Walnut and Cranberry Pilaf/Rice, is a one pot flavorful rice preparation with sweet and tangy cranberries and crunchy Walnuts.
This simple rice preparation is not only super easy to make, favorable and is ideal for Thanksgiving or Christmas or any festive menu.
About the Recipe
Sharing here a very simple, easy and a flavourful rice preparation, Walnut and Cranberry Pilaf/Pulao. This delicious rice preparations is just something new to serve to your guests and loved ones or to have something extra special and different for the family dinner!!
I came across this recipe for Rice with Walnuts and cranberries on Food Network Channel. Adjusted the ingredients as per my preferences and loved it.
It is a simple rice dish that you can make within 30 mins from start to finish. You will need basic ingredients from your pantry to make.
Ingredients for Walnut and Cranberry Pulao/Rice
Rice- Basmati Rice is my first choice to make any pulao preparation. You can use any long grain rice.
Cranberries- I have used dried cranberries. You can try fresh cranberries also for a more juicy and tarty flavour.
Walnuts- These add a nice crunch and a distinct aroma and flavour to Pulao.
Spices- I used absolutely no spice in this recipe except cumin seeds and red chilli flakes for a bit of heat. You can add paprika/chilli flakes as per your spice tolerance.
Garlic- And, the bold garlic flavour (due to over roasted garlic in butter) takes the flavour and aroma to a different level!!
How to make Walnut and Cranberry Pilaf/Pulao
- Wash rice nicely 2-3 times and soak it for at least 15 mins.
- Finely chop/mince garlic.
- When ready to make, heat butter/oil in a pan.
- Add jeera/cumin seeds, next add chopped garlic and fry it for 1-2 mins. Keep the flame else garlic might burn.
- Add walnuts ( break on half or small bits) and cranberries and fry for another few mins.
- Now drain water from rice and add rice, salt as per taste and chilli flakes. Roast it for 2-3 seconds.
- Add water (1 cup water for 1 cup rice), cover and cook first on high flame for 1 min.and then on low flame till you see the water evaporates or the rice grains are cooked.
- Check whether rice is cooked by pressing between the index finger and thumb. It should be a bit grainy, not mushy.
- Keep it covered for next few mins.. Serve hot.
Stepwise Pics to make Walnut Cranberry Pilaf/Pulao
Storage and Shelf Life
Refrigerate for 2-3 days. You can also freeze it for weekday meal preparations in small containers as per the daily portion required.
When serving later, you can reheat it in microwave for 1 min at High. Add 1 tbsp water when reheating on stove or microwave.
Serving Suggestions for Walnut and Cranberry Pilaf/Pulao
We loved this simple buttery Rice Pilaf with bold garlic flavours and crunchy walnuts and sweet and tangy cranberries. I had planned stir fried broccoli and Hot and Sour Soup for the evening . This flavorful Pilaf paired so well with the Broccoli and soup.
It can also be paired with any vegetarian or non-vegetarian buttery curries like Paneer Makhani, Dal Makhani
The comforting pulao can be made on special occasions like Diwali parties, Thanksgiving or Christmas Lunch. It is good option for the kids who do not like spicy food. My 7 yr old, loved the crunchy walnuts along with cranberries in pilaf.
It is an excellent light and good option for kid's lunch box. You can also add almonds and cashew nuts along with raisins and make it a dry fruit pulao for your kids and even pack of office lunches.
More Rice One Pot Recipes from the blog that you can plan for Thanksgiving, Holiday or any festive menu
Check out more Rice recipe HERE
Recipe Card
Walnut and Cranberry Rice Pulao/Pilaf
Equipment
- Pan
- Ladle
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Basmati Rice or any long grain rice
- 10-12 Walnuts
- 2 tbsp Cranberry
- 1 tsp Cumin Seeds/Jeera
- 1 tbsp Butter/Ghee or any plant oil
- 1 tsp Oil
- 3-4 Garlic Cloves
- 1 small Onion
- 1.5 Cup Water/Vegetable stock
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Wash and soak rice for 15-20 minutes in enough water.1 Cup Basmati Rice
- In a heavy bottomed pan, add butter and oil.1 tbsp Butter/Ghee, 1 tsp Oil
- Chop finely or mince garlic and finely chop the onion.3-4 Garlic Cloves, 1 small Onion
- Add cumin seeds, when the seeds crackle, add finely chopped/minced garlic. Saute till brown in color. Do not burn garlic.1 tsp Cumin Seeds/Jeera
- Add onions, when onions turn translucent.1 small Onion
- Add walnuts and cranberries and saute for a minute or till cranberries swell up. Keep the flame to low.10-12 Walnuts, 2 tbsp Cranberry
- Drain water from rice and add to the pan.
- Saute for a minute then add water or stock. Add salt as per required. Mix well, lower the flame and cover the pan, cook rice till done. It takes another 10 minutes to cook rice.Salt to taste, 1.5 Cup Water/Vegetable stock
- Cook till water evaporates, check for the doneness of rice.
Notes
Do try this simple and easy Pulao recipe. This also go well with any tomato based or makhani curry.
Treat your loved ones to this delicious rice preparation that is wholesome, filling and so flavorful.
Also, whenever you try the recipe, I will love to hear/share your feedback or any queries in the comment section below. I will try to answer your queries as soon as possible.
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Swati
Day 1. A.. Aloo Matar Ki Tehri
Day 2. B..Broccoli Mushroom Pulao
Day 3 . C..Chana Dal Khichdi
Day 4. D..Dhaniya Pulao
Day 5. E.. Easy Steamed Rice in Instant Pot with Pot in Pot Method
Day 6. F.. Fresh Mint and Peas Pulao
Day 7. G.. Gatte Ka Pulao
Day 8. H.. Hari Moong Dal Khichdi
Day 9. I.. Iyengar Puliyogare(Instant)
Day 10. J.. Jeera Rice
Day 11. K.. Kashmiri Pulao
Day 12. L.. Lucknowi Veg. Dum Biryani
Day 13. M.. Mixed Veg Pulao
Day 14. N.. No-Onion No-Garlic Kadhai Paneer Pulao
Day 15. O.. Oats and Moong Dal Khichdi
Day 16. P.. Pearl Pulao
Day 17. Q..Quinoa Pulao
Day 18. R.. Rajasthani Kabuli(Jodhpuri Pulao)
Day 19. S.. Spicy Chilli Garlic and Bell Pepper Rice
Day 20. T.. Tomato Corn and Basil Pulao
Day 22. V. Vegetable Biryani in Instant Pot
srividhya
I got to try this instead of jeera rice one day. I love walnuts and this sounds perfect.
Srivalli Jetti
That combination of walnut and cranberry surely makes this so colourful!
gayathriraani
Adding nuts in pulao is one of my favorite. And that cranberries add such a beauty to the final dish. This would make a great centre piece in any table.
Sharmila Kingsly
Those walnuts and cranberry look super cute in the pulao... Yummy share..
Sushma Pinjala
Walnut and cranberry pulao looks so good. I have made persian cranberry rice for this theme somehow wasnt happy with the pics i have taken. The recipe is something similar to your dish. Good one
Renu Agrawal Dongre
Walnut and cranberries in a pulao is so unique. It must have added the necessary crunch to the rice. Even with almost no spice, the rice looks delicious and tempting.
Swati
Thanks Renu!! It is perfect for kids who do not like spicy good.
harini
Wow! I am sure the addition of walnuts and cranberries makes this extra special. Sounds very exotic as well.
Suma Gandlur
This sounds like dry fruits and nuts pulao without the usual frills. The simple flavors surely would entice the kids.