Artichokes Stuffed with Chicken and California Wild Rice

Executive Chef Lina Fat

This elegant dish makes the most of two upscale California classics—California Wild Rice and artichokes

½  cup California wild rice
1 ½  cups chicken stock
4 medium globe artichokes
2 cups diced cooked chicken (about 9 ounces)
1 large celery stalk, diced
1 medium red apple, diced
2   scallions, thinly sliced
2 Tablespoons minced tarragon (or 2 teaspoons dried)
3 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2     Tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  Pinch sugar
  Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Bring wild rice and stock to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until kernels just puff open, 45 to 50 minutes. Drain if necessary and transfer to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled.

Meanwhile, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Trim stems, lower leaves and tops from artichokes. Add 1 tablespoon salt and artichokes to water. Reduce to a gentle simmer, cover and cook until a petal near the center pulls out easily, 20 to 30 minutes. Drain and cool completely. Halve each artichoke lengthwise, scraping out the fuzzy choke. Set halves aside.

Add chicken, celery, apple, scallion and tarragon to wild rice. In a small bowl, whisk oil, vinegar, mustard and sugar until combined.

Pour over rice mixture and toss well. Season with salt and pepper and divide mixture over Executive Chef Lina Fatartichoke halves.

Makes 4 servings.

This recipe was developed for the California Wild Rice Advisory Board by Executive Chef Lina Fat, California Fats, Old Sacramento, CA :: www.cawildrice.com