[Recipe + Video] Festive Cranberry Rice Pilaf with Walnuts
This festive cranberry rice recipe is not only super simple it is also flavorful and pretty which makes it ideal for the holiday season. You can incorporate it with your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year feast to marvel your guests.
Toasting walnuts: In a thick-bottom pot (cast aluminum or cast iron) heat the oil over medium heat. Stir in the walnuts and cook stirring until a slightly darker color. Remove the walnuts from the oil and set them aside.
Cooking rice: Add the saffron to the oil and stir, add the rice to the heated oil, sauté stirring until the grains are coated with oil, and turn a slightly yellow color. Pour in the vegetable broth, stir. Simmer and stir often to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom.Boil over medium flame, stirring often, until the liquid has almost all evaporated. Add the cranberries to the rice mixture 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.Uncover and mix in the toasted walnuts. Remove from the stove.
Serving: Spoon the rice on a serving platter and sprinkle with whole walnuts and saffron strands.