Updated on June 28th, 2022
Getting accustomed to Asian cuisines has made us fall in love with rice recipes. And as we go along, we discover more interesting varieties of this tasty dish. Today, many can’t get enough of the wild rice blend, which offers an exotic approach to rice dishes and recipes. And if you’re one of such fans, then you’ll learn many ways to make the best dishes from this ingredient here.
Rice Nutrition Facts
What is a Wild Rice Blend?
Surprisingly, the wild rice blend is made of seeds that aren’t rice, and instead, they’re derived from grass indigenous to aquatic regions of North America. And unlike its cultivated cousins, wild rice is gotten from rivers and lakes of Canada and Minnesota. No wonder the ingredient is so expensive. The wild rice blend comprises different varieties, including long-grain brown rice, regular wild rice, sweet brown rice, red rice, and black rice. And this myriad of components results in a combination of earthy, nutty, and toasty flavor that reminds you of black tea.
Tips for Cooking Wild Rice Blend
Wash it Thoroughly- You must wash the wild rice blend before cooking, and you do this by rinsing it under running water in a colander for a few minutes. Then, drain the rice, and you’re ready to cook it!
Cook in Broth- Though most rice recipes excel when cooked with water, you’ll attain a better taste when you cook wild rice blend in broth. And you can choose beef, chicken, or vegetable stock from the grocery store or make some in your kitchen. But when using broth, ensure that you know how salty it is to make adjustments in the recipe.
Add Nuts, and Herbs-Wild rice blend is renowned for its nutty flavor, and what better way to enhance this than to add more nuts. But you can also include herbs to contribute an earthy note to its unique flavor patter,
Cook with Veggies- If you like sautéed recipes, try combining your wild rice blend with chopped vegetables. This method is excellent for recipes like a pilaf, where the fresh flavor of veggies combines with wild rice’s nutty and earthy taste.
Avoid the Microwave Method- While your wild rice blend can be prepared in many ways, the microwave method isn’t recommended. This technique is slow and not as flexible as the rest. Plus, you won’t get the perfect texture expected due to its restrictive cooking procedure.
Get the Rice to Liquid Ratio Right- The stovetop method requires one and one-third cups of liquid for every cup of rice. For the instant pot method, you’ll need 1½ cups of liquid for every cup of wild rice mix. And the rice cooker method needs two cups of liquid for every cup of rice.
Soaking is Optional- Some prefer to soak their wild rice blend overnight before cooking, but it’s not essential. Truly, soaking the rice removes some phytic acids and makes it easy to digest. Plus, it reduces cooking time by 50%. But you can cook it straight away and still end up with great results. But if you must soak it, put the rice in a bowl, cover it with water, and let it sit for a maximum of two to three hours.
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Cooking Wild Rice Blend
Wild rice blend is a straightforward recipe and can be prepared in many ways. And here, you’ll discover the easiest methods for preparing this dish. These techniques also allow you to cook the wild rice mix to incorporate it into any recipe without qualms.
On the Stovetop
Put the wild rice mix in a pot and add liquid to it, along with some salt if needed. Then, place the pot over medium-high heat and cover it. Let it roll to a boil, then reduce the heat, so it simmers for 45 to 50 minutes until the liquid evaporates. Then, turn the heat off, and leave the pot to rest for 20 minutes before fluffing the rice with a fork.
In an Instant Pot
Put the washed rice in an instant pot, and add liquid and salt if needed. Then, close the lid. Seal the valve, and program the pressure cooker to Manual at 20 minutes. Afterward, let the instant pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes before venting the seal. Then, carefully open the cover and fluff the cooked rice with a fork or wooden spoon.
In a Rice Cooker
Grease the rice cooker with vegetable oil or butter. Then, add the rice, liquid, and salt if needed. Select the white rice (or brown rice) option and let it cook for 45 to 55 minutes. Then, let the cooked rice sit for 10 minutes before fluffing it with a wooden spoon or fork.
Instant Pot Wild Rice Blend(4 servings)
Ingredients
- One cup wild rice blend, rinsed
- One-and-a-half cup stock, salted
Instructions
- Put the wild rice mix in an instant pot, and add the stock. You can taste the stock to confirm if it’s salty enough and adjust the flavor with salt.
- Cover the pressure cooker and seal the lid. Then, position the valve to seal, set the pot to Manual and let it cook for 28 minutes at high pressure.
- Once the time elapses, let the pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes, carefully turn the knob to venting, open the lid, fluff the rice, and serve as desired.
- Wild rice blend works with vegetables and goes well with any meat or fish. It’s also great with seafood and excels in soups or topped with a thick sauce.
You can also consult this video recipe for more suggestions.
