Sticky Rice Stuffing A Chinese Inspired Thanksgiving Food

STICKY RICE STUFFING WITH CHINESE SAUSAGE AND SHIITAKES

Steps:

• Rinse the rice in a colander, and then transfer to a medium bowl. Cover with 1 inch of water and let soak at room temperature overnight. Drain thoroughly.
• Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and toast, stirring, until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside, reserving skillet.
• Return skillet to medium heat and add oil. When oil is hot, add the shallots and mushrooms and cook, stirring, until the shallots are golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the sausage and cook until the sausages curl slightly, 1 minute more. Add the sherry, bring to a boil, and cook until syrupy, about 1 minute. Add the soy sauce, chestnuts, rice, and toasted pine nuts and toss until the rice kernels are evenly coated. Stir in the broth or water and season with salt. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until the rice is cooked, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Garnish rice "stuffing" with sliced scallions before serving.

STICKY RICE WITH CHINESE SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Cover rice with cold water by 1 inch in a large bowl and soak at least 2 hours. Drain in a sieve and rinse well under cold running water.
• Soak mushrooms in warm water 30 minutes, then drain, squeezing excess liquid back into bowl, and discard liquid. Rinse mushrooms to remove any grit, then discard stems and coarsely chop caps. 3Quarter sausages lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Heat a wok over high heat until just smoking. Add peanut oil and heat, swirling in wok, until just smoking. Add ginger and scallion and stir-fry 30 seconds. Add sausage and stir-fry 1 minute, then add mushrooms and stir-fry 1 minute. Add chestnuts and stir-fry 1 minute. Stir in rice wine, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, salt, and white pepper and remove from heat. Add drained rice and stir to coat.
• Transfer mixture to a 4- to 6-quart heavy pot and add broth (broth will not completely cover rice). Bring to a simmer, stir once, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook 25 minutes more, then remove from heat. Stir from bottom to distribute ingredients and let stand, covered, 10 minutes before serving.
• *Available at Asian markets and Kam Man Food Products (212-571-0330).

MOCHI RICE STUFFING

Steps:

• If using a rice cooker, combine rice and 2 1/2 cups water in the rice cooker and soak for 1 hour, then cook until tender, about 20 minutes. If cooking on the stovetop, combine rice and 2 1/2 cups water in a large pot. Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cook 20 minutes, or until water is almost completely absorbed. Remove from heat and let steam, covered, 15 minutes.
• Drain shiitakes, then remove stems and slice caps; set aside. In a small saucepan, combine ginger and 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-low heat and cook 2 minutes; set aside and let steep.
• In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, about 8 minutes; drain fat. In a small bowl, stir together oyster sauce and sugar, then add to the skillet with the bacon. Stir in onion, green onions, lap cheong, char siu, chestnuts, water chestnuts, ginger oil and mushrooms. Cook over medium-high heat until onions are translucent, about 4 minutes. Toss mixture with the prepared rice; set aside.
• Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Pour eggs into hot pan and cook until edges begin to set, about 10 seconds. Pull omelet in from the edges toward the center of the pan and let liquid eggs flow underneath. When eggs are mostly set, fold omelet in thirds like a letter and transfer to a cutting board. Slice into strips. Serve rice with slivered omelet and cilantro on top.