How to Make a Nutritious Wild Rice Blend from Bulk Barn

According to the Bulk Barn website, some pre-packaged rice blends include a mix of long grain brown rice, wild rice, and other specialty grains. By sourcing your own mix, you can easily customize how you make wild rice blend at Bulk Barn, controlling the proportions and adding other ingredients for enhanced flavor and nutrition. This approach offers both cost savings and the ability to create a truly unique side dish.

Quick Summary

A detailed guide on creating a custom wild rice blend using ingredients from Bulk Barn. Learn which grains to combine, the ideal cooking method, and how to add extra flavor for a hearty and cost-effective dish.

Key Points

• Start with a Base Mix: Combine wild rice with other grains like long grain brown rice, red rice, and barley to create your custom blend.

• Master the Pasta Method: Cook the blend in a large amount of boiling, salted water, then drain it for perfectly cooked grains with less risk of burning.

• Enhance Flavor with Broth: Use vegetable, chicken, or beef broth instead of water to infuse your rice with richer, savory notes.

• Add Nutty Crunch: Toast nuts like almonds or pecans and stir them into the finished wild rice blend for added texture and flavor.

• Utilize Bulk Barn's Variety: Take advantage of the wide selection of grains, dried herbs, and other pantry staples at Bulk Barn to customize your mix.

Wild rice is not actually a rice but the seed of an aquatic grass, offering a unique, nutty flavor and a chewy texture. Sourcing individual ingredients from Bulk Barn allows you to experiment with different proportions and additions, creating a blend that perfectly suits your taste. While packaged blends are convenient, building your own allows you to control the quality, ratio, and ultimate flavor profile of your finished dish.

Choosing Your Grains

To make a wild rice blend, you'll need a base of several different rice types. Bulk Barn offers a variety of grains that can be combined to achieve a delicious and well-balanced mix. The key is to select grains with similar cooking times or to pre-soak those that take longer.

Primary Blend Ingredients

• Wild Rice: The star of the show. It has the longest cooking time and provides a distinct, nutty flavor and chewy bite.
• Long Grain Brown Rice: A great pairing for wild rice, it adds a wholesome, earthy flavor and a softer texture that complements the wild rice's chewiness.
• Red Rice: Incorporates a beautiful color and a slightly nutty flavor. Some blends at Bulk Barn already include red rice.

Optional Additions

• Barley: This grain adds a chewier texture and a richer, earthier flavor. It's an excellent filler for a more complex blend.
• Lentils: While not a grain, a small amount of lentils, especially black or brown, can add an interesting texture and boost the protein content of your mix.
• Quinoa: A quick-cooking grain that can be added at the end of the cooking process to ensure it doesn't get mushy. It adds a complete protein and a unique, light texture.

Ratio Recommendations

A good starting ratio for your blend is 1 part wild rice to 2 parts long grain brown rice. This ratio ensures the flavor and texture of the wild rice are present without being overwhelming. If adding other grains, you can adjust the ratio accordingly. For instance, a four-grain blend might be 1 part wild rice, 1 part brown rice, 1 part red rice, and 1 part barley.

Cooking Your Custom Bulk Barn Blend

Cooking a custom blend requires a bit more attention than a pre-packaged one, as different grains have varying cooking times. A solid technique is the pasta method, where you cook the grains in a larger amount of water and then drain them.

The Pasta Method for Wild Rice Blends

1. Rinse: Thoroughly rinse your custom blend under cool water until the water runs clear. This removes any debris or excess starch.
2. Boil: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, much like you would for pasta. Add salt to the boiling water to season the grains from the inside out.
3. Cook: Add your rinsed wild rice blend to the boiling water. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 35–45 minutes, or until the wild rice kernels have burst open and all the grains are tender. The cooking time will vary depending on the ratio of your blend.
4. Drain: Once cooked, drain the excess water using a fine-mesh strainer. Unlike white rice, a wild rice blend does not need to absorb all the cooking liquid.
5. Fluff and Serve: Return the grains to the pot, cover, and let them steam for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Comparison of Cooking Methods

Method	Water-to-Rice Ratio	Cook Time	Pros	Cons
Stovetop (Absorption)	1 cup rice to 2.5 cups water	35–45 minutes	Simple, one-pot method	Requires more precise timing; risk of burning if liquid absorbs too quickly
Stovetop (Pasta)	1 cup rice to 4 cups water	35–45 minutes	More forgiving, grains are perfectly cooked	Requires draining, extra step
Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker	1 cup rice to 1.5 cups stock	~28 minutes cook time, plus natural release	Fast, hands-off cooking	Less control over final texture

Flavor Enhancements and Meal Ideas

Elevate your custom wild rice blend with some simple additions. Since you're using individual ingredients from Bulk Barn, you can get creative with what you mix in.

Flavorful Additions (Purchase at Bulk Barn)

• Vegetable Broth: Substitute water with chicken, beef, or vegetable broth for a more savory flavor.
• Dried Herbs: Add dried thyme, sage, or basil directly to the cooking water.
• Onions and Garlic: Sauté diced onion and minced garlic in butter or olive oil before adding the grains and cooking liquid.
• Dried Fruit: Stir in some dried cranberries or raisins for a hint of sweetness.
• Nuts and Seeds: Toast slivered almonds, pecans, or pumpkin seeds and stir them into the finished rice for extra crunch and flavor.

Conclusion

Making a wild rice blend from scratch with Bulk Barn's bulk ingredients is a rewarding and customizable process. It empowers you to craft a delicious, wholesome, and budget-friendly side dish that is perfectly tailored to your preferences. By selecting a variety of grains, using a flexible cooking method like the pasta technique, and experimenting with flavor additions, you can create a wild rice blend that is both unique and incredibly satisfying.

Tips for Success

• When buying grains in bulk, it is a good practice to store them in airtight containers to maintain freshness.
• Pay close attention to the texture of the wild rice kernels as they cook; they should burst open to reveal their soft interior.
• Don't be afraid to experiment with different ratios and additions. The beauty of a custom blend is that you can make it your own.
• If your final blend has too much liquid, simply place it back on low heat, covered, for a few extra minutes to absorb or evaporate the excess moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grains should I use to make a wild rice blend from Bulk Barn?

You can combine Bulk Barn's bulk wild rice with long grain brown rice, red rice, barley, and even lentils to create a customized and varied blend.

Do different grains in a wild rice blend require different cooking times?

Yes, different grains have varying cooking times. Wild rice takes longer to cook than brown rice, so the overall cook time will be determined by the wild rice. Cooking in excess water (the pasta method) ensures all grains cook evenly without becoming mushy.

Can I use broth instead of water to cook my Bulk Barn wild rice blend?

Yes, using broth (vegetable, chicken, or beef) instead of water is a great way to add more depth of flavor to your wild rice blend.

What is the best way to cook a mixed grain wild rice blend?

The pasta method is highly recommended for custom blends. Boil the grains in a large pot of salted water until tender, then drain the excess water.

How do I prevent my wild rice blend from getting mushy?

To prevent mushiness, cook the grains in plenty of water (the pasta method) and drain them as soon as they are tender. Avoid over-stirring while cooking.

What ingredients from Bulk Barn can I add for extra flavor and texture?

Bulk Barn offers a variety of additions, including dried cranberries, slivered almonds, spices like sage or thyme, and sautéed onions and garlic.

Is it cheaper to make my own wild rice blend from Bulk Barn ingredients?

In many cases, yes. Buying individual grains in bulk can be more cost-effective than purchasing pre-packaged blends, allowing you to create your own mix for less.