Today, we’re talking all about how to cook wild rice. Wild rice is hearty, naturally gluten-free and exudes a delicious nutty flavour. It is an excellent option for stir-fry, rice bowls, pilafs, soups, casseroles and even salads. Did you know that wild rice isn’t actually rice? Botanically speaking, it is the seed of a species of marsh grass but because of it’s cylindric shape, it looks like brown rice.
Wild rice is rich in fibre, protein, B vitamins and phytochemicals. 100 grams of wild rice includes 4 grams of protein! I highly suggest adding wild rice to your upcoming dishes. Wild rice can be more expensive than regular types of rice simply because of its rarity and hand-harvesting process. Traditionally, wild rice was grown in insolated lake and riverbeds, used primarily for indigenous dishes but now most of the rice we find is cultivated in the Minnesota and California.
How do we cook wild rice? The easiest way to cook wild rice is on the stovetop. As with all rice, it’s best practice to rinse the rice before you cook it to remove any residue or bacteria. Rinse the rice until the water is fully clear. Wild rice absorbs liquid slower than other types of rice so your average stovetop cook time is going to around 40 minutes.
Simple steps for cooking wild rice:
- Add water and salt into a pot and bring it to a boil.
- Rinse the rice and add it to the boiling water.
- Cover the pot with a lid and bring it to a boil again.
- Turn the heat down to medium-low and leave the lid slightly open to help steam escape.
- Let simmer for 40-45 mins.
- After 40 mins check the texture. It shouldn’t be hard in the middle.
Cooked wild rice can be stored in the fridge, in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Do you have a favourite dish using wild rice? Share it below in the comment section!
If you’re looking for more How-To’s try my recipes for How To Make Cashew Ricotta and How To Make Rice Paper Bacon.
