Wild Rice Pilaf with Porcini, Cranberries and Toasted Almonds
Aren’t packaged rice products great? They’re awesome until you start reading the ingredient list and try to figure out what is what. It can be quite puzzling 😵! When buying straight rice, any kind it doesn’t’ matter, it’s quite simple… it’s just RICE!
Depending on which meal you’ll be serving along with it, rice 🍚 is often the perfect choice. A meal with sauce, an Asian dish, or just because you prefer rice over other carbs, this is a popular side dish to have.
Way back when I didn’t even bother making my own rice, I was buying 🛒 the packaged ones. It was more convenient to grab from the supermarket shelves, add water, butter, the little flavor packet that comes along with it, stir and voilà, done! It’s only when I started looking for healthier choices that I realized most of the ingredients in those “convenient boxes” were not really the right choice.
I threw out all my “boxes” and decided that from now on I would be making my own rice mix! Here’s one of them… my Wild Rice Pilaf with Porcini, Cranberries & Toasted Almonds! Not only is it easy to make 👩🍳👨🍳 but the flavors are far superior to anything from a box.
I like making this particular recipe because the ingredients are just fantastic together. Obviously, it takes longer to make than the ones from the boxes and stand up bags. The beautiful crunch from the almonds combined with the basmati is so delicious! The added ingredients like red onion, porcini, garlic 🧄 and more, gives this side dish a well-balanced flavor.
Besides this extraordinary flavorful rice, I have other recipes you should try 😉 like my Indian Basmati with Dry Fruits, Herb & Butter Rice, Saffron Rice StuffingPilau Rice, Mexican Rice, and more.
Don’t wait till you become a “health fanatic” 💚 before you make this tasty Wild Rice Pilaf with Porcini, Cranberries and Toasted Almonds recipe. It’s a fabulous side dish to enjoy with your favorite protein! It’s also elegant, ideal to serve at your next dinner party!
Bon Appétit!🍽
Here are some more great side dish recipes for you to enjoy…😀
– Sambal Green Beans
– Grand Marnier Glazed Carrots
– Smoky Bacon Creamed Corn
– Creamy Mashed Cauliflower
– Quick & Easy Sautéed Broccolini
– German Red Cabbage
– Fondant Potatoes
and for even more delicious side dish and vegetable recipes 🍆🥔, click on this link… Recipe Category • Sides & Vegetables
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Wild Rice Pilaf with Porcini, Cranberries and Toasted Almonds
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Ingredients
- 3/4 cup wild rice
- 2 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided
- 2 tbsp. butter, divided
- 1/2 ounce dried porcini, soaked in water for 30 minutes
- 1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted tips & tricks
- 3/4 cup basmati rice, rinsed and drained
- 1/4 cup red onions, finely chopped
- 1 large clove garlic, pressed
- 1/4 cup dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay or Sauvignon
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper, or to taste (I always use mixed peppercorns)
- 1 pinch ground Himalayan pink salt, or to taste
- 1 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped tips & tricks
Directions
- In a medium pot, combine wild rice, ¾ cup chicken broth and 1 tbsp. butter. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 40 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place dried porcini in a small bowl, add enough water to cover and soak for 30 minutes. After half an hour, drop the porcini in a fine sieve and let it drain.
- In a small skillet on medium heat, toast the almonds, about 5 minutes, tossing often. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Place basmati rice in a fine sieve over a bowl and rinse until the water is no longer cloudy; let it drain.
- After 40 minutes, add basmati to the wild rice. Pour in the remaining broth (1 ½ cups), give it a good stir and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
- In another pot over medium heat, add butter. When it's melted, add onions and sauté for 2 minutes. Add porcini, (making sure to leave any dirt behind), and garlic; sauté for 1 minute.
- Pour in white wine and cook until almost evaporated; stir and remove from the heat.
- When the rice is cooked, add the porcini mixture, cranberries and toasted almonds; season with freshly ground black pepper and sea salt. Give it a good stir, cover, remove from the heat and let the rice rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- For the final touch, sprinkle on some chopped parsley to each bowl.
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