Description
Hearty Cheesy Wild Rice Soup brings Wisconsin comfort to winter dining tables. Creamy Wisconsin cheddar and tender wild rice combine in a satisfying bowl that warms souls from the first spoonful.
Ingredients
- 5 cups (1.2 L) chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups (480 ml) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (240 ml) wild rice, uncooked
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk (or half-and-half for extra creaminess)
- ½ cup (120 ml) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried rosemary
- salt and pepper, to taste
- fresh parsley, chopped
- crusty bread for serving
Instructions
- Rice Preparation: Boil water in a pot, then simmer wild rice until tender and split, about 40-45 minutes. Drain completely and reserve.
- Vegetable Foundation: Heat cooking fat in a Dutch oven over medium flame. Sauté onions, carrots, and celery until vegetables soften and develop rich aromatics, approximately 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute to release intense flavors.
- Liquid Base Creation: Pour chicken broth into the pot. Integrate milk, thyme, and bay leaf, allowing the mixture to simmer and develop nuanced flavor profiles for 10 minutes. Incorporate prepared wild rice, permitting grains to meld with liquid for 5 additional minutes.
- Cheese Integration: Reduce heat to low. Gradually whisk shredded cheese into the soup, creating a smooth, luxurious texture. Season with salt and pepper, balancing the overall taste profile.
- Finishing Touch: Remove bay leaf to prevent bitter undertones. Ladle soup into serving bowls, garnish with an extra cheese sprinkle, and serve alongside crusty artisan bread for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
Choose High-Quality Wild Rice: Select whole-grain wild rice with an intact dark exterior for maximum nutty flavor and nutritional benefits.
Prevent Cheese Separation: Reduce heat to low when adding cheese and whisk slowly to ensure smooth, creamy texture without curdling or clumping.
Control Cooking Liquid: Adjust broth and milk quantities based on desired soup thickness – more liquid creates thinner consistency, less creates heartier soup.
Enhance Dietary Adaptability: Swap chicken broth with vegetable stock for vegetarian version, use gluten-free flour for thickening, and substitute dairy-free cheese alternatives for lactose-sensitive diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 458
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 66 mg