Stuff the Bird with Wild Rice

Did you know that wild rice isn’t a grain? It’s the seed from a marsh grass that was once a staple in Native American diets. Wild rice is naturally gluten-free but be careful when buying boxed wild rice mixes.

Wild rice is extremely nutritious with nearly twice the protein and fiber of brown rice (which you know is so much better than white rice). It’s also rich with vitamin B, potassium, magnesium, and zinc.

I thought the nutty flavor and chewy texture would work well in a wild rice stuffing recipe. Apparently, this is a common use other than pilaf for this rice. I found hundreds of recipes online but of course had to put my own twist on it by changing up the vegetables.

This recipe would be enough to stuff a small turkey, so scale accordingly if you are using a different poultry or larger bird.

Wild Rice Stuffing

Ingredients

• 4 ounces wild rice
• 4 teaspoons chicken boullion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
• 1 cup hot water
• 8 ounces seasoned stuffing mix

Cooking Directions

1. Cook rice as directed on the package and use 3 teaspoons of the boullion in water before adding rice.
2. In a medium skillet cook celery, onion and pepper until almost soft.
3. Dissolve remaining bouillon in the cup of hot water.
4. In a large bowl combine the rice, vegetables, bouillon liquid, stuffing mix and poultry seasoning.
5. Mix well and stuff bird.
6. Cook as directed for stuff birds of that poundage.