• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Herbivore Cucina

  • Recipe Index
  • Indian
  • Instant Pot
  • Air-Fryer
  • International
  • Cakes & Bakes
  • More..
    • Featured
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Instant Pot
  • LTK Shop
    • Amazon Store
  • Contact
  • Get Social

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About Me
    • Recipe Index
    • Instant Pot
    • LTK Shop
      • Amazon Store
    • Contact
  • Get Social

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Rice

    Published: Sep 20, 2016 · Modified: Mar 10, 2022 by Smruti · This post may contain affiliate links · 13 Comments

    Wild Rice Pilaf

    Blogging Marathon #68 Week 4 Day 2

    Theme: Rice Dishes

    Dish: Wild Rice Pilaf



    Today is the second day of the Rice theme in this month long Cooking Carnival. Yesterday I posted a recipe using Basmati Rice known for its white color, refined texture and flavor. Today is just the opposite. The rice for today is Wild Rice. This type of rice is black in color, earthy texture and rustic flavor. 


    This black wild rice is believed to be really healthy and so we enjoy a dish using it occasionally. Back in India I have never seen this kind of rice. However, here in the US the rice can be easily found. I generally get mine from the bulk buy section of Whole Foods. The first time I got this rice, I had no idea how to make it. Experimenting with it a few times led me to understand that the rice is pretty earthy and has a distinct flavor. 


    As the rice has it's own flavor, it is best cooked with light add-ins. Adding a lot of vegetables or overpowering masalas makes the rice lose its character. I rarely add cumin and asafoetida in this rice as they are known to have a strong flavor. I leave out garlic as well. However, you can add the ingredients you like. 


    The rice is rather tough as it comes with the outer husk. Thus, it helps to soak them overnight as it shortens the cooking time. The rice can be cooked in vegetable stock or water. Keep adding water if it get absorbed while cooking. Once cooked, add the vegetables tossed with whole spices and mix in. You can cook the rice in a pressure cooker too. It should take about 10-15 minutes to cook the soaked rice.  Add the vegetables of choice or just add the seasonings and serve with raita, salad or even dal.



    Ingredients



    Wild Rice 1 cup

    Vegetables  1 cup (Zucchini, Carrots, Peppers, Broccoli, Peas and Onion)

    Spices (Star Anise 1-2, Cloves 3-4, Cinnamon 1 inch piece)

    Oil 1 tbsp

    Biryani Masala 1 tsp

    Turmeric Powder ½ tsp

    Red Chili Powder 1 tsp

    Chilli Ginger Paste 1 tsp

    Salt as required 

    Mint leaves to garnish


    Method

    Wash and soak the black rice in 2 cups water overnight or atleast 5-6 hours. Then, boil the rice with a pinch of salt. It takes about 40-45 minutes. Alternatively, cook in pressure cooker for 10-15 minutes.  Set aside.

    Ribbon the zucchini and carrots. Slice onion, pepper and separate the florets of broccoli. In a pan heat oil and add the spices. Once they are fragrant, add the chilli ginger paste and cook till the raw flavor vanishes. Then add the onions and peppers. Cook till soft and add the remaining vegetables. Also add the biryani masala, turmeric powder and red chilli powder. Cook on medium flame till the vegetables are cooked. 

    Once the vegetables are cooked, add the rice and adjust the salt. Mix it all well and turn down the heat. Serve garnished with mint and with pickle, raita or salad on the side. 

    Check out the Blogging Marathon page to see what the other Blogging Marathoners are doing for BM# 68

    An InLinkz Link-up


    « Brown Rice Parsi Style
    One Pot Pumpkin Risotto »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gayathri Kumar says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      We don't get this rice here. I saw this first in Pavani's space and next at yours. This dish looks so colourful with all the veggies and sounds so nutritious..

      Reply
    2. MySpicyKitchen says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      I never tried wild rice. Have to give it a try. I like your presentation, specially spiral zucchini and carrots strips

      Reply
    3. vaishali sabnani says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      Yes we do get the wild rice here in organic stores, though they are not very popular. I have a pack of these and have been wanting to cook..Pavani had a nice salad with it which is on my bookmarks and now this rice. Thanks for all the tips, they were much needed.

      Reply
    4. Harini R says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      Looks very appealing with so many colors on the plate. I have not experimented with wild rice yet as I fear there won't be any takers at home 🙂

      Reply
    5. Nalini's Kitchen says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      Wild rice pulao sounds amazing and looks colorful..

      Reply
    6. Kalyani says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      My sister in the US likes this n cooks wild rice quite a bit ! This pilaf looks great

      Reply
    7. Priya Suresh says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      I get this rice in chinese store but never tempted to pick a packet. Now after going through this pilaf, i want to give a try, thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    8. Srividhya says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      Wild rice looks amazing and that color wow.. let me soak them overnight and try it out.. love those shaves veggies. yum

      Reply
    9. Suma Gandlur says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      I haven't dared to buy the wild rice for the same reason Haring mentioned. The veggies add a colorful contrast to the dish.

      Reply
    10. Srivalli says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      What a colourful and fantastic presentation!...never tried this rice..I haven't even checked if we get it.:)

      Reply
    11. Archana says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      This is the second time in this marathon that we have wild rice and I do not think its available here. Its just beautiful I loved it at Pavanis place and now too flipping for it.

      Reply
    12. Pavani says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      Never tried any Indian dish with wild rice. Your pilaf looks colorful and delicious.

      Reply
    13. cookingwithsapana says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      I have never tried wild rice. The pilaf looks so colorful and inviting.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    About Me

    Smruti headshot

    This blog is dedicated to one of my greatest passions, Cooking. I have always loved to cook, especially trying out some unconventional recipes.

    Learn more about me →

    Holi Recipes

    • Thandai Masala Recipe | Thandai Powder
    • Rose Shrikhand Popsicles
    • Rose Thandai
    • Thandai Ice Cream
    • Baked Thandai Gujiya
    • Thandai | Spiced Milk Drink

    Popular Recipes

    • Air Fryer Noodles
    • Papdi Chaat Dip
    • Rose Boba (Bubble) Tea
    • Air Fryer Handvo
    • Instant Rose Peda
    • Instant Pot Tom Yum Soup

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Me
    • Work with Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Herbivorecucina.com