Wild Rice Barron - Gunvalson

2 lbs lean ground beef
1 can (8 oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup butter
2 cups sour cream
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
6 cups cooked wild rice
1/2 cup slivered almonds
fresh parsley, garnish

Preheat oven to 350°F. In large skillet brown beef; set aside. In small skillet, sauté mushrooms, celery, and onion in butter 5 to 10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine sour cream, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir in wild rice, beef, vegetables, and almonds (reserving a few for garnish). Toss lightly. Place mixture in a lightly greased 3-quart casserole. Bake 1 hour, stirring several times during baking. Add more water if necessary. Season to taste. Garnish with reserved almonds and parsley. 10-12 servings.

John Gunvalson of Trail, MN, has been involved in cultivated wild rice production for over 40 years. John Gunvalson’s farming career began in 1970 when, as an ag major at the University of Minnesota-Crookston, he ended up at the University of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station in Grand Rapids working on wild rice research. John graduated John graduated from the University of Minnesota-Crookston with a degree in soil, water, & civil engineering and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in soils from North Dakota State University. In the fall of 1971, John rented 110 acres along the Clearwater River in East Polk County with his friend and business partner Paul Imle who also tended wild rice plots at the Experiment Station. John and Paul grew that farm to several thousand acres over 27 years before Paul sold his interest in the farm to John and his brothers Ken and Jim. The farm is now known as Gunvalson Farms. John has been a leader within the cultivated wild rice industry for many years and is currently serving on the Council’s Research Committee. John and his wife Cheri have three children: Ben 25 (Cincinnati, OH), Jacob 22 (Grand Forks, ND), and Kelsey 18.

Recipe compliments of the Minnesota Cultivated Wild Rice Council