Description
Harvest-inspired cranberry walnut & sweet potato wild rice pilaf celebrates seasonal warmth with hearty ingredients. Nutty wild rice and roasted sweet potatoes create a comforting side dish you’ll savor during cooler months.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup wild rice/brown rice blend
- 1 cup sweet potato (peeled and diced small)
- 1 can (14 oz/400 ml) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 slices bacon (chopped small)
- ⅓ cup (40 g) chopped walnuts
- ⅓ cup (50 g) chopped red onion
- ⅓ cup (40 g) dried cranberries
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ¼ tsp dried thyme
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Rice Preparation: Bring vegetable broth to a vigorous boil in a medium saucepan, then add bay leaf, parsley, thyme, and wild rice blend. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 45-50 minutes until liquid is fully absorbed and rice becomes tender.
- Nut Toasting: In a skillet, gently warm walnuts over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring to prevent scorching, then set aside on a separate plate.
- Vegetable Sautéing: Using the same skillet, heat olive oil and sauté sweet potatoes, onions, bacon, and garlic with kosher salt and black pepper. Cook until sweet potatoes turn golden and fork-tender, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Fruit Integration: Add dried cranberries to the skillet, cooking briefly to soften, then fold in toasted walnuts for even distribution.
- Final Assembly: Remove bay leaf from rice, fluff grains with a fork, and gently combine with the sweet potato and cranberry mixture. Season to taste, ensuring balanced flavors.
- Serving: Present the pilaf immediately while warm, showcasing the vibrant blend of textures and aromatic ingredients.
Notes
- Toast Nuts Carefully: Gently heat walnuts over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning and achieve a rich, nutty flavor without bitterness.
- Prevent Rice Clumping: Use a fork to fluff rice grains after cooking, separating them gently to maintain a light, airy texture and prevent sticking.
- Customize Seasoning: Adjust salt and pepper to taste, ensuring the pilaf’s flavor profile matches your personal preference and complements the dish’s natural sweetness.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy the pilaf while warm to experience the optimal blend of textures and temperatures, highlighting the dish’s aromatic and fresh ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling, Simmering, Frying, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg