Minnesota Ground Beef and Wild Rice Hotdish Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a Hotdish and a casserole? ›

Purpose: A casserole can serve any function, for example, a main dish, side dish, breakfast, or even dessert. A hot dish is a main meal only, as it (purportedly) contains all the nutrients one needs in a hearty meal. Well, there you have it folks.

Wild rice became was adopted as the state grain in 1977.

Wild rice (Zizania aquatica or Zizania palustris), called manoomin in the Ojibwe language, has been a staple food for Minnesota's Indians for centuries. It was adopted as the official state grain in 1977. It is an aquatic grass not related to common rice.

Despite its name, wild rice is not rice at all. Although it is the seed of an aquatic grass like rice, it's not directly related to it. This grass grows naturally in shallow freshwater marshes and along the shores of streams and lakes.

Everyone knows that in Minnesota, we call it hot dish. Here's how to make this specialty hot dish at home—wherever you are. Minnesota hot dish: It's hot and creamy with a hint of crunch. If you live in St. Louis or Cedar Rapids, you probably call it a casserole.

The dish originates in the Upper Midwest region of the United States, where it remains popular, particularly in Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and eastern Montana. Hotdish is cooked in a single baking dish, and served hot (per its name).

What is known, though, is that the term "hotdish" first appeared in a 1930 Mankato cookbook, published by Grace Lutheran Ladies Aid. "What's clearer is that the dish has become a symbol of Minnesotan identity," Deustch said. "That is exactly why there are so many debates over what a hotdish can be."

Harvesting wild rice is open to Minnesota residents and nonresidents. Nonresidents must purchase a one-day license and residents may purchase either a season or one-day license. All harvesters are required to be licensed unless they are residents under 18 years of age and accompanied by a licensed harvester.

Wild rice is higher in protein than the majority of other whole grains. It is rich in vitamin B, fiber, antioxidants, folate, phosphorus, niacin, magnesium, zinc, and manganese. Wild rice grain is an excellent nutritional source, especially over other grains like white rice, corn, and wheat.

The cultivation of wild rice — manoomin in Ojibwe — has diminished in scale over centuries across northern Wisconsin, and faces further decline from warmer winters, extreme weather and other threats.

If you're looking for a healthier option, opt for brown rice or one of the many varieties of wild rice. These types of rice are more nutritious and have a lower risk of causing blood sugar spikes.

Is wild rice anti-inflammatory? ›

Reduces Inflammation

Instead of acid-forming like most grains, wild rice is alkaline-forming. The balance created by consuming alkaline-forming foods helps your body treat and prevent all sorts of inflammation.

You don't have to soak wild rice, but you can if you like. Soaking the rice in a bowl of water for at least 30 minutes or as long as 2 hours will cut down on the cooking time by 50%, but since it takes time to soak, it doesn't really save you any time.

Macaroni and cheese is the oldest written casserole recipe found in 1250.

Grains such as corn, wild rice, and wheat are used. Canned fruits and vegetables are used in hotdishes and dessert salads. Minnesotan cuisine is notable for the common use of wild and foraged foods, including wild rice, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, chokecherry, morels, hazelnuts, and pecan truffles.

In Fargo, ND, a hot dish is basically a warm-ya-up, comforting casserole that's bursting with goodness. We think we hit the nail on the head with our recipe for Fargo Hot Dish. It's a layered casserole that features hearty noodles, ground beef tossed with tomato sauce, a savory cheese filling, and more.

According to Eater, the elements that are absolutely necessary to include in hotdish are a starch, protein, and vegetable bound together by a creamy sauce, usually cream of mushroom soup. It's all baked in one dish and served piping hot.

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

But, while anything baked in a casserole can be called a casserole, the Midwestern preparation known as "hotdish" is much more specific. A hotdish always consists of meat, vegetables, a starch, and sauce—it's not a side dish, but an entire meal unto itself.

In France, un casserole refers specifically to a saucepan, and nothing else. However, une cassolette—a baked dish that's akin to what Americans call a casserole—is somewhat popular in French home cooking.