Salads to the Rescue
The pandemic changed everything in most workplaces, including hospitals. At Bartlett Regional Hospital (BRH), staff built virus screening areas at the entrances, ventilated rooms specifically for COVI...
Ingredients
- 1½ cups (about 9 ounces) uncooked wild rice blend, such as Lundberg
- 2¾ cups chicken broth, divided
- 2 bay leaves
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 leeks, trimmed, halved lengthwise, and finely chopped
- 2 carrots, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons fresh sage, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 pound fresh wild mushrooms, cut into large pieces
- 1 cup unsweetened dried cranberries
- 1 cup roasted and peeled whole chestnuts (such as Gefen), or toasted pecans, chopped
- 1 tablespoon white truffle oil, optional
- Fresh sage leaves, for garnish
Preparation
Stir together rice, 2½ cups chicken broth, bay leaves, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until liquid is absorbed, 40–45 minutes. Remove from heat, and let stand, covered, until rice is tender, about 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork, and set aside.
While rice cooks, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add leeks, carrots, celery, shallots, and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks are crisp-tender, about 8 minutes. Add chopped sage and thyme leaves, and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add mushrooms and remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and cook, stirring often, until mushrooms are tender and lightly browned, 10–15 minutes. Transfer mushroom mixture to a large bowl; fold in wild rice, cranberries, chestnuts, remaining ¼ cup chicken broth, remaining 1¼ teaspoons salt, and, if using, truffle oil until well mixed. Transfer to a serving dish, and top with sage leaves.
Optional: add some leftover chopped chicken or turkey.
Note: This can be made 2 days ahead, refrigerated, and served as a rice salad. Bring to room temperature and garnish with sage just before serving.
Sponsored by Bartlett Regional Hospital.
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