This Autumn Harvest Rice Pilaf is a delightful and unique fall side dish or a standalone vegetarian meal. It combines the comforting flavors of butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, cranberries, and warming spices, making it perfect for a cozy and one-of-a-kind autumn dinner. Enjoy!

Keep in mind for this recipe we are using our Magnifique Everyday Rice & Grain Cooker which has a sauté mode which means you can make this whole meal in pot!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup butternut squash, diced into small cubes
• 1 cup Brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Begin by rinsing the rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.

2. In your rice cooker, heat the olive oil using the sauté function to sauté the following ingredients until the onion becomes translucent:

   • Finely chopped onion
   • Butternut squash cubes
   • Quartered Brussels sprouts

3. Once the vegetables are lightly sautéed, add the rinsed rice and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until the rice is slightly toasted.

4. Add the chicken or vegetable broth, dried cranberries, dried thyme, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper to the rice cooker. Stir to combine all the ingredients.

5. Close the rice cooker lid, and set it to the "Cook" or "White Rice" setting. Let it cook according to the rice cooker's instructions. It should take about 20-30 minutes.

6. While the rice pilaf is cooking, toast the chopped pecans or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium-low heat until they become fragrant and slightly golden. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.

7. Once the rice cooker indicates that the cooking is complete, let the rice sit for an additional 10 minutes with the lid closed. This helps the rice absorb any remaining liquid and become perfectly fluffy.

8. Fluff the rice pilaf with a fork, and then gently fold in the toasted nuts.

9. Transfer the Autumn Harvest Rice Pilaf to a serving dish and garnish with some extra dried cranberries and fresh thyme leaves for a festive touch.