Wild rice, butternut squash, chestnuts, hydnum mushrooms, and a subtle apple taste. This is the best of winter on a plate.
Cook your rice of preference according to the specific variety instructions. I have used wild rice from a Greek farm which I simmered in salted water for 50 minutes. For the following quantities, I used 200 gr, enough for 4 large portions combined with the vegetables.
In the meantime, in a smoking hot non-stick pan sear:
Hydnum mushrooms, picked apart by hand in bite size pieces, 2 cups (or any other variety of course)
When lightly coloured, remove somewhere, and oil the pan, turning the heat to medium. Add:
Onion, 1 small piece in small cubes
Garlic, finely cut, 2 cloves
let them sizzle in the hot oil for a few seconds, and add:
Shaoxing Wine, 2 tbsp
followed by:
Butternut Squash, half of the top of a small one, peeled and cut very finely in 2 * 2 cm pieces
Apple Juice (bought), enough to cover the vegetables.
Put a lid on, and turn heat down to maintain a steady simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes until the squash has softened. Remove lid, turn heat up a bit and add:
Chestnuts, pre-boiled and roughly chopped, 2 cups
Raisins, 1/2 cup
The mushrooms
The rice
Smoked Paprika, 1 tsp
Salt
Stir everything together, taste and adjust seasoning. Leave for a couple of minutes to evaporate the liquid, and take off heat.
Garnish with:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Thyme leaves
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