This festive wild rice pilaf is the perfect side dish for holiday gatherings or any meal. With sweet potatoes, cranberries, and pecans, it offers a delightful balance of savory, sweet, and crunchy flavors.
Author:Laura
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:1 hour
Total Time:1 hour 15 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Side Dish
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:American
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup wild rice
2 cups vegetable broth
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Rinse the wild rice under cold water and drain. In a medium saucepan, combine the wild rice and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45-50 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
While the rice is cooking, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the diced sweet potato with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread it out on a baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and lightly browned.
In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the chopped onion and garlic for 3-4 minutes, or until the onion is translucent. Stir in the dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and dried thyme, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Once the wild rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork and add it to the skillet with the onion mixture. Gently fold in the roasted sweet potatoes, and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
For extra flavor, try using a mix of vegetable broth and apple cider for the rice cooking liquid.
If you prefer a crunchier texture, add more pecans to taste.
This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving.