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Wild Rice Pilaf with Pecans and Cranberries
This pilaf is the perfect side dish in so many ways. The recipe can easily be adapted to you and your family's own likes. It's perfect in the warm months, but especially wonderful during the holidays.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Additional Time
15 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 306 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups wild rice blend
- chicken stock for cooking the rice
- 3 tablespoon unsalted butter divided, for the rice and then for the veggies
- 4 oz. pancetta cubed
- 1 granny smith apple peeled, cored, and cut into small cubes
- 1 medium onion chopped, about 1 cup
- 3 stalks celery chopped, about 1 cup
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup pecans roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoon sage fresh, chopped
- 1 tablespoon parsley fresh, chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the rice according to the package instructions. Use broth (chicken or vegetable) in place of the water. Once cooked, place in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until almost crisp. If more than 1 tablespoon of grease has rendered, tilt the pan and spoon the excess out. You'll need to leave about 1 tablespoon of the grease. Stir in the apples and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the apples start to soften. Transfer to the bowl with the rice.
- In the same skillet, heat 2 tablespoon of the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and sauté until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds to 1 minute. Transfer to the bowl with the rice, pancetta, and apples.
- To the bowl, add the cranberries, pecans, sage, parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Stir together with a large wooden spoon until fully mixed.
- Serve at once. If desired, place in a baking dish and cover with foil. 20 minutes before serving, place in a 350°F oven to heat.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- See the video near the top of the blog post for visual guidance. If you liked the video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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- This recipe is very adaptable to your own tastes. You can vary the dried fruits, nuts, and herbs. To make this 100% vegetarian, leave out the pancetta and use vegetable stock for making the rice. Sauté the apples in a little butter, or, don't worry about sautéing them at all.
- The rice can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Follow the last step in the recipe for reheating.
- Leftovers will keep covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Information
Calories
306kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
18g
(6%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
14g
(22%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
Trans Fat
0.3g
Cholesterol
28mg
(9%)
Sodium
432mg
(18%)
Potassium
243mg
(7%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
12g
(24%)
Vitamin A
355IU
(7%)
Vitamin C
5mg
(6%)
Calcium
47mg
(5%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 306
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 306kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 18g | 6% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 28mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 432mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 243mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 12g | 24% |
| Vitamin A | 355IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 47mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.