Wild Rice & Apple Pilaf

This past weekend we felt like rice pilaf, but I wanted to incorporate a little “autumn harvest” flavor to it. So, I decided to combine apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, apple cider, golden raisins and toasted almonds with long grain & wild rice. I kind of improvised as I was going along, not quite sure how it was going to turn out. My only regret is that I paired it with fish and it was a little too sweet as a side dish for fish. On the other hand, it’s an ideal accompaniment to pork. If you were raised “old-school” like me, believing that pork must be served with apple sauce, then you are already familiar with that sweet & savory duo. I wouldn’t hesitate to serve this alongside pork. As a matter of fact, we had the leftover pilaf with ham steaks the following night, and the combination was perfect!

Ingredient "quantities" in photo below are not the same as actual recipe posted. Since I was improvising as I went along, I changed the quantities after taking this picture (but ingredients themselves are the same). I ended up using 2 apples and 2 boxes of wild rice.

In a small skillet, over medium heat, add vegetable oil (or butter) and sliced almonds. Toast almonds, stirring often, until golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.

 Peel, core and chop apples. Use whatever kind of apples you prefer. Transfer chopped apples to a small bowl. Combine with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir well to combine. In small skillet, melt butter. Add spiced apples to skillet. Cook over medium heat until apples soften. Remove from heat and set aside.

In large saucepan, combine rice, 2 packets of seasonings mix (included with rice), butter (or olive oil), apple cider, water, salt and pepper. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer 25 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed. The last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in almonds, apples and raisins.

Serve warm. Perfect with pork (not fish....my bad).

WILD RICE AND APPLE PILAF
Posted by: www.meldingmagic.com

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil (or butter)    
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored and chopped (any variety)
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
• 2 boxes (6-ounces each) Uncle Ben's Long Grain & Wild Rice (Original), including seasoning packets  
• 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil, or butter
• 2-1/4 cups apple cider
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup golden raisins

  
DIRECTIONS:

1. In small skillet, over medium heat, add 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil (or butter) and sliced almonds.
    Toast almonds, stirring often, until golden brown. Remove to small bowl and set aside.
2. Peel, core and chop apples. Transfer to small bowl. Combine with sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir
    well to combine. In small skillet, melt 1/4 cup butter. Add apple mixture. Cook, over medium heat,
    until apples soften. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. In large saucepan, combine rice, 2 packets of seasoning mix (included w/ rice), 2 Tablespoons butter
    (or olive oil), apple cider, water, salt and pepper. Bring to boil. Cover and simmer, on medium low, 25
    minutes, or until liquid is absorbed. Last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in almonds, apple mixture and
    golden raisins.
4. Serve warm. This is especially good with pork!