Okay guys, are you ready to be wowed by a recipe?   Are you tired of the same ole Thanksgiving recipes that you already know are going to be on the table and are wanting to switch things up this year and bring a little something “extra” to the table that leaves your guests wanting more?  Then I have the recipe for you! I took all of the flavors about stuffing that I love and turned it into a rice dish filled with apples, sausage, and brussel sprouts that is going to have you and your guests wanting to make this dish not only for Thanksgiving, but all year long!  My brussel sprout, apple, and sausage rice stuffing is going to become everyone’s new favorite Thanksgiving recipe without a doubt and pairs perfectly with any Thanksgiving menu.

As most of you know, my hubby grew up in Louisiana where dirty rice or rice dressing was a staple in his house, holidays included.  Still to this day, he loves a rice dish probably because, similar to the way I always feel nostalgic about fried okra and cornbread from an old iron skillet, it just feels, taste, and smells like home. (I am sure that you can relate to a similar dish that you always had growing up that brings back memories for you.) As a result of my husband’s love for all things rice, I have since been converted to a rice loving gal myself, and while I am usually a traditional stuffing at Thanksgiving, my brussel sprout, sausage, and apple rice stuffing gives it a run for it’s money this year. Don’t get me wrong, I won’t be throwing my regular stuffing to the curb..nope I’ll probably just have to start making them both because honestly I don’t think I could choose which one I like better.

For this dish, wild rice is tossed with sautéed veggies, sausage, apples, and perfectly seared brussel sprouts. These flavors combined, take ordinary ingredients and turn them into something special. This rice stuffing is a great option for those of you who are either gluten intolerant yourself or have loved ones that are and never get to enjoy the traditional stuffing! You can also omit the sausage to make this dish entirely vegetarian too.

My Cajun hubby 100% approves of this rice dish, so much so, that he told me I need to make this for dinner on the regular!  It’s just that good folks and it needs to be on your menu this Thanksgiving!

Ingredients:

• 1 Lb. Pork Breakfast Sausage or Sausage of Choice

• 1/2 Cup Diced Celery

• 1/2 Cup Diced Onion

• 2 Finely Minced Garlic Cloves

• 1/2 Cup Diced Fennel

• 1/2 Cup Diced Apple

• 1 Tsp. Chopped Fresh Rosemary

• 1 Tsp. Chopped Fresh Sage

• 1 Tsp. Chopped Fresh Thyme

• 1 Tbsp. Kosher Salt + 1 Tsp.

• 1/2 Tsp. Black Pepper + 1/2 Tsp.

• 1 Tbsp. Avocado Oil

• 1 Tbsp. Butter

• 4 Cup Cooked Wild Rice

• 2 Cups Brussel Sprouts, stems removed and cut in half

Directions:

• Add sausage to a large skillet and cook until browned. Remove from the skillet and drain any excess grease on a paper towel lined plate.

• Add oil and butter to the skillet and place brussel sprouts cut side down and let sear for 2 minutes without touching. Season with 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Once the cut side is browned, sauté for another 2 minutes until brussels are bright green but still have some bite. Remove them from the skillet.

• Add celery, onion, garlic, fennel and apple to the skillet and season with 1/2 Tbsp. of salt and 1/4 Tsp. black pepper and sauté until the veggies become tender, about 2-3 minutes.

• Add in fresh herbs and sauté for another 2-3 minutes.

• Add sausage back into the skillet and along with the cooked wild rice and cooked brussel sprouts.

• Season with the rest of the salt and pepper and stir to combine.

• Cook another 2-3 minutes until flavors have combined well and serve immediately.

*Note: You can also stuff the turkey with this stuffing.

Not only is this rice stuffing full of flavor, but it’s also really beautiful served right in the skillet on your Thanksgiving table!