Wild Rice, Sausage and Fennel Stuffing

By dfarber

Ingredients

• 3 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups wild rice (about 9 oz) rinsed, drained
• 1 cup water
• 2 teaspoons fennel seeds
• 1 pound sweet italian sausage, casings removed
• 3 small fennel bulbs trimmed, chopped (about 2 1/2 cups)
• 3/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts (optional)

Details

Servings 6

Preparation

Step 1

Combine broth, rice, 1 cup water and fennel seeds in heavy large sauce pan over medium-high heat. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer until rice is tender, stirring occasionally, about 55 minutes. Drain.
Saute sausage in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through, breaking up with back of spoon, about 10 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer sausage to paper towels and drain. Add chopped fennel bulbs and onions to drippings in skillet. Saute over medium-high heat until vegetables are golden, about 10 minutes. Add rice and sausage to skillet. Saute until heated through, about 3 minutes. Stir in walnuts, if desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl and serve. If using as stuffing, cool completely and fill bird.