Herbed wild rice with mushrooms

Prep Time: 10 mins  Cook Time: 15 mins  Yield: 4-6 servings  Category: Side Dish

INGREDIENTS

* 2 cups vegetable or chicken stock

* 1 1/4 cups quick-cook wild rice blend

* Pinch of sea salt

* 2-3 bay leaves

* 3 Tablespoons butter

* 3/4 cup – 1 cup yellow onion, diced

* 3/4 cup carrot, diced (~4 carrots)

* 2 garlic cloves, minced

* 3/4 teaspoon dried parsley

* 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

* 9 button mushrooms, sliced (approximately 2 cups sliced)

* Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a medium or large saucepan, combine stock, rice, salt, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil and simmer, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes. Rice will have absorbed most of the liquid, but should still be semi-liquidy.

2. While rice simmers, melt butter into a large skillet, add onion and carrot. Saute for approximately 3 minutes and add garlic. Continue to saute for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add in dried herbs (rub between hands before adding to release flavors) and mushrooms. Saute for an additional 7 minutes, until mushrooms have cooked through.

3. Add rice (with extra liquid) to vegetable mixture and stir to combine. Continue simmering for approximately 3-5 minutes, until rice is cooked through and remains moist, but not wet.

4. Add salt and pepper to taste and remove bay leaves. Top with additional freshly chopped parsley if desired.

NOTES

Be sure to buy a quick-cook wild rice blend. OR check the cooking instructions on your rice if you’re willing to wait longer for dinner. As noted in the post, you may need to simmer for much longer depending on the type/brand of wild rice you have.