Wild Rice Bread Dressing With Apple Nuts Cranberries Food

WILD AND BROWN RICE DRESSING WITH APPLES, PECANS AND CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, simmer the wild rice in 4 1/2 cups broth, salt to taste, until the grains start to break open; drain off any liquid, return to the pot and stretch a clean kitchen towel beneath the lid and let sit 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a smaller saucepan, simmer the brown rice, with 1 1/2 cups broth, salt, until tender and all the liquid has been absorbed, 35 to 40 minutes; turn off heat and stretch a clean kitchen towel under the lid and let sit 10 to 15 minutes.
• In a large skillet, heat oil, over medium heat, and cook the onion, stirring often, until it begins to soften, about 3 minutes.
• Add celery and a generous pinch of salt, and continue cooking another 3 or 4 minutes; stir in garlic, if using, and cook 30 seconds.
• Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl; add rices and toss well.
• Increase the heat in the skillet to medium high and add the butter; when the foaming subsides, add apple, stirring until they begin to caramelize, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add to the rice mixture; add remaining ingredients, toss and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F; grease a large baking dish with butter or oil.
• Transfer rice mixture to baking dish, cover with aluminum foil, and warm in oven for 20 to 30 minutes.
• NOTE: The rices can be cooked up to 3 days in advance. The entire dish is better the second day, so you can make it a day ahead and heat the day you are serving it.

WILD RICE, APPLE, AND DRIED-CRANBERRY STUFFING

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, then add rice and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until rice is tender and most grains are split open, 1 to 1 1/4 hours (not all liquid will be absorbed). Drain well in a colander and spread out in a baking pan to cool completely.
• Put oven rack in upper third of oven and preheat oven to 350°F.
• Spread bread cubes in a shallow baking pan and bake in upper third of oven until dry, about 20 minutes.
• Melt 1 stick butter in a large nonstick skillet over moderate heat, then cook onion and celery, stirring, until softened, about 8 minutes. Add apple and cook, stirring, until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in herbs, pepper, and remaining teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and toss with rice, bread, and dried cranberries.
• Increase oven temperature to 450°F and butter a shallow 3-quart baking dish (13 by 9 inches).
• Spread stuffing evenly in baking dish and drizzle with turkey stock and melted butter. Bake, covered tightly with foil, in upper third of oven until heated through, about 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake until top is browned, 10 to 15 minutes more.