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Cooking Wild Rice

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Grains > Grain Cooking Guide > Cooking Wild Rice

Hot Liquid Cooking Techniques for Grain | Cooking Wild Rice

The three basic techniques for cooking wild rice with hot liquid are boiling, absorption, and steaming, which are perhaps the most popular methods for cooking most whole grains. Often a combination of these methods is used to cook grain depending on the type of grain, the particular recipe, or the desired effect. Some grains benefit from soaking before they are cooked because cooking with hot liquid alone may not produce the optimum results.

Hot Liquid Cooking Techniques for Grain

Boiling

Boiling is one of the easiest methods for cooking grain. The grain is cooked uncovered in a large quantity of water. The grain and water are then dumped into a colander and drained for several minutes to remove the excess moisture. This method is often the best when there is some doubt as to the correct quantity of water that can be absorbed by the grain.

Absorption

Cooking grain with the absorption method is, perhaps, the method that most people are accustomed to when cooking many types of grain, but it is often the most difficult. This technique requires that the grain be cooked in a specific quantity of liquid, which can be readily absorbed by the grain. The absorption method may require some trial and error, but it is most often successful when slight adjustments are made to recipes based on variables that may affect the success of the absorption cooking method, such as the accuracy of the heat source, the altitude, and age and quality of the grain.

Steaming

Steaming is the third method for cooking grain and although it is the most time consuming, it produces beautifully cooked grain. The grain slowly absorbs moisture and cooks very evenly.

Steaming alone usually is not adequate for cooking many types of grain, so it is often used in conjunction with other cooking methods and techniques. Some grains are boiled briefly before they are steamed while others may simply require soaking in cold water for a period of time to tenderize the grains prior to steaming.

Cooking Wild Rice

Wild rice usually requires more time to cook than regular rice. Undercooked wild rice has a hard texture and is difficult to chew. It often is beneficial to soak the grain for several hours or even overnight prior to cooking. Wild rice that is cooked perfectly consists of tender chewy grains that are butterflied, well rounded, and plump. Many people prefer wild rice grains that are only slightly split with a texture that is firm and chewy. The cooking time may vary widely depending on the texture desired and the type of wild rice that is used (wild rice that is lighter in color usually cooks in less time than darker varieties). Although wild rice may be expensive, it expands to three to four times its original size when it is cooked, so one pound of wild rice is enough to provide up to thirty-five servings.

Wild rice is served as a tasty side dish or it is often used as an ingredient for soups and casseroles. A small quantity added to steamed vegetables or tossed into salads provides flavor and texture, and it is one of the best accompaniments for poultry and fish.

Cooking Wild Rice with the Boiling Method

In a large saucepan, bring four cups of water to a boil.
Add one cup of wild rice, and return to a boil.
Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and simmer the wild rice for about forty-five minutes.

Check the rice for doneness. If the rice is still too firm and chewy, simmer for an additional ten to fifteen minutes; then check the texture again. Grains that are only slightly split will be firm and chewy and grains that are fully butterflied will be tender.

The picture shows wild rice grains that have been cooked until slightly split—the texture is firm and chewy.
The picture shows wild rice grains that have been cooked until fully butterflied—the texture is tender but still slightly chewy, or al dente.
When the rice has reached the desired texture, drain it, season it, and serve it. This recipe yields about three one-cup servings.

Using Wild Rice as an Ingredient for Soup

Ingredients

3 slices of bacon
4 tablespoons minced onion
10½-ounce can cream of potato soup
2 cups milk
8 oz. American cheese
1 cup cooked wild rice
Salt and pepper

Preparation Cut 3 or 4 slices of bacon into 1-inch pieces. In a skillet, sauté the bacon pieces until lightly browned.
Add 4 tablespoons of minced onion to the skillet and continue cooking until the bacon is crisp and the onions are browned. Remove the pan form the heat and set aside.
In a large saucepan, combine a 10½-ounce can of cream of potato soup, 2 cups of milk, 8 ounces of American cheese, and the bacon and onion mixture. Cook the ingredients over medium heat until the cheese begins to melt.
Add 1 cup of thoroughly cooked wild rice.
Cover the saucepan and cook the soup on low to medium-low heat for 10 to 12 minutes until hot and bubbly and the cheese has fully melted.
Season the soup with salt and pepper. Additional milk can be added if the consistency of the soup is too thick. The recipe should provide about 6 one-cup servings.

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