Customizing a sweet and savory wild rice side dish is a great way to create a unique and delicious accompaniment for your meal. If you want to mix up the dried fruit in this recipe, you can substitute raisins, golden raisins, or dried cherries for the dried cranberries and apricots. Or, you can add chopped pear or apple right before serving to provide a fresh, refreshing sweetness and contrasting texture.
You can also experiment with different nut choices, such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds. If you need to make this recipe nut-free, simply swap out the pistachios for sunflower seeds or toasted sesame seeds. If you want to make this recipe vegan, trade the honey for maple syrup.
To make the rice dish more diverse, add sautéed or roasted vegetables like mushrooms, caramelized onions, bell peppers, or shallots to impart a savory depth. These can bring earthy and umami flavors to the dish. Experiment with herbs and spices to enhance the savory aspect — consider using thyme, rosemary, sage, or a dash of cayenne pepper for a little kick. You can also add any type of fresh herb, including thyme, basil, oregano, or chives.
