Chestnut Rice Food

CHESTNUT AND WILD RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Put the wild rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse it under cold running water, swishing the rice with your hands until the water runs clear. Transfer the rice to a medium bowl and add water to cover. Pour off any black bits or floating kernels, and then pour the rice back into the sieve to drain.
• Cook the rices separately: Combine the wild rice with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, cover tightly, reduce the heat to low and steam until the rice is tender and curling into a C shape, 20 to 25 minutes.
• At the same time, combine the basmati rice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 3/4 cups water in another small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, cover tightly, reduce the heat to low, and steam until the rice is tender, 25 minutes.
• Combine the rices in a large bowl and cover tightly.
• Cook the vegetable base: Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the celery and onion and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are limp but still bright, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme, and cook for 5 minutes.
• Pour the vegetables over the rice, scraping the pan for the juices, and stir to combine. Add the pistachios, chestnuts and parsley and mix thoroughly. Serve hot.

CHESTNUT RICE

Steps:

• Wash the rice well, until the water runs clear. Leave to drain for one hour in strainer. Place rice in a deep pan.
• Cut chestnuts in half and rinse in cold water. Place on top of the rice.
• Dissolve the salt in 1/2 pint (1 1/4 cups) water and pour over rice. Add more water if necessary. The rice needs fully covered. Add the sake or wine.
• Cover and cook over high heat until it begins to bubble. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 more minutes, until the water is absorbed. Up in Colorado that takes quite a bit longer.
• Leave to stand, still covered, for 15 minutes, then mix the chestnuts into the rice. Try to not break up the chestnuts.
• Garnish with black sesame seeds.

CHESTNUT, MUSHROOM AND RICE STUFFING

Steps:

• For convenience we cooked this outside the turkey in a buttered casserole at 350 F degrees for about 90 minutes. The timing isn't crucial. Or you may stuff the turkey as below.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 TB (30 ml) butter or margarine, onions, and celery and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add mushrooms and garlic, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until tender.
• Add sage, thyme, rosemary, and half each of the salt and pepper. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes or until fragrant.
• Pour in wine and chicken broth. Scrape brown bits from the pan. Simmer for 3 minutes.
• Add rice, chestnuts and parsley to skillet mixture and let cool completely.
• Toss the mixture with eggs until well combined.
• IF YOU WANT TO COOK THIS IN THE BIRD:.
• Preheat oven to 425 F (220 C). Remove giblets and neck from turkey; rinse inside and out with cold water and pat dry. Season the turkey (including the cavities) with the remaining salt and pepper.
• Stuff both cavities with the rice mixture, packing lightly. Truss the legs closed with kitchen twine. Place turkey on a rack in a large roasting pan. Rub skin with remaining butter. Roast turkey for 30 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350 F (180 C).
• Roast, basting with pan juices, every 30 minutes for about 3 hours, or until an instant-read thermometer registers 180 F (85 C) when inserted into the inner thigh.
• Rest turkey for 20 minutes; reserve pan juices to make gravy. Transfer turkey to a platter, carve and serve with stuffing on the side.

PERFECT MUSHROOM RISOTTO

Steps:

• Prepare the vegetables.
• - peel and chop onion
• - slice mushrooms
• - peel and crush garlic.
• Fry the onion and garlic until soft.
• Add mushrooms, and fry for another 2 minutes.
• Stir in the rice.
• Mix the stock with the water.
• Add a little of the stock to the rice and keep stirring until stock is absorbed.
• Continue adding stock until the rice cooks - this will take 20-25 mins. The rice should be soft but still retain a nutty bite.
• Stir the parmasan and thyme into the rice.

WATER CHESTNUT RICE

Steps:

• Soak orange peel and apricots in wine.
• Bring 5 cups of water to the boil. I find the water to rice ratio is usually 3:1 for brown and 2:1 for white. Your brand may be different so follow the guidelines for water quantity for boiling the brand you are using.
• Add bouillon cubes to the boil and add brown rice only.
• Boil brown rice for 20 minutes and then add white rice.
• Reduce heat and cook for another 20 minutes or until rice is tender.
• Drain rice and combine with all other ingredients.