Recipes

Wild Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms, Chestnuts, and Cranberries

Sean Sherman

Minneapolis

"Wild rice is a flavorful and remarkably satisfying food. The mushrooms add a dark, meaty flavor and texture, while the chestnuts are creamy (and high in protein). This meatless dish will appeal to omnivore and vegetarian alike. Cooked wild rice will keep several weeks in the refrigerator and for at least a year when frozen in a plastic freezer bag." —Sean Sherman

From The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen by Sean Sherman with Beth Dooley (University of Minnesota Press, October 2017)
Copyright 2017 Ghost Dancer, LLC. All rights reserved. Used by permission of the University of Minnesota Press

 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup roasted, peeled, chopped chestnuts
  • 2 tablespoons sunflower or walnut oil
  • 1 pound assorted mushrooms, cleaned
  • 1 tablespoon chopped sage
  • 1/2 cup chopped wild onions or shallots
  • 1/2 cup corn stock or vegetable stock
  • 2 cups cooked wild rice
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup to taste
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon smoked salt to taste

Method

Roast and peel the chestnuts: pre-heat the oven to 350°F. Use the sharp point of a small knife to score an X on the flat side of the chestnuts and place them on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven until the skins begin to peel back. The length of roasting time will depend on the freshness and size of the chestnuts and ranges from about 10 to 25 minutes. Remove the chestnuts, and when they're cool enough to handle, peel.

Make the pilaf: in a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat and add the mushrooms, sage, and onions. Cook, stirring, until the mushrooms are nicely browned and the onions are soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the stock, wild rice, and cranberries and cook until the liquid is nearly evaporated. Stir in the roasted chestnuts. Season with maple syrup and smoked salt to taste.

Yield

4 to 6 servings