How To Make Wild Rice With Herbs

It is always nice to have an easy and delicious side dish in your back pocket of recipes and wild rice with herbs is just that. You can pair this with just about any meal with little issue and can even serve this as a main dish with some grilled vegetables thrown in for good measure. Here are five easy steps to the perfect wild rice with vegetables each and every time.
1. Wash Your Rice- with white and bleached rice you will not need to wash it but with wild rice, you may have a thing or two extra that you do not want to eat. You should take the time to lightly wash the rice to get out any husks or other debris that may have made its way into your rice. Now you can soak it for a time to allow the rice to get a bit softer which will cut cooking time but it is not necessary.
2. Figuring out Your Rice to Liquid Ratio- the next step is to figure out what ratio of water you need to how much rice you are going to cook. The ratio that most people use is two parts water to one part rice. This means one cup of rice for every two cups of water or whatever liquid you are using. Let’s say for this recipe that we are going to cook one cup of rice. Take two cups of chicken stock or veggie stock and put it in a kettle to boil.
3. Cooking Your Rice- you want to add your rice and allow it enough time to cook without being disturbed. Though you can stir it or add more water if it looks like it is running dry too far before it is done, it is always best to leave rice alone and allow it to do its own thing. Give your rice a good stir when you first drop it in, put the lid on and step back. You rice should be on medium heat and you should let it cook for approximately ten to twelve minutes. You should allow the rice time to cook on its own. While it is cooking, you can move on to the next step.
4. Choosing and Chopping Your Herbs- the next step is to choose and chop your herbs. You should use three to four different herbs for a complex flavor that is not too overwhelming. Though you can add more, three is a good balance that will give you plenty of flavor without being too over the top. Three herbs that work well together are rosemary, parsley, and basil. The rosemary and basil are floral and woody while the parsley is a great accent note that will round out the flavors. You should roll your basil leaves into a tube and cut them for great julienne pieces.
5. Add Your Herbs and Serve- after your rice is cooked and the water has evaporated, fluff your rice with a fork and add in your herbs mixing lightly. You can then serve with a touch of olive oil for garnish.