26 October 2010

Brown Rice Pilaf with pecans and dried cranberries


Have you already started planning your side dishes for Thanksgiving?  Do you have set standards or are you an adventuresome type?  I like to try different side dishes every Thanksgiving.  I have my set favorite, my mom's stuffing, but I'm even going to mix that up this year and try to make it healthier in consideration for a diabetic in the family who is coming to dinner.

I made this Brown Rice Pilaf with pecans and dried cranberries to accompany the turkey made for my review of the Charbroil Big Easy.  I adapted it from a recipe by Lorna Sass in her cookbook, Whole Grains:  Every Day, Every Way.  I really liked the nuttiness and the whole grains, but I think when I make it again, I will cut out the butter.  The recipe calls for 3 Tbls. of butter which I used because it was my first time making the recipe, but it really didn't need it.  I think the butter made the dish taste a little heavy, especially since we already had all of the heavy aromas around the house from the turkey.  Either way you make it though, it could be your solution on what to make to accompany your Thanksgiving turkey this year!

Brown rice pilaf with pecans and dried cranberries by Joie de vivre.  Adapted from Whole Grains:  Every Day, Every Way by Lorna Sass
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

3 Tbls. unsalted butter (I'm going to omit this the next time I make it)
3/4  tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 c. chopped pecans
3 c. freshly cooked long grain brown rice (I made this in my rice cooker while the turkey was cooking)
3 Tbls. sweet sherry
2 Tbls. dried cranberries
3/4 tsp. grated orange zest
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1.  Heat the butter in a large skillet until melted and foamy.  Add the salt, pumpkin pie spice, and the chopped pecans.  Stir for 2-3 minutes until the pecans are slightly toasted.
2.  Add the rice and stir until combined.  Next, add the cranberries, sherry and orange zest.  Stir until combined.
3.  Remove from heat and adjust the salt and pepper to taste.



21 comments:

Jaime and Jen DISH said...

This looks delicious! I love cranberries and pecans, GREAT combo!

whatsfordinneracrossstatelines said...

I like this! I'm always wanting to try new sides for Thanksgiving. I love doing brown rice in the rice cooker and this is a great way to make it interesting. I love cranberries and pecans. I'm keeping this one in mind when I plan my dinner. Thanks.
-Gina-

Tina said...

I would certainly be proud to serve this at my Thanksgiving dinner!

Josie @Skinny Way Of Life said...

cranberries and pecans are the perfect combo!! we always have the same sides...stuffing, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, corn souffle. I love them all but it's nice to have something different, this might be making an appearance on the table this Thanksgiving!!

Rita said...

I love the combination; it just has to be good. A great recipe to serve anytime of the year; our Thanksgiving is long gone.

Sam said...

We don't celebrate thanksgiving but this would be perfect for Christmas, I'm thinking that far ahead!

Brownieville Girl said...

Sounds wonderful!

I'm going to try this very soon.

Gera@SweetsFoodsBlog said...

Pecans and dried cranberries is pure bliss, why only 1 time on the year? :)

Cheers,

Gera

Hornsfan said...

This looks great - the combo of the cranberries and pecans are so very Thanksgiving in my mind : )

Sunny said...

yum, that sounds awesome! a great fall dish!

pierre said...

very good idea to add dried fruits in your pilaf Bravo pierre

Anne said...

Ooh this looks so yummy with the cranberries and pecans are my favorite! I'm bookmarking this for thanksgiving!

Deeba PAB said...

What a great take on pilaf...healthy and full of flavour. YUM!

Reeni said...

I love that you put pumpkin pie spice in here! I made something similar with couscous and cranberries - I was stumped as to how to season it. This is lovely!

Jenn said...

I haven't even thought about thanksgiving. Le alone what my menu will be for this year. Eek!!! I gotta get crackin' on that ASAP!!! Tasty Pilaf btw. too.

pigpigscorner said...

Very nice twist! Love the cranberries here.

♥Sugar♥Plum♥Fairy♥ said...

Oh what a fantastic delish combi!

Karen said...

I love the flavors in this, especially the pecans with the pumpkin pie spice. Yum!
Perfect side dish for holiday dinners. Thanks for sharing!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

A delicious combination! Yummy.

Cheers,

Rosa

Julie said...

I think that sounds like a super combination...will definitely keep it in mind.

Green Girl @ A little bit of everything said...

pecans and cranberries are a great combo. Usually in my family cranberries rice pilaf is more like Christmasy than Thanksgiving
Every year I cook something different, can't say we have a favorite Thanksgiving dish

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