The Wild Truth About Wild Rice & Cooking Directions

Did you know that wild rice is not a rice at all?  Wild rice actually has no relation to the rice that most Americans are used to consuming.  With true wild rice offering superior health benefits over white and prepackaged wild rice mixes, I've decided to add it to our pantry.  With a bit of a learning curve when it comes to cooking this nutrition powerhouse, I decided it would be a good idea to share some tips and information with our readers. 

 

If wild rice isn't actually rice, what is wild rice really?  (Can you say that three times fast?).  True wild rice, or zinzania aquatica, is actually a water-grass seed and grows naturally in Canada and Minnesota.  It requires the cold waters found in the lakes and rivers of these areas.  And cold isn't the only important factor for growth; it must grow at the correct depths and receive the right amount of sunlight.  Too little or too much can inhibit or stop growth.

Tell me about wild rice and health.  After doing a bit of research, I found out that wild rice has a lot to offer in the way of nutrition.  High in dietary fiber and low in fat, wild rice is a great (any)mealtime addition.  Wild rice also offers an array of minerals, like potassium, riboflavin and niacin to name a few.  And if that's not enough to convince you to give it a try, wild rice is also gluten free and a great moderate anti-inflammatory food. 

I already hate cooking rice - it takes forever (and a day!).  I don't know about you, but I've often avoided adding rice to a meal just because of the lengthly cooking time or my inability to get the right amount of water each time I put some rice on the stove.  In my opinion, real, wild rice is less complicated to cook than spaghetti noodles.  If you're cooking wild rice for the first time, forget everything you already know about this staple.  There's no need to calculate a perfect measurement to ensure your rice is neither too sticky or too crunchy.  Just toss what you want into a pot, add some water and bring to a boil.  I let my rice cook for about 15-20 minutes at a low simmer while I work on the other parts of the meal.  As long as you have enough water (I suggest a 3:1 or more ratio), it's easy-peasy.  Once the rice is at your preferred consistency, just drain and serve! 

But will I like it?  Well, I can't guarantee you'll be a fan, but my pickiest eaters enjoy it at our house.  I really enjoy the additional flavor it can add to a dish.  Wild rice has a mild, nutty flavor and goes great with sweet treats or savory meals.  And if you don't want to eat it, you can still give it a try.  Wild rice can be used topically to treat burns and scalds, according to Herbs - Treat and Taste.  You can even make a poultice using wild rice to help with muscle spasms.  Stop by Naturally Simple Living for instructions to make your own with items you have on hand. 

Where can I buy authentic, wild rice?  There are a few options online and locally, though I can say finding a source at a brick and mortar store, living in a small town, hasn't been easy.  Lundburg is one company that I can recommend and have occasionally found in health food stores or at the local grocery.  I've shopped for wild rice, and other products, at an online store called Vitacost, as well as Amazon. 

Now that you (maybe) know a little more about wild rice, will you give it a go?  Leave your comments or questions below.

{I am not, and do not claim to be, a medical or dietary professional. Before trying anything new, I do my own research, and I encourage you to do the same. Please seek professional medical advice before making any changes that can affect your health or well-being. As a reader of Spring Mountain Living, you must be responsible for your own actions and decisions.