easy rice dishes [ Wild Rice Dressing ]

Ingredients

• 1/4 cups water
• 1 14 1/2 ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup wild rice
• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 3/4 cup dried cherries
• 2 tablespoons port or cranberry juice
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
• 3/4 cup chopped leeks
• 1/2 cup chopped carrot (1 medium)
• 1/4 cup snipped fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh sage
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Directions

1. In a large saucepan combine the water and broth. Bring to boiling. Stir in uncooked wild rice. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 25 minutes. Stir in uncooked white rice. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, about 20 minutes more or until tender. Drain off any excess liquid. Cool to room temperature.
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine dried cherries and port. Let stand, covered, for 20 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium saucepan melt butter over medium heat. Add celery, leeks, and carrot; cook and stir about 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in parsley, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper; cook and stir for 1 minute more.
4. Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole; set aside. In a large bowl combine cooked rice, cherry mixture, vegetable mixture, and almonds. Transfer to the prepared casserole.
5. Bake, covered, for 35 to 40 minutes or until heated through, stirring once or twice.

From the Test Kitchen

Prepare as directed through Step 4. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours. To serve, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. If desired, drizzle dressing with 1/4 cup additional reduced-sodium chicken broth to moisten. Bake as directed.

Nutrition Facts (Wild Rice Dressing)

Per serving:
• 212 kcal cal.,
• 7 g fat
• (3 g sat. fat,
• 1 g polyunsaturated fat,
• 3 g monounsatured fat),
• 10 mg chol.,
• 220 mg sodium,
• 33 g carb.,
• 3 g fiber,
• 7 g sugar,
• 5 g pro.
• Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet