Description
A vibrant and wholesome Wild Rice Salad bursting with the sweet-tart flavors of orange and cranberries, complemented by crunchy toasted almonds and fresh parsley. Perfect as a light lunch or a festive side dish, dressed with a zesty citrus vinaigrette that ties the ingredients beautifully together.
Ingredients
Scale
Grains and Nuts
- 1 cup wild rice, rinsed
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
Fruits and Vegetables
- 1 large orange, peeled and segmented
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
Liquids and Seasonings
- 3 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (for cooking rice)
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon salt to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Wild Rice: Rinse the wild rice under cold running water to remove any impurities. Combine the rinsed rice with 3 cups of water or low-sodium vegetable broth and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer gently for 40 to 50 minutes until the rice grains are tender and begin to split open. Drain any excess liquid and set the rice aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Dressing: While the rice cooks, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, fresh orange juice, apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, black pepper, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until the dressing is well emulsified and smooth.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked and slightly cooled wild rice. Stir in the dried cranberries, orange segments, toasted sliced almonds, chopped fresh parsley, and finely diced red onion.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together until all components are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Season and Serve: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if necessary. Serve the salad at room temperature or chilled for enhanced flavor. It can also be prepared a day ahead to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Notes
- For extra protein, add cooked chicken or chickpeas to the salad.
- To enhance the citrus flavor, add a teaspoon of freshly grated orange zest to the dressing.
- This salad can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator to develop deeper flavors.
