CROWN ROAST WITH WILD RICE STUFFING

Crown Roast with Wild Rice Stuffing image

My mom made this tender, juicy crown roast for Christmas once. It was an impressive and memorable change from traditional stuffing. -Christine Frazier, Auburndale, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 2h15m

Yield 16 servings (12 cups stuffing).

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 pork crown roast (16 ribs and about 9 pounds)
1 cup unsweetened apple juice
STUFFING:
2 quarts water
2 cups uncooked wild rice
2 teaspoons salt, optional
1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
2 medium onions, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
2 pounds seasoned bulk pork sausage
OPTIONAL GARNISH:
Fresh kale and pickled whole beets

Steps:

Combine the salt, thyme, fennel and pepper; sprinkle over roast. Place on a rack in a large shallow roasting pan. Cover rib ends with foil. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 2 to 2-1/2 hours or until a thermometer reads 145°, basting occasionally with apple juice., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, bring water, rice and salt if desired to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes or until rice is tender., In a large skillet, saute mushrooms and onions in butter until tender. Transfer to a large bowl. In same skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Drain rice; add rice and sausage to mushroom mixture and stir until blended., Remove roast from oven; tent with foil. Let stand 15 minutes. Remove foil. Spoon stuffing into center of roast. Garnish platter with kale and beets if desired. To serve, carve between ribs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 516 calories, Fat 27g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 111mg cholesterol, Sodium 475mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 43g protein.