Shayda’s Berries & Mango Wild Rice Stuffing

DESCRIPTION:

This stuffing recipe is adapted from my classic stuffing that I used to make back in the days before becoming plant based. It’s always been vegan, but now it’s salt, oil, sugar free and it’s free of nuts, seeds and it’s gluten free. This wild rice stuffing is full of fall flavors as it incorporates mushrooms, cauliflower, butternut squash, barberries, dried mango and aromatic spices. This scrumptious stuffing is a Thanksgiving centerpiece when it’s served in individual pumpkins. It’s a must to make for Thanksgiving and the holidays. In fact, it’s delicious anytime of the year!

INGREDIENTS:

5 cups cooked wild rice
1 sweet onion, diced
4-5 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup carrots, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1 med head cauliflower, diced
1 cup shiitake & baby Bella mushrooms, chopped
2 cups butternut squash, diced
1 med red bell pepper, diced
1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup dried barberries, soaked in water for 15-20 minutes
1/2 -3/4 cup dried mango, chopped
2 Teaspoon dried rosemary
1 Teaspoon dried sage
1 Tablespoon poultry seasoning
2-3 Tablespoon nutritional yeast
Ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, (optional)

PREPARATION:

1-Cook wild rice to your preferred method of cooking. Set aside in a large bowl.
2-Soak the barberries for about 15-20 minutes. Rinse and drain and set aside.
3-In a large pan over medium heat, dry sauté the sweet onion, carrots, celery and bell pepper. Cover the pan so that you sweat out the vegetables. If they start to stick to the pan, add a little water. Sauté until the are aldente. About 7-8 minutes.
4-Next, to the pan add mushrooms, cauliflower, butternut squash and garlic. Continue sautéing until tender. At this point turn off the heat and remove the pan.
5-Add to the pan, parsley, barberries, dried mango, all your spices, walnut if using, and mix until well incorporated.
6-Take all the pan mixture and add everything to the rice bowl. Mix well.

Preheat the oven at 350 degrees, 2 options for serving….

1-Pour the stuffing mixture in a oven safe casserole dish and bake in the oven, uncovered for 25-30 minutes. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar before serving. Top with some pomegranate arils.
2-To serve stuffing in individual pumpkins, bake the small pumpkins in the oven at 350 degrees for about 35-40 minutes. Do not over cook. Once cool enough to handle, cut the lid off and scoop out the insides, leaving a hollow cavity.