United Flavors of America – Arkansas’s Wild Rice

Arkansas’s Wild Rice

Arkansas is the #1 producing state of wild rice in the United States. The region is home to large masses of Swiss and German farmers who immigrated to the region in the 1800s and grew rice to accompany many traditional dishes of their homelands. An excellent source of protein, wild rice also provides the body with 8 essential amino acids. Naturally low in calories and almost no fat, wild rice is packed with B Vitamins, niacin and magnesium – all vital for building strong muscles and bones. It’s also gluten free.

Get a healthy dose of flavor in this Baked Vegetarian Dirty Wild Rice recipe:

1 cup wild rice

I cup vegetable stock

1 tbsp olive oil

1 small onion

1 medium green pepper

2 ribs celery

1 clove garlic

2 tsp Cajun seasoning

1 tsp thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

Boil rice according to package directions. Chop vegetables and sautee in olive oil until slightly soft. Mix with rice, vegetable stock and spices. Scoop into casserole dish and bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Stir. Cook until desired tenderness, adding more stock if too dry.