This comforting dish combines nutty wild rice with savory mushrooms and crispy bacon for a robust, home-style meal. The earthy flavor of the wild rice pairs perfectly with the umami-rich mushrooms and smoky bacon, creating a satisfying texture that is both chewy and tender. While traditionally a side dish, this recipe works wonderfully as a light main course or a hearty addition to any dinner table. It requires minimal active cooking time, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully during the simmering process. Perfect for chilly evenings or when you crave something warm, rustic, and deeply flavorful without complicated techniques.
Wild Rice With Mushrooms (Canadian
Description
This comforting dish combines nutty wild rice with savory mushrooms and crispy bacon for a robust, home-style meal. The earthy flavor of the wild rice pairs perfectly with the umami-rich mushrooms and smoky bacon, creating a satisfying texture that is both chewy and tender. While traditionally a side dish, this recipe works wonderfully as a light main course or a hearty addition to any dinner table. It requires minimal active cooking time, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully during the simmering process. Perfect for chilly evenings or when you crave something warm, rustic, and deeply flavorful without complicated techniques.Ingredients
Directions
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Rinse the wild rice thoroughly in a fine-mesh strainer, lifting it with your fingers to remove any dust or impurities.
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In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed wild rice, cold water, and chicken bouillon.
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Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer.
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Cover the saucepan and simmer for 60 minutes, or until the rice grains have split and are tender but still chewy.
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Meanwhile, place the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat and cook until partially crisp.
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Add the sliced mushrooms, chopped green onions, and dried thyme to the skillet with the bacon.
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Continue cooking the mixture until the bacon is fully crisp and the mushrooms are soft and browned.
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Drain off any excess fat from the skillet, leaving the bacon and vegetable mixture intact.
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Once the rice is cooked, drain any remaining liquid from the saucepan.
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Add the bacon and mushroom mixture to the cooked wild rice and stir gently to combine.
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Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
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Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 322.1kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 21.3g33%
- Saturated Fat 7.1g36%
- Cholesterol 24.1mg9%
- Sodium 861.6mg36%
- Total Carbohydrate 10.8g4%
- Dietary Fiber 0.5g2%
- Sugars 1.2g
- Protein 20.7g42%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Wild rice can be time-consuming and more expensive than regular rice, so plan accordingly. It absorbs water more slowly, so be prepared to give it extra time if needed.
For a vegetarian variation, omit the bacon and sauté the mushrooms and green onions in butter or olive oil instead.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water or broth to restore moisture.
