Add local rice to your holiday menu

Looking for something a little different for your holiday menu this year?

Consider adding Orange Wild Rice with Raisins and Apples to your lineup. Apples, raisins and orange juice add some sweetness to the savory rice, and the almonds give it a bit of added texture. Leaving out the parsley will allow more of the fruity notes to come through.

Orange Wild Rice with Raisins and Apples

Makes about 4 servings

2 cups cooked wild rice/brown rice medley
1 cup raisins
¼ cup slivered almonds, toasted
4 Tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 Tablespoons grated orange zest
1 Granny Smith apple, diced
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons orange juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 
2. In large bowl, combine the cooked rice with the rest of the ingredients. 
3. Stir gently until all the ingredients are well mixed.
4. Pour the rice mixture into a deep baking dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
5. Place the covered dish into the oven. Cook for 20 minutes or until the rice mixture is hot.
6. Serve and enjoy!

Adapted from a recipe by Stella Lindsey, Bolivar County

Rice is a heart-healthy food, rich in 15 vitamins and minerals. Wild, brown, red and black rice are also 100 percent whole grain. Rice is a good choice if you need to serve guests with food allergies. It is gluten-free and is less allergenic than other grains. Learn more about the health benefits of rice here.

You can even find Mississippi-grown rice and rice products to serve. Check out our previous blog post for information on where to buy these items. You may also consider giving them as gifts.

Learn more about Mississippi rice production here.