What is it?

Native to North America, wild rice is the seed of several species of aquatic grass. Despite its name, wild rice isn’t directly related to Asian types of rice, and these days, it’s as likely to be cultivated as harvested from the wild. High in protein and fiber, wild rice has a firm texture and a nutty flavor that make it a favorite ingredient in stuffings and side dishes. It’s available in three grades: best-quality, very long-grain giant; medium-grain fancy; and short-grain select. The long grains are deeply chewy, and add interest to pilafs and plain cooked rice varieties.

How to prep:

To cook wild rice, simmer it in lots of salted water or broth, but be careful not to overcook it. Properly cooked wild rice grains should look swollen but not broken. They should remain a bit firm on the outside, but feel tender to the bite on the inside. Burst grains are a sign of overcooking.

overcooked		properly cooked

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Recipes

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  Recipe

  Wild Rice with Roasted Grapes, Pecans, and Sage

  Maple-glazed pecans and balsamic-roasted grapes elevate this wild rice side dish to delicious new heights. Look for balsamic glaze near the vinegars at the supermarket.

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  Wild Rice with Pears, Sausage, and Candied Pecans

  Comice pears are one of the sweetest and most succulent varieties, with a rich buttery texture that pairs well here with the chewy wild rice and crunchy pecans. Take care…

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  Seafood Gumbo

  If you can, buy fresh shrimp with the shells and heads intact. If not, just the shells can be used to make the stock.

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  Wild Rice & Mushroom Soup with Almonds

  If you can’t find a ham hock, just leave it out—the soup will still taste terrific.

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  Beef & Wild Rice Soup with Winter Vegetables

  After cooking and eating your way through the holidays, there's nothing better than settling in with a warming bowl of hearty soup. Thanks in part to its wild rice, this…

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  Wild Rice Bread Dressing with Apple, Apricot & Sage

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  Wild Rice with Dried Cranberries & Hazelnuts

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  Cornish Game Hens Stuffed with Wild Rice & Leeks

  Some wild rice won’t soak up all the cooking liquid even when it’s fully cooked. If this is the case, just pour off the extra liquid and proceed with the…

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  Recipe

  Wild Rice & Cornbread Stuffing with Pears & Cranberries

  This all-American stuffing combines southern cornbread, New England dried cranberries, and wild rice from the Great Lakes.

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  Recipe

  Maple-Bacon Glazed Turkey with Wild Rice & Cornbread Stuffing & Bourbon Gravy

  Before roasting the turkey, we lay a few bacon strips on the breast, which keeps the meat moist and adds an edge of smoke. Cider and diced pears cook down…