Wild Rice Pilaf with Dried Cranberries, Apricots, and Toasted Pecans

Wild Rice Pilaf with Dried Cranberries, Apricots, and Toasted Pecans ingredients

• 1 cup wild rice
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 2 celery stalks
• 0.5 cup dried cranberries
• 0.5 cup dried apricots
• 0.5 cup pecans
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

How to make Wild Rice Pilaf with Dried Cranberries, Apricots, and Toasted Pecans

1. Rinse the wild rice thoroughly under cold running water in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear. This helps remove any excess starch and prevents stickiness.
2. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the chopped pecans for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn them. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the finely diced yellow onion and celery stalks, cooking for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent.
4. Stir in the rinsed wild rice, 3 cups of vegetable broth, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Add 1 teaspoon of orange zest to the pot for a bright aromatic lift.
5. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan tightly with a lid, and simmer for 45-50 minutes. The wild rice should be tender but still have a slight chew, and most of the liquid should be absorbed.
6. Once cooked, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it rest, still covered, for 10 minutes. This allows the rice to steam further and fully absorb any remaining moisture.
7. After resting, uncover the pot and fluff the wild rice with a fork. Gently stir in the dried cranberries, diced dried apricots, and the toasted chopped pecans.
8. Finally, fold in the 1/4 cup of fresh chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve warm as a flavorful side dish.

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