Name: Wild Rice with Wild Mushrooms
Yield: Makes 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups canned chicken broth; 3/4 ounce dried porcini mushrooms, rinsed under cold water; 1 1/4 cups wild rice, rinsed under cold water; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 bay leaves; 3 tablespoons butter; 3/4 cup finely chopped onion; 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 3/4 teaspoon dried marjoram; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 9 medium crimini or button mushrooms, sliced

This image may contain Plant Food Produce Vegetable Bean Lentil Cutlery and Spoon

One surprise to Europeans who settled the plains was the abundance of wild mushrooms, including morels, chanterelles, and other varieties familiar from home. Free for the picking, the mushrooms were hung on strings and dried, providing a winter's worth of eating. Wild rice (actually a grass seed) is a New World native that combines well with the earthy mushrooms the French cèpes. (The Italians call them porcini, and they are easier to find than cèpes, which is why we call for porcini in this recipe.)

Recipe notes

Mascarpone Cheesecake

An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Golden Mushroom Soup With Orzo & a Pat of Butter

This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

Smothered Italian Sausage

This is what I call a fridge-eater recipe. The key here is getting a nice sear on the sausage and cooking the tomato down until it coats the sausage and vegetables well.

Crème Anglaise

The silky French vanilla sauce that goes with everything.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.