Healthy and Delicious Vegetarian Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe
Welcome to my kitchen! Today, I will be sharing with you my recipe for a delicious and hearty Vegetarian Wild Rice Pilaf. This recipe is perfect for those who are looking for a filling and nutritious side dish or main course that is vegan, gluten-free, and packed with fiber and protein.
As a vegan chef, I have always been passionate about creating delicious, plant-based meals that are easy to make and accessible to everyone. And this wild rice pilaf is no different – it’s simple, one-pot recipe that can be made ahead of time and reheated for a quick, wholesome meal.
What makes this recipe so special is the combination of aromatic vegetables, nutty wild rice, buttery butternut squash, and sweet golden raisins. These ingredients make for a flavorful and satisfying dish that will leave you feeling full and satisfied.
So whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply looking for an easy weeknight meal, this vegetarian wild rice pilaf is sure to impress. Get ready to dive into a bowl of warm and comforting flavors – let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Look, I understand that picking the perfect recipe for your meal can be a daunting task. With a vast selection of dishes to choose from, it’s hard to know which one to pick. But let me tell you, this vegetarian wild rice pilaf recipe is the answer to all your mealtime quandaries.
Not only is this dish incredibly easy to make, but it’s also versatile and filled with rich and delicious flavors that will satisfy all your taste buds. Want to know what else? It’s suitable for vegans and gluten-free individuals too!
Now, let me break down what makes this dish so special. First off, the combination of the long-grain brown rice and wild rice blend provides an unbeatable texture that will leave you feeling fully satiated after each bite. The diced onion and celery add extra crunch with an aromatic flavor that is brought out by the buttery richness of vegan butter or olive oil.
But wait, there’s more! The golden raisins add a touch of subtle sweetness that balances perfectly with the savory spices. Speaking of which, black pepper and sea salt bring the entire dish together, leaving you with an explosion of flavors in every scoop.
What’s even better is that this wild rice pilaf recipe is a one-pot wonder that requires minimal effort on your part. All ingredients get cooked together in one pot, making cleaning up afterwards hassle-free.
In short, this vegan-friendly gluten-free vegetarian wild rice pilaf is an easy-to-make side dish with outstanding texture and bold flavors. The fact that it is also healthy just adds icing to the cake. Trust me; you won’t regret trying out this recipe – it’s perfect for any mealtime occasion!
Ingredient List
This vegetarian wild rice pilaf recipe is a nutrient-packed powerhouse that’s perfect for any occasion. Packed with healthy and flavorful ingredients, this recipe is a hit amongst vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Here are the ingredients you need to make this gluten-free and vegan wild rice pilaf recipe:
- 1 cup long-grain brown rice
- 2 cups wild rice blend, rinsed
- 3 3/4 cups vegetable broth or water (for cooking brown rice)
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter or olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- Sea salt and ground black pepper (as per your taste preference)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley or 2 tablespoons dried parsley
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- Optional: butternut squash or any other veggies you prefer
Most of these ingredients are readily available at your local grocery store. Just be sure to measure the quantities accurately to ensure that the final product has optimal taste and texture. Once you have everything in place, it’s time to start cooking!
The Recipe How-To
After rinsing the wild rice blend, prepare a large pot and pour 3 cups of vegetable broth or water inside it. Cook the wild rice in the pot until it becomes tender. This should take about 45 minutes to an hour.
While waiting, preheat the oven at 400°F for roasting butternut squash. Get a baking dish and put your butternut squash in it. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over your butternut squash and add salt and pepper to taste. Place the baking dish inside the oven and let it cook for at least 25-30 minutes.
For making rice pilaf, you can use either regular rice or long-grain brown rice, just like our Vegan Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe. In a saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of vegan butter while sautéing 1 medium onion (diced) until it becomes translucent. Then add in 2 cloves garlic (minced) and continue to sauté for another minute.
Pour 2 cups of vegetable broth into your saucepan and bring it to a boil. Put in one cup of rice and simmer for around 25 minutes. Once done, add in 1 cup golden raisins, 3/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper and salt to taste.
Once each of these dishes is ready, mix them together along with diced celery and dried parsley. If desired, serve with additional fresh parsley sprinkled on top. This recipe is perfect as a side dish or as a full meal all on its own. Either way, you can’t go wrong with this vegetarian wild rice pilaf recipe which is sure to impress!
