Black And Brown Rice Dressing With Walnuts And Pears

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups black rice (like forbidden rice or lundberg black japonica)
• 1/2 cup brown rice
• 1 quart chicken broth
• kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, minced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 pears, peeled cored and cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 1/2 cup walnuts, lightly toasted coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup red lentil, soaked in cold water (covered for 2/3 hours and drained)
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries (optional for color)
• 2 tablespoons fresh sage, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, roughly chopped

Recipe

• 1 cook the black and brown rices in separate saucepans, using 1 part rice to 2 parts broth, following package directions for timing (about 35 to 40 minutes); once rice is tender, turn off heat and place a clean kitchen towel under saucepan lids and let rice sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
• 2 transfer both rices to a large bowl.
• 3 meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil, over medium heat, and add onion; cook, stirring often, until onion starts to soften, about 3 minutes.
• 4 add celery and a generous pinch of salt, and continue cooking about 3 or 4 minutes more; add garlic, if using, and cook 30 seconds.
• 5 remove from heat and add to bowl of rice.
• 6 increase heat under skillet to medium high and add butter; once foaming subsides, add the pears and cook, stirring, until they are lightly seared and translucent, about 3 minutes.
• 7 add pears to rice.
• 8 add remaining ingredients to rice and gently toss; taste and adjust seasonings.
• 9 preheat oven to 325 degrees f; grease a large baking dish with either oil or butter.
• 10 place rice mixture into prepared baking dish, cover with aluminum foil, and place in oven until heated through, about 20 to 30 minutes.
• 11 note: the rice can be cooked up to 3 days in advance. the stuffing is better if made a day in advance.