Wild Rice Asparagus & Chicken

1 cup uncooked wild rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 can (4 oz) mushroom stems and pieces, undrained
6 tablespoons butter, divided
6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
2 tbsp onion soup mix
1 medium onion, chopped
½ lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 can (10.75 oz) cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1½ lbs fresh asparagus, trimmed
½ tsp paprika

Preheat oven to 350°F. Into greased 9x13 baking dish spread rice. Add broth and mushrooms; dot with 2 tablespoons butter. Arrange chicken in center of dish; sprinkle with onion soup mix. In separate bowl, mix together onions, bacon, and cream of mushroom soup; pour over top of mixture. Bake, uncovered for 1 hour. Remove from oven. Arrange asparagus around edges of dish. Melt remaining butter; brush over asparagus and sprinkle with paprika. Bake 20 minutes longer or until asparagus is tender.

6 servings.

Randy Forster, originally from Blackduck, Minnesota, has been in the wild rice business since he was about the age of his son Nathan (who is now 8) on farms ranging in location from Waskish to Blackduck, and north into Canada. Currently, Randy farms in Aitkin, MN.

Together, Randy and his family farm nearly year-round, growing wild rice, cranberries, and small grains encompassing the spring, summer, fall, and even winter seasons.
Helping in this effort are Randy’s wife Billie Jo, originally from Kelliher, MN, his daughter Samantha (17) who is also in the military, his daughters Amanda (15) and Shannon (14) who were both active in FFA, and his son Nathan.

The Forster Farm consists of 600 acres of wild rice, 100 acres of cranberry bogs, 250 acres of soybeans and a small amount of hay. “Wild rice is a specialty crop that we are proud to raise,” says Billie Jo. “No other crop says ‘Minnesota’ like wild rice.”

The Forster Family is proud to be the reining 2016 University of Minnesota Aitkin County Farm Family of the Year, an honor that was earned due to their demonstrated commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture. Randy and Billie Jo utilize crop diversity and a true family farm philosophy to keep their farm thriving in this central Minnesota community.

Randy added, “We are happy to be wild rice farmers in Minnesota. Even with all of the changes that have occurred over the past 40 years, we are proud to have been a part of the rich history of wild rice farmers in Minnesota and are fortunate to be able to grow genuine Minnesota wild rice!

Recipe compliments of the Minnesota Cultivated Wild Rice Council