Senator Al Frankens Wild Rice Stuffing Recipes

POMEGRANATE GLAZED TURKEY WITH WILD RICE AND CHESTNUT STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to high heat.
• Season the turkey with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes.
• Mix the rice, chestnuts, onion, and herbs together in a baking dish. Top with crumbled goat cheese. Cover with foil and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the turkey on the grill and grill each side over high heat until nicely browned, about 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Turn the heat down to low and move the turkey pieces to a higher rack in the grill. Close the lid of the grill and let cook slowly, turning occasionally, for 30 to 40 minutes. Then begin brushing the pomegranate juice on the turkey and continue until the turkey is cooked through; an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, away from the bone should register 175 degrees F. Remove the turkey from the grill, transfer to a cutting board, and let it stand, loosely covered with foil, for 15 minutes before carving.
• Place the stuffing in the oven and let warm for 10 minutes. Serve stuffing with turkey. Bring any remaining pomegranate juice to a simmer and drizzle over the turkey.

GRANDMA'S SAUSAGE AND RICE STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat, until browned; remove with a slotted spoon to a large bowl. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, then add the onion, beef and veal, season with a big pinch of salt and cook, stirring, until browned, about 10 minutes; add to the bowl with the sausage.
• Meanwhile, cook the rice according to the package directions until al dente. Combine the rice, meat mixture, mozzarella, Parmesan and chicken broth in a large bowl.
• Place the mixture in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bake until the cheese is melted, about 20 minutes.

WILD RICE WITH ROSEMARY AND CASHEW STUFFING

Steps:

• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onions until tender and translucent. Stir in mushrooms, and saute until soft. Add rosemary, and cook for 1 minute. Stir in cashews, and cook for 1 minute. Transfer to a medium saucepan.
• Pour in chicken stock, and stir in rice. Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until water is absorbed. Remove from heat, and let stand for 5 minutes. Stuff into the cavity of a small roasting chicken.

SENATOR AL FRANKEN'S: WILD RICE STUFFING

Steps:

• 1. In a colander, rinse the wild rice. 2. Put the rice in a pot, and cover with 3 inches of water. Boil in a pot, uncovered, for about 20 to 25 minutes. If you're using Mahnomen wild rice, it will cook more quickly than the paddy variety. 3. While the rice is boiling, slice (do not mince) the mushrooms, onions, garlic, and celery. 4. Melt the butter in a skillet, and sauté the onions, garlic, and celery until they begin to bleed a little liquid into the butter. Then add the mushrooms. The celery and onions should not be totally soft. 5. Once the rice has cooked, drain it and add to the sautéed vegetables. 6. Add salt to taste, and stuff into the turkey before roasting. The rest can be eaten as a side dish at dinner.