickpea Stew by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• ‘Beef’ Stew with Potato Cake Tops by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
• Mushroom and Wild Rice Soup by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings

“Meat”balls

• Teriyaki Quinoa “Meatballs” by The Foodie Patootie
• Black Bean “Meatballs” with Marinara by Foxes Love Lemons
• Spicy Vegetarian Meatballs by Mess makes food

Pastas, Pizzas and Casseroles

• Zucchini and Mushroom Skillet Lasagna by Curious Cuisiniere
• Four Cheese Spinach Stuffed Shells by Melanie Makes
• Spicy Penne with Tomatoes and Havarti by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Cheesy Tomato Casserole by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
• Deconstructed Vegan “Lasagna” by What Smells So Good?
• Ramen Stir Fry by Ninja Baking
• Roasted Red Pepper Lasagna by Cravings of a Lunatic
• Broccolini Macaroni and Cheese by Family Foodie
• Sundried Tomato and Zucchini Pizza with Goat Cheese by Healthy. Delicious.
• Brussel Sprout, Garlic and Parmesan Pizza by Sustainable Dad
• Creamy Parmesan Mushroom and Leek Pasta by Neighborfood
• Roasted Veggie Manicotti by Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
• Pasta with Olives Piquant by The Texan New Yorker
• Pasta e Patate by Webicurean
• Spaghetti and Chickpeas in a Roasted Tomato Sauce by The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Ricotta Tomato Basil Pizza by Basic N Delicious
• Radicchio and Gorgonzola Tortelloni with Butter and Walnuts by Manu’s Menu

Burgers

• Quinoa blackbean burger with cilantro & ginger by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Garbanzo and Brown Rice Burgers by girlichef
• Tofu Burgers by Small Wallet, Big Appetite

Tacos & Everything Wrapped

• Blackened Tofu Tacos with Asian Slaw by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Mushroom & Poblano Tacos by La Cocina de Leslie
• Bean & Cheese Enchirito by Yours And Mine Are Ours
• Green Chile Enchiladas by Cookin’ Mimi
• Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos by Casa de Crews
• Beet and Goat Cheese Tacos with Avocado Cream by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
• Black Bean and Avocado Flautas by Supper for a Steal
• Bean Spinach Quinoa Burritos by Alida’s Kitchen

Other Main and Side Dishes

• Vegan, Gluten Free Breakfast Bars by Pies and Plots
• Mushroom and Lentil Cottage Pie by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Mediterranean Tomato Tart by Magnolia Days
• Lentil Stuffed Peppers by Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Fontina Polenta with Sauteed Porcini Mushrooms by La Bella Vita Cucina
• Leek and Zucchini Tarte Tatin by Food Lust People Love
• Tofu and Peas Curry (Tofu Matar) by Soni’s Food

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

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