Cranberry Apple Wild Rice Pilaf

Once you've cooked your wild rice and sautéed your vegetables, it's time to unite these components into a delicious, harmonious dish. Properly integrating the cooked wild rice with the sautéed mixture is crucial for achieving an even flavor and texture throughout.

Embrace the flavors of autumn with this delightful Festive Cranberry Apple Wild Rice Pilaf. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this healthy side dish features a beautiful blend of nutty wild rice, tart cranberries, and sweet apples, all enhanced by aromatic herbs and spices. Nutritious and visually appealing, it complements everything from roasted turkey to vegetarian entrees. Whether for a family feast or a cozy dinner, this pilaf will warm your heart and please your guests.

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Ingredients

1 cup wild rice blend

2 ½ cups vegetable broth

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium apple, peeled and diced (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)

1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

½ cup pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped

½ teaspoon dried thyme

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Rinse the Rice: In a fine-mesh strainer, rinse the wild rice blend under cold water. This removes excess starch and helps achieve a better texture.

Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed wild rice and vegetable broth. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 45-50 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and let it sit covered for 10 minutes.

Sauté the Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Add the Apple and Cranberries: Stir in the diced apple and cranberries into the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples start to soften and the cranberries burst.

Season the Mixture: Add dried thyme, ground cinnamon, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.

Combine Rice and Sautéed Mixture: Gently stir the cooked wild rice into the apple and cranberry mixture. Add the chopped pecans or walnuts, and mix until everything is well combined. Adjust seasoning if necessary.

Serve: Transfer the pilaf to a serving dish or bowl and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color. Enjoy warm!

Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 15 min | 1 hour 15 min | 4-6 servings