The Wild Rice Pilaf is a perfect menu item for vegetarian meals; add a side of grilled tofu or tempeh for complete protein.
Another dinner idea: try the Chicken Stuffed w/ Wild Rice. The pilaf recipe is used to stuff under the skin of chicken breasts; add a simple black cherry sauce, for an elegant main course!
This recipe keeps for days; make extra for meals later in the week. It freezes well too. Serves 10 or more.
Ingredients:
Cook the rice ahead of time, even a day earlier. In pot with a lid, bring to boil: > 3 1/2 c. water
Add the following the pot, to precook the wild rice: > 1 c. wild rice > 3-4 bay leaf > 1-2 carrots, peeled, left whole to cook until tender
Let simmer 1 hr. or so. After pre-cooking, remove carrot, let it cool, then dice. Set aside.
Add to wild rice in pot, bringing to boil: > 4 c. water
Add rice and, then simmer with a lid on for 15 min. more: > 2 c. brown rice
Grill in pan until tender: > 1 small onion, diced > 2 stalks celery, chopped > the pre-cooked, diced carrot > hearty splash of olive oil
To the pot of cooked rice, add: > The grilled celery, onion, carrot > 2 1/2 tsp. Vege-sal > 1/2 tsp. thyme > 1 1/2 c. toasted walnuts > 1/3 c. frozen orange concentrate
Serve at room temperature, or warm up in over before serving.