Is cookout crashing a thing? It seems decidedly less stressful (and less rude) than wedding crashing, and you’re more likely to end up with new friends at the end instead of being taken out back by the bride’s older brother. Plus, it seems reasonably acceptable to show up at a cookout and barter food for entry, especially if that food happens to be a slow cooker filled with a delicious, summer-inspired wild rice pilaf. If you want to be even more certain of being admitted, pack a cooler.
In all seriousness, I am very, very excited for this weekend of casual dining, backyard imbibing, and (hopefully) long afternoons spent lazing in the sun. Potluck-style meals like those traditional to the Fourth of July are my absolute favorites, whether I’m the one hosting or the one ringing the doorbell. As a potluck/cookout guest, I love contributing to the meal and sampling the tasty dishes that everyone brings. As a cookout host, I love that I don’t have to stress about putting together an entire menu…and sampling the tasty dishes that everyone brings.
How to “Summer-ize” Slow Cooker Wild Rice Pilaf
While wild rice pilaf isn’t as traditional of a cookout side as say, Pesto Potato Salad, Pepperoni Pasta Salad, or even Southern Style Mustard Potato Salad, to me, that is part of its appeal. It’s a dish that feels fresh and different yet with enough familiar features and cozy qualities to fit right in beside the Easy Baked Beans and Cheesy Jalapeno Cornbread. For the recipe, I essentially took the critical components of classic wild rice pilaf then “summer-ized” it with seasonal ingredients.
The Ingredients
Sweet Corn + Bell Peppers. Fresh sweet corn and red bell peppers celebrate the summer produce that’s in its prime. Fresh Basil + Lemon. A generous handful of basil adds freshness and depth, and a final squeeze of lemon juice gives the recipe sunny vibrancy and life. Pine Nuts. For a bit of crunch, I added toasted pine nuts, which are lovely combined with the basil and lemon. If you prefer, you can easily omit them or swap another nut, such as pecans or almonds, which are more traditional.
My other big change to a classic wild rice pilaf recipe was to adapt it to the slow cooker. This crock pot method makes the recipe highly portable; you can take it right along with you in your slow cooker. If you are hosting, it’s also a good choice, because it keeps your oven completely free. I brought it along to a friend’s for a barbecue on Tuesday night, and we didn’t have a single grain of rice remaining!
More Slow Cooker Recipes to Share
Crockpot Mexican Chicken Crock Pot Creamed Corn Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Crockpot Breakfast Potatoes
Tools Used to Make This Recipe
Slow cooker Favorite, basically unbendable measuring cups and double-sided measuring spoons
