Nutty Cranberry Rice Pilaf Recipes

CRANBERRY AND ALMOND RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in hot oil until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Stir cranberries and jasmine rice into onion until rice is coated with oil and rice is lightly toasted, about 5 minutes more.
• Pour chicken broth into skillet and season with kosher salt and black pepper.
• Bring rice mixture to a boil over high heat, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 22 minutes.
• Remove skillet from heat; stir green onions, cilantro, and almonds into rice mixture. Adjust seasoning if necessary.

PERSIAN CRANBERRY RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Wash the basmati rice thoroughly and soak in water for 30 minutes. If you've got the time soak for up to 2 hours. The longer you soak, the more tender the rice.
• Heat the ghee or butter over medium heat in a 10-inch skillet. Add the onions and sauté them for 3 -4 minutes until they turn translucent. Add the turmeric, sumac powder, cranberries, and salt. Allow the cranberries to cook for 1 minute, then add the sugar, along with 2 tablespoons of water so the onions and cranberries can soak up the sugar. Allow to cook for 3 minutes or until the cranberries soak up all the liquid, turn off the stove and remove from heat.
• Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil (see notes). Drain the rice and add to the boiling water and cook on medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until al dente. Drain the rice and rinse under cool running water to stop cooking; drain. Pour the tablespoon of olive oil into the base of the same pot. Add the rice and pour the saffron water over the rice evenly. Top with the cranberry mixture and the pistachios. Wrap the lid of the pot with a thin kitchen towel and cover the pot. This helps build steam to help cook the rice through. Cook the rice on high for 3 minutes, then turn the heat down to super-low and continue to cook for 10 more minutes. Turn off heat and let the rice sit for 5 minutes. Serve warm.

PINE NUT AND CRANBERRY RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, saute celery and onion in butter and oil until tender. Add rice; cook and stir for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. , Add the broth, mushrooms, cranberries, garlic powder, curry powder, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. , Remove from the heat. Stir in parsley; sprinkle with pine nuts.

CRANBERRY-NUT WILD RICE

Steps:

• Cook wild rice according to package directions; drain if necessary. In a large skillet, saute onions in 1 tablespoon oil until tender. Stir in the rice, cranberries, nuts and remaining oil; heat through. Season with salt and pepper.

NUTTY BROWN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In heavy saucepan, heat oil over medium heat; cook onion, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper and cinnamon, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until softened.
• Add rice; cook, stirring for 1 minute.
• Add stock, currants and lemon rind; bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for 50 - 60 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
• Let stand, covered for 5 minutes.
• Fluff with fork and sprinkle with pine nuts and onions.

CRANBERRY RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Add chicken broth and wild rice blend to a medium saucepan. Turn heat to medium high until the mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low, add the lid and simmer for 45 minutes. Do not remove the lid during cooking time.
• While the rice cooks, add butter to a large 12" skillet over medium heat. Add the stick of butter to a large 12" skillet and turn on the heat to medium. Add the diced shallots and cook for 3 minutes until translucent.
• Add the diced apples, cranberries and pecans and turn off the heat. Stir gently to combine.
• Once the rice has cooked, stir the rice into the skillet and mix. Sprinkle with the fresh herbs and season with salt and pepper to taste.

NUT RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Prep notes: Peel and finely slice the onion or shallots. Peel and mince the garlic. Roughly chop the nuts. Measure out the spices into a small bowl so they're ready to add. Measure out the wine and broth. Mince the parsley.
• Heat a large frying or saute pan with a tight-fitting lid over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, swirl the pan to coat it with the oil, and when the oil is hot (it will shimmer a bit), add the onion and the salt. Cook, stirring frequently until the onion is soft, about 3 minutes.
• Increase the heat to high and add the nuts. Cook, stirring constantly, until the nuts start to toast. The onions will brown a bit, which is good; if they start to burn or char at all reduce the heat and move to the next steps.
• Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Evenly sprinkle on the coriander , cumin, and pepper. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add the rice and stir to combine--the rice should be well coated with the oil and the onions.
• Pour in the wine and cook, stirring, until the rice can completely absorbed the wine, about 2 minutes.
• Slowly pour in the broth and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook until the rice is tender to the bite, about 50 minutes.
• Fluff the pilaf with a fork. Add salt to taste, if needed. Stir in the minced parsley and garnish with whole leaves, if you like. Serve the rice pilaf hot or warm (the range of possible temperatures here makes this an excellent option for buffets).