On the Wild Side

Sharing food is one of the most powerful ways for us as neighbors to connect. I love wild rice! What's not to love. The nutty aromatic flavor? The texture? The health benefits? Let's compare it to Brown rice, which I also love.

A 1/4 cup of uncooked brown rice contains 171 calories, 3.6 grams of protein, 1.3 grams of fat, 35 grams of carbohydrates, and 1.6 grams of fiber.

A 1/4 cup of uncooked wild rice contains 142 calories, 5.8 grams of protein, .4 grams of fat, 30 grams of carbohydrates, and 2.4 grams of fiber.

From a nutrition standpoint, it looks like wild rice is the clear winner. It does take longer to cook but it's worth the time. I cook 2-4 cups at a time and add it to other foods. I separate it into smaller portions, since it freezes well.

Let's take a wok on the wild side together. Have you stir fried it with brown rice, white rice, fried rice? Combine two or three, wouldn't that be nice?

Put some in your pot of chili, make it gourmet, make it simple or just be silly. How about adding some to your pancake batter? Put it in chicken soup, or any soup for that matter. I've added it to my oatmeal with some fruit. "My wild oats", Ok, now isn't that too cute?

I've given you some ideas that work for me.
What will you add it to, we'll wait and see.

Here are some easy ways to cook wild rice (thanks to about.com). One cup uncooked wild rice yields 3 to 4 cups cooked wild rice.
How to Steam Wild Rice: In a medium sauce pan, bring wild rice, 3 cups water, and 1/2tsp. salt to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to maintain a steady simmer, and cook until rice is tender and kernels pop open, 45 to 60 minutes. Uncover and fluff with a fork. Simmer five additional minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain off any excess liquid. Steamed wild rice has many popped kernels and a very tender texture.

How to Boil Wild Rice: Bring 6 cups water to a boil. Add 1 tsp. salt and 1 cup wild rice. Bring back to a boil before reducing heat to maintain a low boil. Cook until rice is tender, about 45 minutes. Drain in a sieve or fine-mesh colander. Boiled wild rice tends to have tender, but intact kernels.

How to Bake Wild Rice: Combine 1 cup wild rice with 2 cups boiling water or broth and salt to taste in a 2-quart casserole with a tight fitting lid. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour. Check wild rice. Add more water or broth, if needed, and fluff with a fork. Continue baking until wild rice is tender and still moist, about 30 minutes.

How to Microwave Wild Rice: Combine 1 cup water and 3 cups water or broth and 1/2 tsp. salt in a covered 2-quart glass or other microwave safe container. Microwave on full power for 5 minutes. Microwave on 50 percent power for 30 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes and drain.

How to Pressure Cook Wild Riced: Follow manufacturers directions. This is my preferred method.

Enjoy!
Suzi Day