Join us on an educational adventure through each state in the USA! Each post in this series focuses on one state, and includes a regional recipe from that state. This is a fun way to get your kids involved in cooking, as well as learn a bit about United States geography! The post also includes a link to the featured state’s website, where you can learn more about the state. We also include free forms that you can download and print to use along the journey. Geography has never been so delicious!

Make sure to check back each week for the next post!

Did you know that Minnesota Wild Rice has been a staple food for Minnesota’s Native Americans for centuries? Minnesota wild rice also provides a unique habitat for Minnesota’s fish and waterfowl.

Wild rice is not an actual “rice grain” and is unrelated to other rice grains. It is an annual grass which grows naturally in many Northern Minnesota lakes. Its edible grains are long, slender and black, with an earthy, nutty flavor.

This recipe uses the delicious Minnesota wild rice in a soup that is perfect for a cold winter day!

MINNESOTA Wild Rice Soup

What You Will Need:

• 6 tablespoons Margarine or Butter


• 1 tablespoon minced Onion


• 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour


• 3 cups Chicken Broth


• 2 cups cooked Wild Rice (follow cooking directions for rice) (NOTE: 1/2 cup uncooked wild rice is about 1-1/2 to 2 cups, cooked rice)


• 1/2 cup finely grated Carrot


• 1/3 cup minced Ham


• 3 tablespoons chopped slivered Almonds


• 1/2 teaspoon Salt


• 1 cup Half and Half Cream


• 2 tablespoons dry Sherry, optional


• Snipped fresh Parsley or Chives

What You Do:

• In large saucepan, melt margarine and then saute onion until tender.


• Blend in flour and gradually add broth.


• Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil.


• Boil and stir 1 minute, then stir in rice, carrots, ham, almonds and salt.


• Simmer soup for about 5 minutes.


• Blend in Half and Half and Sherry and heat to serving temperature.


• Garnish with snipped parsley or chives.

Minnesota State Information – Click this link to learn more about Minnesota attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more!

US Geography Journal Pages – Use these journal pages to create a geography journal as you collect information about each state.

Minnesota Outline Map – Use this state map to label capitals, major rivers and lakes, and other areas of interest. Draw a star on the place you would most like to visit in this state!

United States Outline Map – Use this USA map to track your journey as you “eat your way across the USA”! Color in each state that you’ve tried one of recipes for.

• The United States Cook Book – Take a Tasty Tour of America’s 50 States, and learn a lot of United States geography along the way! (PLEASE NOTE: The recipe featured above is not included in this book.)


• US History Cook Book – Serve up a heaping lesson of history with delicious recipes from our nation’s past… from the pilgrims’ first feast to today’s high-tech, low-fat fare.


• Maps of the United States – This reproducible book contains geopolitical maps of each of the fifty states; political maps of the six regions; and political, physical, and thematic maps of the United States. You’ll also find fun facts, geography bee-type questions, and review pages.


• DK State-by-State Atlas – More than an atlas, this book shows and tells young geographers who, what, when, where, and why.


• The Geography Book – From finding directions by the stars, to mapping your neighborhood, to making an earthquake in a box, you’ll have a great time learning about the world with The Geography Book.


• Professor Noggins USA Geography Game – From rural farming communities to urban cities, from snow-capped mountains to tropical islands, this game covers both the natural and political geography of the United States. Learn about the states, cities, and natural geographical wonders that make this country such an interesting place to visit.


• State by State Card Game – Learning about United States geography is made fun and memorable with this unique deck of cards!


• GeoPuzzle USA Puzzle – GeoPuzzles provide a hands-on approach to learning geography.

Make sure to check back next week for the next state in this series!

Copyright © 2007-2010 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.