Charleston Gold Brown Rice Stuffing
introduction
We knew that if wild birds loved our rice in the fields as much as they do, our rice would love them back. An understatement! In possession of all the satisfying savory elements that make traditional Thanksgiving stuffing memorable—sausage, mushrooms, onions, herbs, chicken stock, and eggs—this bread stuffing wannabe with our fabulous Charleston Gold Brown Rice met its challenge with such authority it nearly transcends that which inspired it. And while it certainly isn’t soufflé-light, it’s no gut bomb either. This stuffing will be on our Thanksgiving table this year, not as a replacement for its bread counterpart, but as a superb alternative.
Cooking Remarks
This, being brown rice, can take a stovetop parcook followed by a spell in the oven without overcooking. To coax the best possible performance and fullest flavor expression in the grains, however, please soak the rice overnight in water at room temperature. If you forget, minimally give the grains a 4-hour soak.
We call for the rice to cook at your stove’s “lowest possible setting.” If, however, you’re working on an electric range, the lowest possible setting may well be inadequate. On the other hand, if you’re working with a professional-strength gas burner, low heat may be too high and you may need a flame tamer. Use your judgement.
Seasoning may require adjustments based on the saltiness of the sausage.
Reheat leftover stuffing in a 325-degree oven until warmed through, about 30 minutes. It is also very good cold.
equipment mise en place
For this recipe, you will need a medium bowl and a large bowl, a colander, a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan, aluminum foil, a heavy-bottomed 12-inch skillet, a 2-cup liquid measuring cup, a small whisk, a 2-quart broilersafe casserole, and a basting brush.
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2cups (14 ounces) Anson Mills Charleston Gold Brown Rice, rinsed and drained
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1small Turkish bay leaf
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Fine sea salt
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1tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
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12ounces bulk pork breakfast sausage
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1tablespoon unsalted butter, plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
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2cups minced yellow onion (about 2 medium)
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1cup finely diced celery
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12ounces portobello mushrooms, stemmed, scraped of gills, and finely diced
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1tablespoon minced garlic
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½teaspoon red pepper flakes
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Pinch of ground nutmeg
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¼cup minced fresh sage leaves
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1tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves
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1teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
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Freshly ground black pepper
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2large eggs
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½cup half-and-half
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The night before you plan to make the stuffing, turn the rice into a medium bowl, add water to cover, and let it soak at room temperature until the following morning. Should you find yourself short on time, 4 hours will be adequate.
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Drain the rice in a colander and shake the colander well—really well. Pour 2 cups of the stock into a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan. Wrap the pan’s lid in aluminum foil. Add the bay leaf and 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in the rice, cover, and reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting. Cook gently without peeking for 25 minutes. Uncover the pot and have a look. The rice should have absorbed nearly, if not all, of the stock and look plump and inviting (fig. 2.1). It will be mostly done but still slightly al dente. Give it a stir. If the rice is still very firm and there is liquid remaining in the saucepan, re-cover the pan and return it to low heat for 5 minutes more, and then check again. Turn the rice into a large bowl and set it aside.
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In a heavy-bottomed 12-inch skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Break the sausage into smallish chunks and lay them in the skillet. Cook without stirring for a few minutes, and then scrape up and turn the sausage and continue to cook, breaking up the larger pieces, until the sausage is nicely browned (fig. 3.1), about 7 minutes total. Transfer the sausage to the bowl with the rice. Return the skillet to medium heat and melt the 1 tablespoon butter. Add the onion and cook until golden brown, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Add the celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook until they release their juices, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir the garlic into the vegetables and sauté until its aroma blooms, about 10 seconds. Remove from the heat. Add the red pepper flakes, nutmeg, sage, thyme, lemon zest, ¼ teaspoon salt (or more if your sausage isn’t very salty), and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Stir to combine (fig. 3.2). Taste for seasoning, and then turn the mixture into the bowl with the rice and sausage.
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Adjust oven racks to the middle and upper-middle positions and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 2-quart broilersafe casserole with 1 tablespoon of the room-temperature butter and set it aside. In a 2-cup liquid measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, the remaining 1 cup chicken stock, and the half-and-half. Pour this over the rice mixture and mix well.
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Turn the stuffing into the prepared casserole, distributing it in an even layer (fig. 5.1). Cover with foil and bake on the middle rack for 40 minutes. Remove the casserole from the oven and take a peek under the foil. It should be firm and have absorbed all the liquid. If this is not the case, replace the foil and return the casserole to the oven for 5 to 10 minutes longer. Remove the casserole from the oven and heat the broiler. Uncover the stuffing and brush the top with the remaining 1 tablespoon room-temperature butter. Broil on the upper rack until the surface is crisp and browned (fig. 5.2); timing will vary depending on your broiler, so watch carefully. Serve hot.
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2.1
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3.1
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3.2
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5.1
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5.2
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