N.G. in Minnesota’s One Pan Wild Rice Hotdish
This is a very simple recipe that allows for a lot of flexibility. There are five basic components, and the combinations are endless. This is a great thing when you cant just run down to the corner market to shop. Wild rice is plentiful in my area. I can buy a 12 oz bag for $2.99. If wild rice is expensive, or not common in your neck of the woods, substitute white or brown rice, and adjust accordingly. Instead of 2 cups wild rice and 6 cups water, use 3 cups white or brown rice and 6 cups water.
2 Tbls Fat (I prefer butter or bacon grease, but oil could be used)
1lb Meat (chicken, grouse, pheasant, beef, pork, venison, turkey, rabbit, etc) cut into ½ inch pieces
1 Onion finely diced
2 c Wild Rice
6 c Water or Broth (chicken or beef depending on meat choice)
3 c Orange Veggie (squash, sweet potato, carrots, etc or combination of any) cut into ¾ inch cubes
1 c Dried Fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots, apples, strawberries, etc)
3 c Green Veggie (green beans, broccoli, celery, etc or combination of any) cut into ¾ inch pieces
Salt and Pepper
In a 3 qt or larger Dutch oven, deep sided frying pan, or stock pot, over medium high heat, melt fat. Brown meat and onion for about 5 minutes, stirring often. Add broth and rice. Cover and simmer about 15 minutes. Add orange veggies and fruit, stir, and simmer for 30 minutes. Add green veggies, salt and pepper to taste, stir, and simmer an additional 10 minutes, or until water is absorbed and veggies are tender.
Chef’s Notes:
This recipe will easily serve six adults. If you are using leftover cooked meat (a great way to get rid of a holiday turkey) add the meat when you add the green veggies. If you are using canned veggies, use the water from them as part of your broth and then add the veggies during the last 10-15 minutes so they don’t become mush. Dried veggies can also be used so long as you adjust the amount of liquid needed to account for them rehydrating.
If you raise or hunt your own meat, and grow your own veggies, this recipe will cost less than $.60/person. That cost can be brought down even more if you use white or brown rice. Not bad for a colorful, nutritious, hearty meal.
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