Vegetarian Christmas Stuffing?!

Yes, it can be done. Just don't put the stuffing in the turkey.

I recently made another of my FAVOURITE Christmas classics: stuffing. This dish is simple to pull together and can easily be made with leftover rice, quinoa, corn (or other grainy) bread, and a few aromatic vegetables.

RECIPE: Vegetarian Stuffing

Ingredients:
1 cup wild rice
2 cups quinoa

2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 onions, diced
1 head celery, diced
2-4 tbsp poultry seasoning
1-2 cups craisins or fresh cranberries
nuts or seeds (I like pine nuts or almonds here)
salt & pepper

grainy bread; stale, cubed (optional)
1 cup broth (optional)
1/2 cup butter or garlic confit and oil (optional)

Method:
> cook the wild rice per package instructions or add 3 cups water to 1 cup rice in a pot, bring to the boil, turn to low, cover, and simmer 1 hour
> remove from the heat and fluff with a fork; set aside

> cook the quinoa; red, black, or white; per package instructions or add 4 cups water to 2 cups quinoa, bring to the boil, turn to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes
> remove from the heat and fluff with a fork; set aside

> in a large skillet, heat the oil and gently fry the onion until it starts to turn translucent

> add the diced celery into the pan

> add the poultry seasoning to taste; if you do not have poultry seasoning, make your own: 1 tbsp sage, 1 tsp garlic, thyme, and rosemary in place of 2 tbsp poultry seasoning

> in a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, quinoa, herbed onion & celery, craisins, nuts & seeds, cubed bread, and either broth or butter or garlic confit; mix together well

> pour it all into a lined oven-proof casserole dish or pan and bake at 190ºC (375ºF) until the top is golden

REASONS I LOVE THIS DISH: I can...

> use up leftovers - rice, quinoa, lentils, barley, steel cut oats, etc.

> make this dish ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze it until I am ready to bake it

> change it based on allergies or sensitivities

> bake it beside the turkey, cutting down cook time for both and increasing energy efficiency

> everyone LOVES this dish!!

> add cubed winter vegetables like yam, squash, or parsnip for more vegetable content

What are your favourite stuffing ingredients?