Thanksgiving Wild Rice

Posted by Rachel Schwartz on 11/24/2020 to Family

white place setting with serving of wild rice with cranberries

There are certain dishes that are staples at holiday meals. Colored and deviled eggs at Easter, ham at Christmas, hot dogs and burgers at Fourth of July, and turkey at Thanksgiving. If stuffing, potatoes, and casseroles seem too heavy or too much for your family's gathering this year, try a lighter twist on Thanksgiving by adding this Thanksgiving-inspired wild rice dish to your menu. Savory and festive, this dish embodies the Thanksgiving spirit.

Ingredients:

3 cups low sodium vegetable stock or water
1-1/2 cup wild rice
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup white wind
1/3 cup dried cranberries for garnish
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 teaspoon olive oil
1 bell pepper, diced
1 carrot, grated
1 small leek, chopped
8 sprigs fresh thyme
3 sprigs fresh oregano
2 bay leaves
1 sprig rosemary
1 sprig sage
1 pinch red pepper flakes
Sea salt

Directions:

Heat a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium low heat. Add a little water or two teaspoons of olive oil and the chopped leak. Saute with a dash of sea salt until the pieces of leek are translucent.
Add the grated carrot, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, oregano, sage, and red pepper flakes. Stir and then add the wild rice. Stir to combine everything before letting the rice cook for a few minutes.
Add the diced bell pepper and 1/2 cup of the dried cranberries.
Add the while wine and turn the heat down to a simmer until the liquid has been reduced by half before adding the vegetable stock or water. Stir and taste. Add more salt or other seasonings as desired.
Bring the mix to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook for 45-50 minutes.
After 50 minutes, turn off the burner but leave the lid. Let the rice sit and cook using the contained heat for another 10-15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, lift the lid and remove the bay leaves and woody sprigs. Use a fork to fluff up the rice and serve warm. The remaining cranberries and any remaining fresh herbs can be added as a garnish on top of the dish.