Elevate your side dish game with this hearty and flavorful Wild Rice Pilaf with Cashews. Packed with nutty wild rice simmered to perfection in vegetable broth, this recipe features a medley of vibrant vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions, along with a touch of aromatic garlic and thyme. Toasted cashews add a delightful crunch, while fresh parsley gives a burst of color and freshness to every bite. This easy-to-make pilaf is perfect for weeknight dinners or as an elegant side for holiday feasts. Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, itβs a crowd-pleaser thatβs both wholesome and satisfying.
Rinse the wild rice under cool running water in a fine-mesh strainer until the water runs clear. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Add the rinsed wild rice, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40-45 minutes until the rice is tender and the grains have split open. Drain any excess liquid and fluff the rice with a fork.
While the rice is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cashews and toast them for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant. Remove the cashews from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. SautΓ© the diced onion, carrot, and celery for 5-7 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the cooked wild rice, toasted cashews, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 additional minutes, stirring to combine and evenly distribute the flavors.
Remove the skillet from heat, stir in the chopped parsley, and adjust seasoning if needed.
Transfer the wild rice pilaf to a serving dish and garnish with additional chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Calories |
1549 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 67.2 g | 86% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.0 g | 60% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 10.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2813 mg | 122% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 209.2 g | 76% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 27.4 g | 98% | |
| Total Sugars | 24.4 g | ||
| Protein | 47.4 g | 95% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 276 mg | 21% | |
| Iron | 10.7 mg | 59% | |
| Potassium | 2891 mg | 62% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.