[Photo Source: Food Network]
Add a burst of unique flavors and textures to your Thanksgiving table with this delightful wild rice stuffing. Packed with nutty wild rice, tart cranberries, and crunchy pecans, this stuffing is a perfect complement to your juicy roasted turkey.
Ingredients:
1 cup wild rice
2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 celery stalks, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Zest of 1 orange
1 loaf of artisanal bread, cubed and toasted
Instructions:
Prepare Wild Rice: Rinse wild rice under cold water. In a saucepan, combine the wild rice and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45-50 minutes or until rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Toast Pecans and Bread Cubes: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread pecans on a baking sheet and toast for about 8-10 minutes, or until fragrant. In the same oven, place cubed bread on a baking sheet and toast until golden brown.
Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add chopped onions, celery, and garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 8-10 minutes.
Season: Stir in dried sage, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper to the sautéed vegetables. Allow the herbs to infuse into the mixture for a couple of minutes.
Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked wild rice, sautéed vegetables, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, fresh parsley, orange zest, and toasted bread cubes. Mix well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Bake: Transfer the stuffing mixture into a greased baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes. Then, uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Serve Warm: Allow the stuffing to cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired.
The combination of earthy wild rice, sweet cranberries, and crunchy pecans creates a stuffing that's both unique and incredibly delicious. Enjoy the hearty goodness!