Acorn Squash W/ Wild Rice, Cranberries, Nuts & Hickory Tofu
- 4 acorn squash or 4 dumpling squash
- 14 teaspoon salt, plus extra to taste
- fresh ground black pepper
- freshly ground nutmeg
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 12 cups wild rice
- 1 34 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
- 12 cup parsley, fresh, minced
- 1 (6 ounce) packagehickory baked tofu
- 34 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
- 34 cup dried sweetened cranberries
- Preheat the oven to 350F
- 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.
- Sprinkle each half with a little salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste.
- Using 2 Tablespoons of the butter, dot each half with some butter.
- Cover the pan with foil and bake the squash just until moist and tender, about 45 minutes.
- 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 dont burn!
- 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.
- In a 10-inch saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Swirl to coat the pan and saute the onion, garlic, celery and carrot until slightly softened, about 3 minutes.
- Cover the pan, adjust the heat to medium-low, and cook the vegetables until crisp-tender, 5 minutes longer.
- Add the sage, thyme, and parsley and saute 1 more minute.
- Remove from heat.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, sauteed 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.
- Cut the remaining 2 Tablespoons of butter into small pieces.
- Dot each stuffed squash with butter.
- Cover with foil.
- Bake at 350 F until heated through, about 20 minutes.
- Serve.
acorn, salt, fresh ground black pepper, freshly ground nutmeg, unsalted butter, wild rice, vegetable broth, olive oil, yellow onion, garlic, celery, carrot, sage, thyme, parsley, walnuts, cranberries
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/acorn-squash-w-wild-rice-cranberries-nuts-hickory-tofu-442771 (may not work)