Long considered the “caviar of grains,” wild rice is native to North American, and isn’t really a rice at all. The grains are long, slender, and black, with a unique nutty, almost smoky, flavor. They come from a reed-like aquatic plant that not long ago was only found in the wild, but is now naturally cultivated. Local Indians still gather wild rice by paddling in canoes through the rice beds of Minnesota. Wild rice also grows in the southern states of the United States as well as rural mountain valleys of Northern California. Wild rice pairs beautifully with game birds, chicken, and a holiday turkey. I like to serve this separately, but it is equally delicious stuffed in the bird.
YIELD
Serves 8 to 10
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups wild rice
2 cups homemade chicken stock or canned low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
1/2 cup pine nuts
3/4 cup dried apricots quartered
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 large ribs celery finely chopped
2 large carrots peeled and finely chopped
1 yellow onion finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon fresh sage minced
1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley minced
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
Freshly ground pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
"In a medium saucepan, combine the rice, chicken stock, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and add 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer, partially cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender, about 40 minutes. (Not all of the liquid will be absorbed.)
Meanwhile, place a small, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When it is hot, but not smoking, add the pine nuts. Stirring constantly, toast them until nicely browned, about 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside to cool.
Place the dried apricots in a small bowl, add hot water to cover, and allow to plump for 20 minutes. Drain and reserve.
In a 10-inch sauté pan over medium-high heat, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter. Swirl to coat the pan and sauté the celery, carrot, and onion until soft and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the thyme, sage, and parsley and sauté 1 minute longer. Remove from the heat.
Preheat the oven to 350ºF. When the rice is tender, add the sautéed vegetable mixture to the rice. Add the reserved pine nuts, apricots, and dried cranberries. Stir to combine. Add the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Taste and adjust the seasonings.
Use the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to grease an oven-to-table casserole dish. Spoon the rice mixture into the prepared pan and cover. Twenty minutes before serving, bake the wild rice until heated through.
Do Ahead
The stuffing can be made up to 1 day in advance. Refrigerate, covered, and bring to room temperature 1 hour before baking. Increase the baking time to 40 minutes to insure it’s heated through."