Savory Wild Rice Medley Salad
Indulge in the delightful flavors of this Savory Wild Rice Medley Salad, featuring a harmonious blend of wild and long-grain rice combined with crunchy pecans, sweet dried fruits, and a zesty homemade dressing. This versatile salad is perfect for potlucks, gatherings, or as a flavorful side dish to any meal. Packed with nutrients and textures, it's an excellent choice for both health-conscious eaters and food lovers alike. Feel free to prepare it a day in advance for the flavors to meld beautifully. Enjoy this refreshing and wholesome salad that brings nature's best ingredients to your table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
water
6 cups (For cooking wild rice)
water
1.5 cups (For cooking long grain rice)
wild rice
2 cups (Rinsed and cooked)
long grain rice
3/4 cup (Rinsed and cooked)
pecans
1.5 cups (Grilled and chopped)
fresh parsley
1 cup (Chopped)
dried apricot
1/2 cup (Chopped)
dried cranberries
1/2 cup (No preparation needed)
olive oil
1/4 cup (For dressing)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (For dressing)
French shallots
3 tablespoons (Finely chopped)
orange juice
3 tablespoons (Freshly squeezed)
balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons (For dressing)
Dijon mustard
1.5 teaspoons (For dressing)
garlic cloves
2 (Finely chopped)
salt
3/4 teaspoon (For seasoning)
fresh black pepper
3/4 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Instructions
1
In a large saucepan, bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Add the wild rice, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 45 minutes until the rice is tender and the grains have opened. Once done, drain the rice and rinse under cold water. Drain again and set aside to cool.
2
In another saucepan, bring the remaining 1.5 cups of water to a boil. Add the long-grain rice, lower the heat, cover, and let simmer for about 25 minutes or until tender. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
3
While the rice is cooking, prepare the dressing. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, finely chopped French shallots, orange juice, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
4
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled wild rice and long-grain rice, chopped pecans, parsley, dried apricots, and dried cranberries. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to ensure all ingredients are well coated.
5
Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. For best flavor, let it sit overnight. Stir again before serving and enjoy your Savory Wild Rice Medley Salad!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Wild Rice Medley Salad?
It is a flavorful and nutrient-packed salad featuring a blend of wild and long-grain rice, crunchy pecans, dried fruits, and a homemade zesty dressing.
How long does it take to cook the wild rice?
The wild rice should simmer for about 45 minutes until it is tender and the grains have opened.
How much water is needed for the wild rice?
You will need 6 cups of water to cook 2 cups of wild rice.
How long does the long-grain rice take to cook?
The long-grain rice takes about 25 minutes to cook until tender.
How much water is needed for the long-grain rice?
You will need 1.5 cups of water for 3/4 cup of long-grain rice.
What kind of nuts are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1.5 cups of grilled and chopped pecans.
Which dried fruits are added to the salad?
The salad contains chopped dried apricots and dried cranberries.
Is this recipe vegetarian-friendly?
Yes, the Savory Wild Rice Medley Salad is a vegetarian dish.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare it a day in advance to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
How long should the salad be refrigerated before serving?
It should be refrigerated for at least 1 hour, though letting it sit overnight is best for the flavor.
What are the main components of the dressing?
The dressing consists of olive oil, French shallots, orange juice, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and black pepper.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
The recipe includes 17 total ingredients.
What kind of vinegar is used for the dressing?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar.
Does the recipe use fresh citrus?
Yes, it includes 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice.
What aromatics are included in the salad?
The recipe uses finely chopped French shallots and two cloves of garlic.
Is the rice rinsed after cooking?
The wild rice is rinsed under cold water after cooking and draining, while the long-grain rice is simply allowed to cool.
How much olive oil is required?
The dressing uses a combination of 1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
What fresh herbs are in the salad?
The recipe includes 1 cup of chopped fresh parsley.
How much garlic should I use?
You should use 2 finely chopped garlic cloves.
What kind of mustard is in the dressing?
The recipe uses 1.5 teaspoons of Dijon mustard.
Is this salad suitable for potlucks?
Yes, it is specifically described as being perfect for potlucks and gatherings.
What is the seasoning for the salad?
The salad is seasoned with 3/4 teaspoon of salt and 3/4 teaspoon of fresh black pepper.
How are the pecans prepared?
The pecans are grilled and then chopped before being added to the mixture.
How should the salad be combined?
Combine the rices, nuts, herbs, and fruits in a large bowl, then pour the dressing over and toss gently.
Should the rice be hot or cold when mixing?
The rice should be cooled before combining it with the other salad ingredients.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include salad, wild rice, side dish, healthy, vegetarian, potluck, grain salad, and dried fruit.
What is the first step in making the dressing?
In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, shallots, orange juice, vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper.
How much wild rice is used?
The recipe uses 2 cups of wild rice.
How much long-grain rice is used?
The recipe uses 3/4 cup of long-grain rice.
What should I do right before serving?
You should stir the salad again before serving to ensure the dressing is well distributed.