Acorn Squash W/ Wild Rice, Cranberries, Nuts & Hickory Tofu |
|
 |
Prep Time: 1 Minutes Cook Time: 20 Minutes |
Ready In: 21 Minutes Servings: 6 |
|
Acorn Squash Stuffed With Wild Rice, Cranberries, Walnuts and Hickory Tofu. Vegetarian Thanksgiving and Christmas favorite Ingredients:
4 acorn squash or 4 dumpling squash |
1/4 teaspoon salt, plus extra to taste |
fresh ground black pepper |
freshly ground nutmeg |
4 tablespoons unsalted butter |
1 1/2 cups wild rice |
1 3/4 cups vegetable broth (chicken broth will work too) |
3 tablespoons olive oil |
1 yellow onion, large, finely chopped |
2 garlic cloves, minced |
2 celery ribs, large, finely chopped |
1 carrot, large, peeled and finely chopped |
1 tablespoon sage, fresh, minced |
1 tablespoon thyme, fresh, minced |
1/2 cup parsley, fresh, minced |
1 (6 ounce) package hickory baked tofu |
3/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted |
3/4 cup dried sweetened cranberries |
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F
2. Cut each squash in half cross-wise. Scoop out and discard the seeds and strings. If necessary, trim the top and the bottom so that the squash will sit level like a little bowl, and place on a rimmed baking sheet, cut-side up.
3. Sprinkle each half with a little salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste.
4. Using 2 Tablespoons of the butter, dot each half with some butter.
5. Cover the pan with foil and bake the squash just until moist and tender, about 45 minutes.
6. At the same time you can roast your chopped walnuts. Toasting nuts brings out their full, rich flavor! Place the nuts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350 F oven until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Alternately, the nuts can be browned in a microwave. Place in a single layer on a microwave safe plate, and microwave on high power for 2 to 3 minutes, or until lightly browned. Watch carefully so they don’t burn!
7. Meanwhile, combine the rice, vegetable broth, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 2 cups of water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer, partially cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender, about 40 minutes.
8. In a 10-inch sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
9. Swirl to coat the pan and sauté the onion, garlic, celery and carrot until slightly softened, about 3 minutes.
10. Cover the pan, adjust the heat to medium-low, and cook the vegetables until crisp-tender, 5 minutes longer.
11. Add the sage, thyme, and parsley and sauté 1 more minute. Remove from heat.
12. In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, sautéed vegetables, tofu, walnuts, and cranberries. Taste and add more salt and pepper (if necessary). Using the squash halves as small bowls, mound the rice mixture into the squash halves, dividing it evenly.
13. Cut the remaining 2 Tablespoons of butter into small pieces. Dot each stuffed squash with butter.
14. Cover with foil. Bake at 350 F until heated through, about 20 minutes. Serve.
|
|