Cranberry Apple Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf

This Cranberry, Apple, Pecan Wild Rice is perfect for the holidays, company, or just to exceed your everyday deliciousness quota and even more perfect because its cooked in one pot and there is hardly any “hands on” time.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups apple juice
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup wild rice blend, rinsed and drained*
• 1/2 large onion, diced
• 1 Fuji or Honey Crisp apple, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Garnish (optional)

• fresh thyme
• fresh parsley

Instructions

Bring broth, apple juice Dijon, 1 tablespoon butter, salt, pepper, dried thyme, oregano, parsley and bay leaf to a boil in a large nonstick skillet. Add rice, cover and reduce heat to low (dial should be just above lowest LOW setting).

Simmer 45-60 minutes or until rice is tender and almost all of the liquid has been absorbed, checking rice for doneness at 45 minutes. Once cooked, drain rice and leave in fine hole strainer.

To the now empty pan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Increase heat to medium high and add onions and apples; saute for 5-7 minutes, or until onions and apples are tender. Add garlic and saute for 30 more seconds.

Return rice to skillet along with cranberries, pecans and apple cider vinegar. Toss to evenly combine. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Garnish as desired.

*  For an easier method, buy the Canoe canned wild rice.  It's about $4 can but saves a lot of time and is very good too. Plus wild rice can smell up the house too when it's cooking (another bonus).  Look for it on sale throughout the year and stock up to make soup and dishes like this one.  You can find it as cheap at a couple of bucks a can.

Source:  Carlsbad Cravings