Substitutions and Variations
Are you ready to unleash your creativity and experiment with different flavors? This section is perfect for that! Here are some substitutions and variations that you can try in this vegetarian wild rice pilaf recipe:
– Rice blend: Instead of using long grain brown rice, you can use a different variety of rice such as basmati or jasmine. You can also use a pre-mixed rice blend if you don’t have all the ingredients on hand.
– Butternut squash: If you’re not a fan of butternut squash, feel free to swap it out for another type of winter squash such as acorn squash or pumpkin. You can even try sweet potatoes or carrots!
– Vegetables: The beauty of this recipe is that you can add or substitute vegetables to suit your taste. Try adding bell peppers or zucchini for more color and texture.
– Vegan options: If you prefer a vegan version, simply swap out the butter for vegan butter and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
– Herbs: If you have fresh herbs on hand, feel free to use them instead of dried herbs. Fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh flavor to the dish.
– Nuts and fruits: To add more crunch and sweetness to the dish, add some chopped nuts like almonds or pecans, and some dried fruits like cranberries or apricots. Golden raisins are also a great option.
Remember, cooking is all about experimentation and making it your own! So have fun with it and don’t be afraid to try something new.
Serving and Pairing
Now that your vegetarian wild rice pilaf is ready, it’s time to talk about serving and pairing this delicious dish. This pilaf recipe can be served as a main dish, but it also makes a great accompaniment to many other meals.
For a full meal, you can serve the pilaf with some roasted vegetables on the side or add some protein, like baked tofu or tempeh. You could even stuff squash or bell peppers with the pilaf for a hearty and flavorful meal.
If you are serving it as a side dish, it pairs well with vegetarian dishes like roasted cauliflower or Brussel sprouts. Another great option is grilled portobello mushrooms for added texture and depth of flavor.
You can also enjoy this dish cold or at room temperature, making it perfect for picnics or potlucks. Add some fresh parsley or chopped nuts on top for extra crunch and flavor.
To make this meal even more impressive, consider pairing it with a bold red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon, which complements the rich flavors of the wild rice and buttery onions. Alternatively, a dry white wine like Chardonnay will provide a refreshing balance to the hearty flavors of the dish.
With its versatile flavor profile and elegant presentation, this vegetarian wild rice pilaf recipe is the perfect addition to any table setting.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
When it comes to meal prep, make-ahead options are simply a lifesaver. Luckily, this vegetarian wild rice pilaf recipe is a perfect candidate for make-ahead meals, making it an easy go-to dish for busy weekdays.
To make-ahead, prepare the dish according to the instructions and let it cool down completely. Once it has reached room temperature, transfer it into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
In terms of reheating the dish, there are a few options you can consider. One way is to reheat in the microwave. Simply scoop out the desired amount into a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 1-2 minutes until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat in a saucepan over medium heat on the stovetop. Add a few tablespoons of water or vegetable broth, stirring occasionally until it is heated through and reaches your desired consistency.
Some people prefer to freeze portions of the leftovers to enjoy later. If you choose to freeze this wild rice pilaf recipe, let it cool down completely before portioning into individual freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To maximize flavor and texture when reheating frozen portions, allow them to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating using one of the methods suggested above.
Overall, this dish is easy to make-ahead and reheats well, providing you with delicious and nutritious meals throughout the week!
Tips for Perfect Results
Cooking rice can be tricky, even experienced chefs can agree. However, when prepared properly, a rice pilaf makes a delicious and hearty meal. Here are some tips to ensure that your vegetarian wild rice pilaf recipe comes out just right.
Firstly, it’s important to rinse the wild rice blend thoroughly before cooking. Rinsing removes dirt and debris that might be present on the grains. Pour the rice into a fine-mesh sieve and run it under cold water until the water runs clear.
Secondly, use a large pot with a tight-fitting lid. The lid should fit snugly so the steam doesn’t escape during cooking. If the steam escapes, this can cause uneven cooking and result in crunchy or mushy rice.
Thirdly, add enough liquid to ensure that the rice is fully cooked. For this recipe, you’ll need two cups of vegetable broth or water for every one cup of dry rice. Bring the liquid to a boil before adding the rice mixture.
