A Minnesotan Classic Soup
Back in my road-tripping days as a garnish-peddler (a.k.a. salesperson who sold cocktail garnishes), I made a lot of trips to Minnesota where wild rice soup has undoubtedly earned its place as Minnesota’s unofficial-but-should-be-official soup.
In case you are unfamiliar, there is nothing more quintessentially Minnesotan than a soup or hot dish that includes wild rice. After all, wild rice is the state’s official grain—a designation that dates back to 1977. If you want to learn more about Minnesota-grown lake-harvested wild rice, be sure to check out my post and recipe for Lake-Harvested Wild Rice, Cranberry, and Kale Pilaf.
The Minnesota Soup Found Almost Everywhere
Thinking back, I cannot recall a single restaurant I visited over the years that did not make some version of a wild-rice soup, wild rice pilaf, or a wild rice casserole to feature on their menu. And like most travelers visiting, I always asked the staff to track down and share their recipes. Some would not, but others were thrilled to disclose their wild rice recipe secrets.
Wild rice, by the way, is not rice at all. It is the seed of a grass that bears a resemblance to rice. The grain thrives in marshes and paddies in northern Minnesota. So botanically, it isn’t a grain.
In this recipe, I have joined a few favorite elements from each of the wild rice soups I’ve eaten. Starting with wild rice in a creamy soup base, then adding asparagus and crab to the ingredient list. But there are many more possibilities.
Flexibility is one of Minnesota's authentic #wildrice soup’s strongest selling points. The appeal is in all the unending ways you can make #wildrice soup, just the way you like it, according to your favorite tastes.
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It's a soup you can make your own...
If you prefer adding more wild rice, do it! Don’t like asparagus or crab? Leave them out. Love carrots and mushrooms? Add them in. Instead of crab add chicken, or use turkey, ham, or bacon. If you hunt or fish, add duck, pheasant, goose, fish, or rabbit. And if the fish or other game is smoked, so much the better, making it exceptionally good because it elevates the flavor complimenting the earthy nutty taste of the wild rice deliciously well.
Skip the animal proteins entirely to make it vegetarian – or go vegan by skipping the cream, substitute olive oil or sunflower oil for the butter, and enlist a mushroom or vegetable broth. Stir in some spinach, broccoli, or kale.
Thick or thin...
If you like the soup soupier add more broth. Or thicker? Add a little more flour or some cheese. Creamier? Add a can of mushroom soup. Spicy? Add Tabasco sauce. You get the idea.
"Foodformation" (Food Information to Know)
When buying asparagus…
Look for firm, uniform-sized straight spears with closed and dry tips.
To keep it fresh longer…
- Place the cut stems in a tall glass or sturdy container filled with 1-2 inches of cold water – like putting flowers in a vase. Place in the refrigerator, changing the water at least once daily until ready to use.
What to do before you use asparagus…
- Rinse asparagus spears under cold water to remove any dirt or grit. Snap off the bottom inch of the stem to remove any woody parts. The stems will naturally break where the woody part ends and the tender stem begins. Dry the spears by patting them dry between two kitchen towels.
How asparagus can be eaten…
- Eat it raw or cooked. It’s low on calories, about 20 calories per spear, and it packs a powerful punch of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber that is great for digestive health. A natural diuretic, eating asparagus is an excellent way to help cleanse your body of excess salt and fluids by activating the functions of the liver and kidneys that flush out toxins and aid in preventing kidney stones.
Yep, asparagus contains a natural sulfurous organic compound called mercaptan. The same compound is found in other foods, too, like brussels sprouts, cumin, garlic, onions, fish, coffee, and alcohol. When your digestive system breaks down mercaptan, the by-products that are released make a gas that is well-known for giving your pee that rotten-like smell.
After eating foods that can make your pee smell, you might notice that your urine smells strong as soon as 15-minutes after eating asparagus, but do not worry, the max that it may stick around will only be up to maybe 14 hours. And guys, you might also notice that asparagus can make your guy fluids (like sweat and semen) smell pungent too.
The important thing to remember is…
Asparagus is healthy food. If the smell bothers you, try limiting weekly servings, and rest assured that your fluids will return to smelling normal after a few hours.
Duh…Beans are not the only musical fruit.
Certain green leafy vegetables such as asparagus, brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cabbage are also known to cause excess gas. Like beans, these vegetables contain complex sugars called raffinose found in foods that may cause gas. While beans contain large amounts of this complex sugar, smaller amounts of raffinose are found in asparagus and other green leafy vegetables, and whole grains.
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One final note: I cook the wild rice in chicken stock. This adds another layer of flavor that gives the soup a little extra boost of deliciousness.
If you can find and afford it, I recommend buying native lake-harvested, wood-parched wild rice from Minnesota. The flavor and texture are far superior to the commercially harvested hybrid version.
XXO
Kymberley
P.S. Did you try this recipe? If you did, how did you make it? Exactly like I did, or did you put your own unique spin on it? Let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you. ♥
Cream of Asparagus, Crab & Wild Rice Soup
EQUIPMENT
- Dutch Oven or Large Heavy Pot
- Utensils (whisk, ladle, measuring cups and spoons)
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup Wild Rice cooked (approximately 1/3 cup uncooked) [1]
- 1 medium Onion chopped
- 1 Celery rib finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose Flour
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups Half-n-Half Cream
- ½ teaspoon Gluten-Free Seasoned Salt
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg
- 8 ounces Asparagus Spears cut into bite-size pieces (approx. ¾-inch pieces)
- 12 ounces Lump Crabmeat [2]
- Parsley fresh, chopped, optional*
- Cracked Pepper optional*
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large heavy pot or Dutch Oven, cook the onion and celery in butter until translucent. Whisk in the flour until blended, cooking until bubbly 1-2 minutes. Gradually add the broth whisking to combine, then add the half-n-half. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cook and stir for 3-4 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the seasoning, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Add the pre-cooked rice, crab meat, and the asparagus to the thickened broth mixture, stirring to incorporate. Simmer on low heat uncovered for 10-12 minutes to allow the flavors to begin to develop. Adjust the soupiness to desired consistency by adding more chicken stock.
- Continue to simmer over low heat until ready to serve. Ladle into bowls. If desired, top with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley and cracked pepper. Serve and enjoy now or freeze to reheat later! [3]
YOUR OWN NOTES
KITCHEN NOTES
[2] May substitute imitation crab found in the fresh or frozen meat section.
[3] Store in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze up to three months in a tightly sealed container, allowing 1-inch headspace. When reheating, heat slowly adding more chicken stock, as the rice will absorb the liquid.
Nutrition
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(Nutritional values are an approximation. Actual nutritional values may vary due to preparation techniques, variations related to suppliers, regional and seasonal differences, or rounding.)
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