High in protein and fiber, low in fat, a great source of potassium and B vitamins, and gluten-free, wild rice is a nutritious anytime food. In fact, the Chippewa Indians ate it for every meal—even breakfast. Chippewa-style cereal consisted of cooked wild rice (or manoomin, as they called it) topped with cranberries and maple syrup. Today, there are many other ways to enjoy wild rice. These classic recipes are easy to make, fun to cook, and sure to win anyone over.
Classic Wild Rice Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 cup wild rice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups bouillon or chicken broth
- 1 can mushrooms or fresh mushrooms
Directions:
- Put the wild rice in a saucepan and cover with water. Add salt and bring just to a boil, then pour off water (to remove any residue on wild rice). Repeat three times. Drain well.
- Transfer wild rice to a casserole dish and add butter, chicken broth, and mushrooms. (If using fresh mushrooms, cook them in butter first and drain off liquid.)
- Cover and bake the casserole for approximately 1 hour or until all liquid is absorbed. Cultivated wild rice (see note below) will take longer to cook. Other ingredients can be added to this casserole, such as slivered almonds or chopped green onion. Serves 6-8.
Classic Wild Rice Soup
Ingredients:
- 1-2 cups cooked wild rice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon minced onion
- ¼ cup flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cream
- ¼ cup cooking sherry
- Fresh chopped parsley
Directions:
- Melt butter in stock pot, then add onion and cook until softened.
- Blend in flour and chicken broth and cook until thickened.
- Add the wild rice and salt and simmer for five minutes. Blend in the cream and sherry.
- Top with fresh chopped parsley. Serves 6-8.
Classic Wild Rice Pudding
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked wild rice
- 2 cups scalded milk or half-and-half
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ cup maple syrup (or ¼ cup maple syrup and ¼ cup honey)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Additional cinnamon and sugar
Directions:
- Preheat the over to 350 degrees.
- Combine the first seven ingredients and pour into a casserole dish. Sprinkle the mixture with additional cinnamon and sugar.
- Bake for one hour or until set.
- Serve warm or chilled. For a more colorful dessert, top with fresh berries and whipped cream. Serves 8-10.
Note: Wild rice can be purchased in two varieties—cultivated or organic. Cultivated wild rice can usually be found in grocery stores, whereas the organic rice is more often a specialty store item. While cultivated wild rice is generally darker in color, crunchier, and less expensive, some people prefer the texture and taste of the organic rice better.
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