RICE AND NUT STUFFING

Rice and Nut Stuffing image

Provided by Mark Bittman

Time 1h

Yield 6 cups, enough for a 12-pound bird

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil or butter, more as needed
Salt
2 cups long-grain brown rice, like basmati
3/4 cup pine nuts or shelled pistachios
1/2 cup raisins or currants, optional
Freshly ground pepper
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh marjoram or oregano leaves, or 2 teaspoons dried

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. If baking stuffing outside of bird, grease a 2-quart casserole, large gratin dish or 9-by-13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
Bring a large pot of water to boil; salt it. Add rice and simmer, stirring occasionally, until it becomes tender but not mushy, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain it, rinse it and drain it again.
Heat 1/4 cup oil or butter in a large deep skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes. Toss in nuts and raisins or currants, if you are using them, and stir for a minute or 2. Add rice and stir, sprinkling with salt and pepper, while cooking for another minute; rice need not get hot. Add more oil or butter as needed to moisten mixture thoroughly. Add lemon juice and half the herbs. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. (You may prepare recipe in advance up to this point; refrigerate, well wrapped or in a covered container, for up to 2 days before proceeding.)
Use stuffing to fill bird. Or put stuffing in prepared pan, cover tightly with foil and bake until rice is tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until mixture top is nicely browned, another 10 to 15 minutes or so.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 302, UnsaturatedFat 15 grams, Carbohydrate 32 grams, Fat 18 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 155 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram