Minnesota Ground Beef And Wild Rice Hotdish

These casseroles were served for dinner, at potlucks, parties and everything in between. The term hotdish is unique to the midwest, especially Minnesota.

Hotdish meals were a great way to feed large families on a budget using small amounts of meat, canned or fresh vegetables, cream soups, rice or pasta.

Once two words, hot dish, then evolved into the one word phrase that us Minnesotans use today.

I love the earthy flavor and texture of wild rice. Wild rice is gluten free, low in calories, fat and sodium and is so great in soups and casseroles.

I love that it's a local product that I can purchase at the farmer's market.

Wild Rice grows in Minnesota lakes, marshes and streams and ripe wild rice is harvested every year between August and September. It's found in over 2000 Minnesota lakes and rivers!

Yield: 4 Servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup onion, diced
• 1 cup celery, sliced
• 1 cup carrots, sliced
• 1 cup Minnesota wild rice, rinsed well
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 cups water
• 1- 10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
• 1- 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Grease a 9x13 glass baking dish.
3. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and onion until beef is cooked. 
4. Drain excess grease.
5. Add the remaining ingredients to the skillet, stir until fully combined. 
6. Remove from heat and pour into the baking dish.
7. Bake for 2 hours or until rice is tender. 
8. Remove from oven and let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.