wild rice pilaf with pistachios and pomegranates

by Katie | Dec 18, 2017 | Side Dishes, Sponsored Posts | 25 comments

This vegan and gluten-free Wild Rice Pilaf with Pistachios and Pomegranates is a special occasion side-dish for your holiday feast.

DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by the Wonderful Company. I was compensated for my time. All opinions expressed here are my own.

I am like a Pavlov’s dogs when it comes to someone saying the words Christmas dinner. I immediately get a huge craving for wild rice. It is a tradition in our family to have it most years, and I just love the texture of it- a little chewy. My mom is usually the one to suggest that we have it, but believe me, if she didn’t I surely would, because it is so good!

Did you know that wild rice is native to North America, and only a distant cousin of the starchier white and brown rice we commonly eat?

How to Make Wild Rice Pilaf with Pistachios and Pomegranate

First I have a culinary note. Though I am calling this a “pilaf”, I understand that the method here is not completely traditional. Here’s why: traditional rice pilaf is made by sautéing the vegetables and the rice in fat or oil then adding the liquid and cooking together. This step ensures that the rice will not stick together as much because each grain is coated in oil. This step is unnecessary for wild rice because it doesn’t have enough starch to clump. I also wanted to control how tender the rice became; so cooking it in a pot with plenty of boiling water (almost the way you would for pasta) ensures that it becomes tender, but not mushy. Once that liquid is completely drained away it’s added to the sautéed vegetables.

When cooking the wild rice, look for the grains to split, and taste often. Don’t wait for the grains to curl, because the rice will be overcooked and watery.

Next I used POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice to moisten the mixture. Not only does it moisten the pilaf, but the POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice has been found to have, on average, more antioxidant capacity than red wine, grape juice and green tea!

I also amped up the holiday vibe (and nutrition) to the Wild Rice Pilaf by adding in some more superstar ingredients from POM Wonderful®. I used POM POMS Fresh Pomegranate Arils, which are ready to eat. They are already removed from the pith of the fruit and come in cute little 4.3 ounce containers. Find them, refrigerated, in the produce section. I love these POM POMS because they save time; just open the container and boom! Done. Plus they add in more fiber and Vitamin C for a nutritional boost.

Then to add crunch and a festive green element I added in chopped pistachios. I used the Wonderful No Shells Pistachios, because again… so easy! Just chop and add them in. Not to sound like a broken record here folks, but the pistachios are also a nutritional powerhouse! Pistachios offer a trio of plant-protein, fiber and better-for-you unsaturated fats which may keep you feeling full.

I finished off the pilaf with a final drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. The fruitiness of the oil, the orange zest really set off the sweet tartness of the pomegranate and the nutty wild rice. I can’t wait for you to try it!

If you do try it, please come back and let me know by leaving a RATING or COMMENT below. I would so appreciate it!

QUESTIONS:

What are the traditions on your holiday table?

Did you know Wild Rice is not a direct relative of white rice?

Have you used POM POMS Fresh Pomegranate Arils before?