Rice Pilaf with Almonds and Dried Pears

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Servings:
6

To make your own herbes de Provence mixture, combine more-or-less-equal amounts of dried lavender, summer savory, marjoram, rosemary, and thyme.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup whole almonds

  • 1 cup wild rice

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 2 teaspoons herbes de Provence

  • 2 stalks celery, finely chopped

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 cup white rice

  • 8 dried pears, finely chopped

  • 1 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread almonds on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven until almonds just begin to smell fragrant, about 10 minutes. Transfer pan from oven. Using a sharp knife, coarsely chop almonds, and set aside.

  2. Fill a medium saucepan with water, and bring to a rolling boil. Add wild rice, and reduce heat. Let simmer until rice is tender but not split, about 45 minutes. Drain, and set aside.

  3. Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Add chopped onion; cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in herbes de Provence and celery. Season mixture with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; cook mixture a few minutes more. Stir in white rice, and cook, stirring, until rice just starts to turn translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups cold water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer about 20 minutes.

  4. Remove from heat; transfer rice pilaf to a bowl. Add reserved almonds, wild rice, dried pears, and chopped parsley. Toss to combine.

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