Garlic Herb Wild Rice Broccolini (Printable)

Wild rice with garlic and herbs served alongside roasted broccolini for a wholesome meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Wild Rice

01 - 1 cup wild rice, rinsed
02 - 2 1/4 cups vegetable broth
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
06 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
07 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Roasted Broccolini

10 - 1 lb broccolini, trimmed
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
14 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ Garnish

15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
16 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional, omit for vegan)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and finely chopped shallot; sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
03 - Add wild rice, dried thyme, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt to the saucepan. Stir to coat the rice evenly in the oil and aromatics.
04 - Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35–40 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
05 - Spread trimmed broccolini on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat evenly.
06 - Roast broccolini for 15–18 minutes, turning halfway through, until the stems are tender and the tops are slightly crisp. Remove from oven and finish with fresh lemon zest.
07 - Spoon the fluffed wild rice onto plates and top with roasted broccolini. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The wild rice soaks up garlic and herbs like a sponge, making every bite deeply savory without being heavy.
  • Roasting broccolini transforms it into something slightly sweet and nutty that even broccoli skeptics will eat happily.
  • It comes together mostly on the stovetop and oven, so you can clean up while everything cooks.
  • The lemon zest finish makes the whole plate taste brighter and more intentional than the effort suggests.
02 -
  • Wild rice cooking times vary wildly between brands, so start checking at 30 minutes and taste test a grain for tenderness.
  • Do not skip the five minute rest after cooking the rice because carrying over heat finishes the grains gently and prevents mushiness.
  • If your broccolini stems are thick, slice them in half lengthwise so they roast evenly alongside the thinner pieces.
03 -
  • Taste your vegetable broth before using it because if it is bland, your rice will be bland, and nothing can fix that after the fact.
  • Zest the lemon directly over the hot broccolini so the essential oils release on contact and distribute evenly without extra effort.

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