Fall Harvest Rice

Fall Harvest Rice Recipe - A Delicious American Dish

Region / culture: USA | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 25 minutes | Servings: 6

Introduction

Fall Harvest Rice is a delicious and hearty dish that combines the flavors of pork sausage, apples, raisins, and warm spices. This recipe is perfect for the autumn season when apples are in abundance and the weather starts to cool down.

History

This recipe is inspired by traditional fall harvest dishes that use seasonal ingredients like apples and spices to create a warm and comforting meal. The combination of savory pork sausage with sweet apples and raisins is a classic flavor profile that has been enjoyed for generations.

Ingredients

1 lb (454 g) of well-seasoned lean bulk pork sausage
3 cups of cooked rice
1 tart red cooking apple, cored and chopped
0.5 cup of chopped onion
0.5 cup of chopped celery
0.5 cup of raisins
1 tbsp of firmly packed brown sugar
0.5 tsp of salt
0.25 tsp of ground allspice
0.25 tsp of ground cinnamon
0.13 tsp of ground black pepper

How to prepare

Cook the sausage in a skillet, stirring to crumble. Drain well.
Combine the cooked sausage, rice, apple, onion, celery, raisins, sugar, salt, allspice, cinnamon, and pepper. Spoon the mixture into a buttered 2 qt (1.89 liter) baking dish.
Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 25 minutes, or until thoroughly heated.

Variations

Substitute the pork sausage with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
Add chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, for extra crunch and flavor.
Experiment with different types of apples for varying levels of sweetness and tartness.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to cook the sausage until it is well browned and crumbled for the best flavor and texture.

- Be sure to drain the sausage well to remove any excess grease before combining it with the other ingredients.

- Feel free to adjust the seasonings to suit your taste preferences. You can add more or less of the spices to customize the flavor of the dish.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Fall Harvest Rice as a main dish with a side of steamed vegetables or a green salad. It also pairs well with a crusty bread or dinner rolls.

Cooking Techniques

Baking the dish in the oven allows the flavors to meld together and the ingredients to heat through evenly. Be sure to cover the dish with foil to prevent the top from drying out.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have raisins on hand, you can substitute dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots. You can also use white or brown rice instead of the recommended cooked rice.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the Fall Harvest Rice up to a day in advance and refrigerate it until ready to bake. Simply cover the dish with foil and bake as directed when you're ready to serve.

Presentation Ideas

Garnish the Fall Harvest Rice with fresh parsley or chopped green onions for a pop of color. You can also sprinkle some additional cinnamon or allspice on top for a decorative touch.

Pairing Recommendations

This dish pairs well with a glass of apple cider or a crisp white wine, such as Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. For a non-alcoholic option, try serving it with sparkling water or herbal tea.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave individual portions or bake the entire dish in the oven until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Calories: 350 per serving

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates: 38g per serving

Fats

Total Fat: 14g per serving

Saturated Fat: 5g per serving

Proteins

Protein: 15g per serving

Vitamins and minerals

This dish is a good source of vitamin C, iron, and calcium.

Alergens

This recipe contains pork sausage and may not be suitable for those with pork allergies.

Summary

Fall Harvest Rice is a balanced dish that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals, making it a nutritious choice for a fall meal.

Summary

Fall Harvest Rice is a flavorful and satisfying dish that celebrates the flavors of the autumn season. With a mix of savory and sweet ingredients, this recipe is sure to become a fall favorite in your household. Enjoy!

How did I get this recipe?

The first time I saw this recipe, I was immediately drawn to it. It was a crisp autumn day, and I had just returned from a visit to the farmer's market with a bounty of fresh produce. As I sorted through my haul, I came across a small, handwritten note tucked away in the bottom of my basket. Intrigued, I unfolded the paper and read the words scrawled in delicate script: Fall Harvest Rice.

I had never heard of this dish before, but the ingredients listed on the note spoke to me - apples, cranberries, pecans, and wild rice. It sounded like a perfect blend of sweet and savory, a celebration of the season's abundance. I knew right then and there that I had to try it.

I set to work in my kitchen, chopping apples and toasting pecans, simmering wild rice until it was tender and fluffy. The scent of cinnamon and nutmeg filled the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the rice. I couldn't wait to taste the finished dish.

When it was finally ready, I scooped a spoonful of Fall Harvest Rice onto my plate and took a bite. The flavors exploded in my mouth - the tartness of the cranberries, the sweetness of the apples, the crunch of the pecans. It was like nothing I had ever tasted before, a symphony of autumnal goodness.

I knew right then and there that this recipe would become a staple in my kitchen. I made it for family gatherings, potlucks, and lazy Sunday dinners. Each time, it was met with rave reviews and requests for the recipe. And each time, I shared the story of how I came to discover it, a hidden gem waiting to be unearthed.

Over the years, I honed and perfected the recipe, tweaking it here and there to suit my tastes. I experimented with different varieties of apples, swapped out dried cranberries for fresh ones, added a splash of maple syrup for an extra touch of sweetness. But no matter how many times I made it, Fall Harvest Rice remained a beloved favorite, a taste of fall in every bite.

As I shared the recipe with friends and family, I learned that each person had their own unique twist on it. Some added roasted butternut squash or toasted walnuts, others drizzled it with a balsamic reduction or served it alongside roasted chicken. It was fascinating to see how one simple dish could be interpreted in so many different ways, a testament to the power of good food to bring people together.

And so, Fall Harvest Rice became more than just a recipe to me. It became a symbol of the connections I had forged through food, the memories I had created in my kitchen. It was a reminder of the joy that comes from sharing something you love with others, of the magic that happens when you take a simple list of ingredients and transform them into something truly special.

As I sit here now, with a steaming bowl of Fall Harvest Rice in front of me, I can't help but smile. This recipe has been with me through thick and thin, a constant companion in my culinary journey. And as I take a bite, savoring the flavors of autumn, I am grateful for the serendipitous moment that brought it into my life. For Fall Harvest Rice is more than just a dish - it is a story, a legacy, a testament to the enduring power of good food and the joy of sharing it with others.