Grilled Portobellos Filled with Wild Rice-Almond Pilaf and Piquillo Pepper Vinaigrette

Tons of snow outside, back in bed with my third cup of coffee and inspiration from Mr. Bobby Flay is in full play. For those you you who are being asked to bring a side dish or if you are looking to freshen up your Thanksgiving menu, this is a creativity, taste, visual winner. Also, who doesn't want to give the guys a job on the BBQ? Of course make sure grilling duties hit at half-time and after Madden has shared his 6-legged turkey!

Grilled Portobellos Filled with Wild Rice-Almond Pilaf and Piquillo Pepper Vinaigrette

Ingredients

• 8 medium-sized portobello caps
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Wild rice pilaf (recipe follows)
• Piquillo Pepper Vinaigrette (recipe follows)
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
  

Directions

• Heat grill to high.
• Brush both sides of mushrooms with oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Grill caps until golden brown on both sides and just cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Fill the caps with the wild rice pilaf, drizzle the piquillo vinaigrette and sprinkle tops with the toasted almonds.
  

Wild Rice Pilaf:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups wild rice
• 3 cups chicken stock, plus 1/2 cup
• 2 cups water
• Salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  

Instructions:

• Place wild rice in a colander and rinse well with cold water.
• Combine 3 cups of the stock and the water in a large saucepan with a tablespoon of salt and bring to a boil.
• Add the rice and cook until the grains open and are very soft, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Drain well.
• Heat oil in a large saute pan over high heat.
• Add the onion and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the wine and cook until reduced by half.
• Add the cooked wild rice, thyme, rosemary and remaining 1/2 cup of stock and season with salt and pepper and cook until heated through and flavors combine, 15 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and fold in the parsley.
  

Piquillo Pepper Vinaigrette:

Ingredients:

• 5 piquillo peppers, chopped (these are really just jarred, roasted red peppers in olive oil
• 1/2 small red onion, coarsely chopped
• 8 cloves roasted garlic, peeled
• 1/4 cup sherry vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup canola oil (you can use less)

Instructions:

• Combine peppers, onion, garlic, vinegar, honey, mustard, and salt and pepper in a blender and blend until smooth.
• With the motor running, slowly add the oil and blend until emulsified.