Wild Rice Pilaf With Pecans And Cranberries Food

WILD RICE PILAF WITH PECANS & DRIED CRANBERRIES ATK

Steps:

• WILD RICE:.
• Bring broth, 1/4 cup water, bay leaves and 1 bundle thyme to boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add wild rice, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer until rice is plump and tender and has absorbed most of the liquid, 35-45 minutes. (NOTE: Wild rice goes from tough to pasty very quickly, so begin checking the rice at the 35-minute mark and drain the rice as soon as it is tender.).
• Drain rice in fine-mesh strainer to remove excess liquid. Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Return wild rice to now-empty saucepan, cover, and set aside.
• WHITE RICE:.
• While wild rice is cooking, place white rice in medium bowl and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Using hands, gently swish grains to release excess starch. Carefully pour off water, leaving rice in bowl. Repeat rinsing 4-5 times, until water runs almost clear. Drain rice in fine-mesh strainer.
• Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened but not browned, about 4 minutes.
• Add rinsed and drained white rice and stir to coat grains with butter. Cook, stirring frequently, until grains begin to turn translucent, about 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring 2 1/4 cups water to boil in small saucepan or in microwave.
• Add boiling water and second thyme bundle to white rice and return to boil. Reduce heat to low, sprinkle cranberries over white rice, and cover.
• Simmer until all liquid is absorbed, 16-18 minutes.
• Off heat, remove thyme sprigs and fluff rice with fork.
• GARNISH:.
• Combine wild rice, white rice mixture, pecans, and parsley in large bowl and toss with rubber spatula.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste; serve immediately.

WILD RICE PILAF WITH MUSHROOMS AND PECANS

Steps:

• Cook the wild rice according to package directions; transfer to a large bowl. Meanwhile, in a pot of boiling, salted water, cook the orzo until al dente; drain. Add to the wild rice.
• In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add the pecans and sage and cook, stirring frequently, until the nuts are toasted and the mushrooms are tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in the peas and chickpeas. Add the vegetable mixture to the orzo mixture; season with salt.

WILD RICE PILAF WITH PISTACHIOS AND CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Heat in 4 quart saucepan 4 cups of water and 2 cups wild rice. Bring to boil and lower heat and cover to simmer for about 35 - 40 minutes.
• Add cranberries and cook for another minute. Drain if necessary and keep rice covered and warm until ready for next step.
• Melt butter in heavy 5 quart Dutch oven and add onions, celery and carrots and saute for approximately 13 minutes.
• Transfer these vegetables to a bowl and keep warm until next rice mixture is done.
• In same Dutch oven, ADD chicken broth, remaining 2 cups of water and "white rice" and bring to a boil and then cover for about 16 - 18 minutes until all water is absorbed.
• Stir into white rice in Dutch oven, wild-rice mixture, vegetable mixture, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; cook on medium-low until pilaf is heated through.
• Just before serving, gently stir chopped parsley and pistachio nuts into pilaf until evenly distributed. Transfer to large serving bowl. Makes about 13 cups.

CRANBERRY PECAN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Melt butter in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add rice. Cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes. Add broth and heat to boiling, stir once or twice. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese, cranberries, pecans and onions. Season to tast w/salt and pepper.
• *to toast pecans (or pine-nuts) spread on small baking sheet. Bake at 350 5-8 minutes (keep an eye they don't burn) or until golden brown. Stir frequently.