Vibrant Wild Rice Salad with Honey-Mustard Dressing
Elevate your meal with this refreshing and hearty Vibrant Wild Rice Salad, adorned with a delightful Honey-Mustard Dressing. Packed with nutritious wild rice, dried fruits, and topped with fresh mint, this salad is not just a side dish; it’s a celebration of flavors and textures. Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or as a wholesome lunch option, this salad can be prepared ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Enjoy the balance of sweet and savory in every bite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
wild rice
2 cups (uncooked)
dried apricot
1/2 cup (diced)
dried apple
1/2 cup (diced)
raisins or currants
1/3 cup (your choice)
golden raisin
1/4 cup (uncooked)
canola oil
2 tablespoons (none)
orange juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons (none)
Dijon mustard
4 teaspoons (none)
liquid honey
1 teaspoon (none)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
fresh mint
1/4 cup (chopped)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the wild rice, cover, and cook until tender, about 35 minutes. Drain well and transfer the cooked rice to a large mixing bowl.
2
In the bowl with the wild rice, add the diced dried apricots, dried apples, raisins (or currants), and golden raisins. Mix gently to combine the ingredients.
3
For the dressing, in a separate small bowl, whisk together the canola oil, orange juice, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, liquid honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.
4
Pour the dressing over the wild rice mixture and toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.
5
Allow the salad to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to chill. (You can make this salad a day in advance for best flavor.)
6
Before serving, add the chopped fresh mint to the salad and toss to combine. Serve chilled for maximum freshness and taste.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary base of the Vibrant Wild Rice Salad?
The primary base is 2 cups of uncooked wild rice, which is boiled in salted water until tender.
How long does it take to cook the wild rice?
The wild rice should be cooked for about 35 minutes until it reaches a tender consistency.
What ingredients are in the Honey-Mustard Dressing?
The dressing consists of canola oil, orange juice, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, liquid honey, salt, and pepper.
Which dried fruits are included in this salad?
The salad features diced dried apricots, diced dried apples, raisins or currants, and golden raisins.
When should I add the fresh mint to the salad?
Fresh mint should be added and tossed into the salad just before serving to ensure maximum freshness.
Can this wild rice salad be made in advance?
Yes, you can make this salad a day in advance to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
How long should the salad be refrigerated before serving?
It is recommended to cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 4 hours to chill it properly.
Is this salad suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, the Vibrant Wild Rice Salad is a vegetarian-friendly dish.
What kind of mustard is used in the dressing?
The recipe specifically calls for 4 teaspoons of Dijon mustard.
What type of vinegar is required for the dressing?
The dressing uses 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar.
Is the orange juice used in the dressing store-bought or fresh?
The recipe recommends using 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice.
How many ingredients are in the Vibrant Wild Rice Salad?
There are 13 distinct ingredients including the rice, fruits, dressing components, and herbs.
What is the recommended serving temperature for this salad?
This salad should be served chilled for the best taste and freshness.
How should the dried apricots and apples be prepared?
Both the dried apricots and dried apples should be diced before being added to the rice.
Can I use currants instead of raisins?
Yes, you can use 1/3 cup of either raisins or currants depending on your preference.
What kind of oil is used in the Honey-Mustard Dressing?
The dressing uses 2 tablespoons of canola oil.
Does the recipe use honey or another sweetener?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of liquid honey to provide a touch of sweetness.
How much fresh mint is needed?
You will need 1/4 cup of chopped fresh mint.
Is the wild rice cooked in plain or seasoned water?
The wild rice should be cooked in salted water for better flavor.
Is this salad considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy dish because it contains nutritious wild rice and various dried fruits.
How much golden raisins are in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of golden raisins.
What is the flavor profile of the dressing?
The dressing offers a balance of sweet and savory flavors from the honey, Dijon mustard, and citrus.
For what occasions is this salad suitable?
It is perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or as a wholesome lunch option.
What should I do after the rice is cooked?
After cooking, drain the rice well and transfer it to a large mixing bowl to combine with the fruits.
How much salt and pepper is added to the dressing?
The dressing includes 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
Should the salad be cooled before refrigerating?
Yes, allow the salad to reach room temperature before covering and refrigerating it.
How do you ensure the dressing is well combined?
You should whisk the dressing ingredients together in a separate small bowl before pouring it over the salad.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
While not explicitly tagged, wild rice is naturally gluten-free, making the base of this salad gluten-free.
Does this recipe contain nuts?
No, this specific recipe for Vibrant Wild Rice Salad does not include nuts among its 13 ingredients.
What texture can I expect from this salad?
The salad offers a hearty texture from the wild rice contrasted with chewy dried fruits and fresh mint.