Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Serves: 4

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 cup wild rice, preferably whole not broken
  • 1 long strip lemon zest
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 4 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 bunch scallions (white and green), thinly sliced (3/4 cup)

Wild Rice Pilaf with Nuts and Lemon

Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence

In a small sauce pan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the pine nuts, garlic, zest, and thyme, swirl the pan until the nuts and garlic are beginning to brown, about 2 minutes. Add the wild rice and cook stirring with a wooden spoon until lightly toasted, about 3 more minutes. Stir in the chicken broth and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a rapid simmer and cook stirring occasionally, for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Check the texture of the rice, and if needed, continue simmering until tender.Add more liquid as needed, another 10 to 15 minutes. (Note: The rice should only just begin to crack when done. If it begins to curl it is over cooked. There are numerous varieties of varying qualities, which affect cooking times greatly.)

Remove from the heat, scatter the scallions over the surface and fluff with a fork, remove the herb sprigs and lemon zest before serving. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.

Edited: October 15th, 2009