There are a lot of reasons to crave wild rice. It is beautiful, nutty, and has a nice bite to it. It goes well with smoky foods and fruits, and somehow lends a sense of seriousness and sophistication to a plate - an element that is often hard to come by.

Look for wild-rice with extra-long grains, it's often the highest quality and a fun change from traditional-length rice grains. Have you seen the wild rice grains that are over an inch long!?

Here's a favorite wild rice recipe, a wild rice bowl with dried cranberries and toasted pine nuts.

Wild Rice Bowl with Dried Cranberries

2 cups wild rice, washed and drained
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted in a dry pan
1 cup red onions, slivered
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Garnish; more slivered red onions - looks beautiful next to the natural shades of the wild rice.

Fill a large pot pot with generously salted water. Add the wild rice and boil, uncovered for 55 minutes or so. You will know the rice is done when many of the grains are cracked open and tender, revealing the lighter inside.

Remove from the heat and drain off the water. Stir in the pine nuts, red onions, and dried cranberries. Garnish with more onions.

This is fantastic served hot or cold.

Serves 4 to 6.