Portions: 6 servings Calories: 704kcal |
You know I am all about easy rice recipes, and this festive cranberry rice pilaf is not only super simple but also flavorful and pretty, making it ideal for your Christmas or Thanksgiving menu. It's a great start to plan your festive feast these holidays.
By - Revised . Original Nov 8, 2021.
Thanksgiving Cranberry Rice Pilaf [Video+Recipe].
Why we ❤️ it
- There cannot be too many rice options for our holiday menu, and this cranberry rice recipe is just the right one for Thanksgiving, with a lovely combination of savory tastes and a hint of sweetness.
- This tasty rice with cranberries and nuts adds something extra special on your table for year's end feasts.
Thanksgiving Cranberry Rice Pilaf [Video+Recipe]
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Utensils and tools
Ingredients
- 6 cups vegetable broth, [1.5 liters] salted to taste, boiling hot (see notes)
- 2 teaspoons salt, (optional)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, (optional)
- 3 tablespoons ghee, (clarified butter, see notes)
- 1½ cups chopped walnuts, (or almonds), plus whole walnuts for garnishing
- 6 g saffron threads, plus extra strands for garnish
- 3 cup long grain rice
- 1½ cups dry cranberries, (craisins)
- Fresh parsley , (or chives) to garnish
Video
Preparation
1. Toasting walnuts
In a medium saucepan, season the vegetable broth with salt and pepper to taste (if needed), and keep steaming over low heat.In a separate thick-bottom pot (cast aluminum or cast iron), heat the ghee over medium-low heat. Stir in the walnuts and cook, stirring until a slightly darker color.Remove the walnuts from the grease and set them aside. Leave the ghee in the pot.
2. Sauteeing rice
- Add the saffron to the ghee and stir to color the ghee. Add the raw, unrinsed rice to the heated ghee, cook stirring until the grains are coated with the ghee, and turn a slightly yellow color.Pour in the heated vegetable broth, increase the temperature to medium-high heat, and stir.
3. Cooking rice
- Simmer, stirring often, until the liquid has almost evaporated. Add the craisins and stir to combine. Lower the heat, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 15 minutes.Stir the rice and simmer covered for another 10 minutes or until the rice is cooked through but with separate grains.Uncover and mix in the toasted walnuts. Remove from the stove.
4. Serving
- Place the rice in a serving platter and sprinkle with parsley.
Top tips
- Broth: The flavor and saltiness of the broth will determine the flavor of the rice, so if you find the broth too bland, you may need to add salt to taste, or even add some minced parsley, a teaspoon of garlic powder, and a tablespoon of onion flakes to liven it up.
To vary the flavor, you can use different broths: try my homemade vegetable broth recipe or my homemade chicken broth recipe. - Vegan cranberry rice: Use olive oil instead of ghee, and make sure to use vegetable broth.
- To save leftovers: You can leave it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat it in the microwave in a covered microwave-safe container after adding a couple of tablespoons of cold water.
- Rice: You can make this recipe with basmati rice instead of long-grain rice.
- Other flavors: To add some interesting touch, you can add some orange zest before fluffing the rice. If you have bay leaf at home, add a couple of leaves to the boiling water, but remember to remove them before serving.
- Other nuts: If you don't like or don't have walnuts, you can make rice with cranberries and pecans or rice with cranberries and walnuts by following the exact same instructions and just substituting them for your favorite nuts. Pine nuts are also great in this dish.
Serving suggestions
This cranberry rice is perfect for your Christmas Eve feast or as a new addition to your Thanksgiving meal. Check out my Dominican Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner dishes for some ideas, or check out my favorite Christmas rice , or these Christmas dishes.
For a very easy, very innovative meat choice, check out these Turkey chops I love so much.
Learn more
While some recipes do require that the rice is soaked beforehand, not every recipe does, and not every rice is cooked the same. Check the recipe you're following for instructions.
I love pilaf rice, and if you're looking for another rice pilaf recipe to try, this Mejadra, Seafood black rice, Vegetable rice pilaf, Green bean and brown rice, Christmas rice, chicken tikka biryani, and wild rice blend with cauliflower, will be your new favorites.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated automatically based on ingredients listed. Please consult your doctor if you need precise nutrition information.
A wonderful and easy recipe, thanks for sharing it, love your Dominican recipes too.