Fourthly, resist the urge to lift the lid while cooking. It’s tempting to peek inside and check if the rice is done. But lifting up the lid will allow steam to escape and affect how evenly the rice cooks.
Fifthly, once the cooking time is finished remove the pot from heat and let it stand for about five minutes so the remaining steam can be absorbed by the grains.
Lastly, fluff up the vegetarian wild rice pilaf with a fork before serving. Stirring it will cause it to be sticky whereas fluffing it makes each grain separated from each other that in return makes better presentation.
Overall, following these tips will surely help you achieve perfect results for your vegetarian wild rice pilaf recipe that will impress any guest!
FAQ
As we conclude this recipe article, I want to make sure you have all the information you need to make this vegetarian wild rice pilaf perfectly. Therefore, I put together a list of frequently asked questions about this recipe that I receive from home cooks like you. Let’s dive into them together!
What is the difference between wild rice and rice pilaf?
Rice pilaf, a traditional dish with roots in India, is typically prepared by roasting grains of white rice in oil or butter before cooking them in a broth that has been seasoned with a blend of spices. Wild rice pilaf, on the other hand, often consists of a combination of white and wild grains.
Is wild rice pilaf healthy?
Wild rice is a nutrient-rich, high-protein alternative to regular rice that offers numerous health benefits. While it may require a little extra cooking time and come with a slightly higher price tag, the advantages of incorporating wild rice into your diet make it a worthwhile investment in your overall wellness. Not only does wild rice contain important antioxidants and nutrients, but it also boasts several unique health benefits not found in conventional rice.
Is rice A Roni wild rice vegetarian?
According to the label, it does not contain any meat or fish ingredients, which leads us to believe that it is a vegetarian product.
Should you rinse wild rice before cooking?
If you’re planning on using wild rice, it’s crucial to rinse it with cold water before cooking. This will ensure that it’s clean and ready to use. One thing to keep in mind is that for every cup of uncooked wild rice, you can expect to get 3 to 4 cups of cooked wild rice. There are several ways you can cook this type of rice, including boiling, steaming, baking, or microwaving it. To make your life easier, we’ve put together some simple steps that will help you prepare perfectly cooked wild rice with any of these methods.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this Vegetarian Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe is an absolute must-try for anyone looking to create a delicious and nutritious dish that is packed full of flavor. With its unique blend of seasonings, herbs, and vegetables, this pilaf recipe is sure to impress even the most discerning palate.
Whether you are planning a special dinner, or just looking for an easy side dish to enjoy with your family, this recipe has everything you need to create a truly remarkable dish. From the rich, nutty flavor of the wild rice, to the colorful array of fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs, every bite of this pilaf is sure to delight.
So why not give it a try today? Trust me when I say that once you take that first bite of this vegan, gluten-free and utterly delicious Vegetarian Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe, you won’t ever want to go back to regular rice dishes again!
Vegetarian Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup wild rice
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 1 cup long grain brown rice, rinsed before cooking (I used Basmati)
- 2 cups vegetable stock
- 3/4 cup slivered almonds or 3/4 cup sliced almonds
- 2/3 cup golden raisin (sultanas)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- kosher sea salt, to taste
- ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a pan of water to boil, add enough water to cook wild rice as directed. Add salt to pan and lower heat, cover and simmer gently for 45-60 minutes, until the rice is tender.
- If all liquid is not absorbed by the rice, drain well.
- While wild rice is cooking, melt 1 tablespoon butter in another pan.
- Add the onion and cook over medium heat for about 1 minute or until onion is softened and translucent.
- Stir in the long grain rice and cook for 1 minute more.
- Add the vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Add the parsley. Cover and simmer gently for 30-45 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
- melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small frying pan. Add the almonds and cook until they are just golden brown. Set aside.
- Add the wild rice mixture to the long grain rice mixture (I do this in the pan so everything stays warm). Add the almonds and raisins and stir to mix well.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Transfer to a warmed serving dish, sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Jolo is a talented chef and food blogger with a passion for vegan and Caribbean flavors. From savory vegetarian dishes to tropical smoothies, Jolo’s Kitchen has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for meat-free meals or creative Caribbean recipes, Jolo’s Kitchen is the perfect place for you.