Mushroom and Wild Rice Stuffed Bass

Ingredients

1/2 cup water
1/4 cup wild rice
3/4 cup fresh spinach, chopped
1 small clove garlic, minced
3 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. chopped onion
3/4 cup sliced mushrooms
1.4 tsp. dried basil
2 pan dressed Silver Streak Hybrid Striped Bass

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, bring water and 1 tbsp. butter to a boil.
2. Add wild rice, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
3. While rice is cooking, prepare vegetables. In a small skillet, melt 1 tbsp. of the butter over medium-high heat.
4. Add the vegetables, garlic and basil, sauté for 3 to 4 minutes or until all moisture evaporates.
5. Remove from heat and stir in cooked drained rice.
6. Wipe inside cavity of fish with paper towels. Carefully stuff the cavity of the bass with rice mixture and place in foil-lined baking dish. Melt the remaining 1 tbsp. butter and pour over fish.
7. Bake, uncovered, at 450F for 20 to 25 minutes. **Note: Allow 10 to 12 minutes per inch of stuffed thickness. Makes 2 servings.
8. To microwave: cook wild rice as instructed above. Cooke prepared vegetables and basil in 2 tbsp. butter at High 2 minutes. Stir in cooked rice. Stuff bass and place in baking dish just large enough to hold fish. Cook, covered with vented plastic wrap at High for 5 to 6 minutes. Let stand, covered, 3 to 5 minutes to complete the cooking.