Stuffed Butternut Squash With Wild Rice Food

STUFFED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH WILD RICE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 F.
• Cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds with a spoon. Place butternut squash, cut side up, onto a baking sheet. Brush on some oil and sprinkle chopped thyme on top.
• Bake for 45 mins, or until soft. Insert a fork to check doneness. If it's fork tender, it's ready.
• Place the rice in a large bowl and rinse 3 to 4 times with cold running water to wash off extra starch from the rice. Drain it well and set aside.
• Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium high heat for 2 minutes until the hot oil sizzles and shimmers. Add onions and mushrooms and sauté for 2-3 minutes until onions are soft.
• Add rice and stir well to combine. Add peas, vegetable stock powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add approximately one cup of water (water level should be one inch above the mixture) and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Turn heat down to low, cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes. Check occasionally to see if the liquid is absorbed.
• Turn off the heat and let it sit for another 10 to 15 minutes. The rice is still cooking by the residual heat. Gently fluff the rice. Note that this rice mixture is supposed to be a little mushy.
• Once the squash is fork tender, let it cool down to room temperature, or cool enough to handle. Scoop out the pulp, leaving the butternut squash shell at 1/2-inch thick.
• Add the pulp to the rice, and stir well to combine. Transfer the rice mixture evenly amongst the two shells.
• Sprinkle cheese on top (optional). If adding cheese, place the stuffed squash back into the oven and broil on high for 3 minutes, or until the cheese melts and turn golden brown on top. Keep a close eye on the broiler as things can burn quickly.
• Let the stuffed butternut squash cool for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top.

RICE-STUFFED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Cut squash in half lengthwise; discard seeds. Cut a thin slice from the bottom of each half so it sits flat. Place cut side down in an 11x7-in. baking dish; add 1/2 in. of hot water. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes., Drain water from pan; turn squash cut side up. When cool enough to handle, scoop out pulp, leaving about a 1/4-in. shell. , In a large bowl, combine the pulp, rice, cheese, cranberries, chutney, onion, curry powder, salt and pepper. Spoon into squash shells. Dot with butter. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until squash is tender.

SUNNY'S QUICK WILD RICE AND SAUSAGE STUFFED SQUASH

Steps:

• For the squash: Prick the squash all over with a fork. Place on a plate and microwave, flipping halfway through, until cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool until easy to handle.
• Cut off the squash stem, then cut the squash in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop the flesh into a large bowl, discarding the seeds and leaving about 1/4 inch of flesh within the skin to help maintain its shape. Level off the squash halves so they rest without tilting by cutting a tiny slice off each skin side. Place on a baking sheet, flesh-side up.
• Add the rice, bocconcini, raisins, walnuts, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper to the bowl with the scooped squash and mix well to combine.
• For the sausage: Add the olive oil, onions, sausage, curry powder, thyme and salt and pepper to taste to a large pan over medium-high heat. Cook, breaking up the sausage into small crumbles, until the sausage is cooked through, 5 to 10 minutes. Add to the bowl with the squash and stir to combine.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Fill the hollowed squash halves with the mixture and roast it until the cheese melts and the tops are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with the cilantro, drizzle over some olive oil and serve warm.

RICE STUFFING WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rice and bay leaves, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook as the label directs; drain well. Discard the bay leaves. Spread out the rice on a baking sheet to cool.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and butter a shallow 3-quart baking dish. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the squash, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until softened and golden, 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.
• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the leeks and celery and cook, stirring, until softened, 5 minutes. Add the broth, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; bring to a simmer, then remove from the heat.
• Whisk the egg in a large bowl. Stir in the rice, squash, leek-broth mixture, cranberries and parsley. Transfer to the baking dish; top with the pecans. Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons butter into small cubes; scatter over the pecans. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes, then uncover and bake until golden, about 20 more minutes.Special equipment: