Spring Veg Fricassée With Cheesy Polenta

    20m prep time
    45m total time
    Easy level
    12 ingredients
Spring Veg Fricassée With Cheesy Polenta recipe by Cherrypick

Try this wonderful side dish to serve with roast lamb or mutton for a twist on a Sunday lunch. It also doubles as a stunning centrepiece for any vegetarians at the table.

Method

Based on 4 servings, adjust as needed.

Step 1

Bring a large pan of water to the boil and fill a large bowl with cold, iced water ready to blanch the veg. Drop the radishes into the boiling water, cook for 20 seconds, then scoop out with a slotted spoon and plunge into the cold water. Repeat with the sugarsnap peas, asparagus and finally the broccoli, but only blanching the broccoli for 1 min. Will keep in the cold water in the fridge for up to a day.

Step 2

Heat the milk in a large saucepan over a medium heat and season with salt. When steaming, slowly pour in the polenta in a thin stream, whisking to prevent any lumps forming. Cook for 10 mins, until thick but pourable, stir in the cheese and a splash more milk or water if needed. The polenta will firm up if left to sit – if this happens, loosen it with water and whisk until smooth.

Step 3

Melt the butter in a large frying pan until foaming, stir in the garlic and capers, and sizzle over a medium heat for a few minutes without letting the garlic burn. Add the lemon zest and juice and cook for another minute.

Step 4

Drain the vegetables and add to the pan – don’t worry if they’re a little wet, the water will emulsify with the butter to make a sauce. Cook for 2-3 mins until the veg is just warm, then season well and stir through half the herbs.

Step 5

Pour the cheesy polenta onto a platter, arrange the veg on top and pour over the buttery sauce from the pan. Scatter with the remaining herbs, a little black pepper and some parmesan shavings.
  • Ingredients
  • Based on 4 servings
  • 1 Lemon, zested and juiced
    1 Lemon, zested and juiced 1 x Sainsbury's Lemons
  • 150g Instant Polenta
    150g Instant Polenta 1 x Sainsbury's Polenta 400g
  • 20g Dill, parsley or mint, chopped
    20g Dill, parsley or mint, chopped 1 x Sainsbury's Fresh Packed Flat Leaf Parsley 30g
  • 180g Asparagus, woody ends trimmed and cut into batons
    180g Asparagus, woody ends trimmed and cut into batons 1 x Sainsbury's 250g Asparagus Spears
  • 180g Purple Sprouting Broccoli, cut to a similar length as the asparagus
    180g Purple Sprouting Broccoli, cut to a similar length as the asparagus 1 x Sainsbury's Purple Sprouting Broccoli Spears 200g
  • 2 Large Garlic Cloves, finely sliced
    2 Large Garlic Cloves, finely sliced 1 x Sainsbury's Large Garlic
  • 1 litre Whole Milk
    1 litre Whole Milk 1 x Sainsbury's British Whole Milk 1.13L (2 pint)
  • 150g Sugarsnap Peas, or mange tout
    150g Sugarsnap Peas, or mange tout 1 x Sainsbury's Sugar Snap Peas 200g
  • 40g Italian Style Hard Cheese, grated, plus a little extra to serve
    40g Italian Style Hard Cheese, grated, plus a little extra to serve 1 x Sainsbury's Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese 200g
  • 2 tbsp Capers, drained
    2 tbsp Capers, drained 1 x Sainsbury's Non Pareilles Capers in Brine, Inspired to Cook 100g (60g*)
  • 150g Radishes, halved or quartered
    150g Radishes, halved or quartered 1 x Sainsbury's Radish 240g
  • 100g Butter
    100g Butter 1 x Sainsbury's British Butter, Salted 250g
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