Gluten-free Friday: Festive fruit and nut rice

Sometimes winter can be a bit dreary. To help you through the cold, dark days of the season, bring a little fruit into your meal. Sun-Maid has several recipe suggestions that might be just what you need!

Chase away the winter blahs with dried fruit

When fresh fruit from the farmers market seems like a long way off, you can count on a variety of dried fruits to snack on or add to your meals. This healthy recipe, courtesy of Sun-Maid, is not only gluten-free, but it makes a great low-fat side dish for your meal, too. This is a lovely dish served with roasted chicken or another type of hearty main dish.

Gluten can be found in many different foods and products, from ketchup to soy sauce to candy and seasonings. While SheKnows.com tries to ensure these recipes are gluten-free, carefully read the ingredient labels of all food and food products you use for these recipes to ensure they are also gluten-free.

Festive fruit and nut rice recipe

Serves 5

Ingredients:

• 1 cup long grain white or brown rice
• 1/4 cup pine nuts (or other chopped nuts)
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1 medium tomato, chopped
• 1/2 cup Sun-Maid Natural Raisins
• 8 to 10 Sun-Maid California Apricots, sliced into thin strips (about 1/4 cup)
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• Salt, to taste

Directions:

1. Prepare your chosen rice as the package recommends, but leave out any added salt or oil.
2. Using a large skillet, add your pine nuts and toast them over medium heat. Be sure to keep them moving so they don't burn. Toast them until they're golden. Once toasted, add the olive oil, onion and garlic. You'll cook this mixture, just for a few minutes (about five) until the onions start to lightly brown.
3. Add the chopped tomato to the mixture. Cook them until the liquid from the tomatoes is mostly gone.
4. Turn your heat to a low setting. To your vegetable mixture, add your rice, dried fruit and salt and pepper. Toss everything together until all is combined. Serve warm.

Even when the weather won't cooperate, you can easily add a touch of sunshine to your mealtime. Think dried fruit when you're craving something a little different to add to your dinner.

More gluten-free recipes to try

Gluten-free millet "tabbouleh"
Curried turkey salad and sandwich bread
Beefy bean soup
Ghirardelli fudgy brownies