Zesty Blueberry Walnut Wild Rice Salad with Citrus Dressing
Elevate your lunch or snack with this vibrant Zesty Blueberry Walnut Wild Rice Salad. Packed with nutritious ingredients like wild rice, fresh blueberries, and hearty walnuts, this salad is both satisfying and refreshing. The combination of freshly squeezed orange juice and aromatic herbs adds a delightful zesty flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the blueberries. Ideal for meal prep or sharing at gatherings, this dish not only pleases the palate but also provides a wealth of nutrients. Serve it on a bed of tender butter lettuce for an eye-catching presentation that’s sure to impress.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
walnuts
3/4 cup (coarsely chopped)
fresh blueberries
2 cups (washed and drained, stems removed)
sugar
1/4 teaspoon (none)
salt
1/8 teaspoon (none)
black pepper
1/8 teaspoon (none)
fresh tarragon
1 teaspoon (chopped)
wild rice
1 1/2 cups (cooked and cooled)
cooked chicken breasts
6 ounces (cubed)
orange juice
1 cup (freshly squeezed)
white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons (none)
flat leaf parsley
1 tablespoon (chopped)
fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons (none)
walnut oil
1 tablespoon (optional)
butter lettuce
1 head (washed and separated into leaves)
orange
1 (peeled and segmented)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Spread the coarsely chopped walnuts on a baking sheet and roast them in the oven for 5-7 minutes until they are lightly toasted. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely.
3
In a large mixing bowl, wash and drain the fresh blueberries. Remove any stems, then add them to the bowl.
4
Sprinkle in the sugar, salt, black pepper, and chopped fresh tarragon. Gently toss to coat the blueberries with the seasonings and let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes to enhance the flavors.
5
Once the blueberries have marinated, add the cooled wild rice, cubed chicken, and toasted walnuts to the bowl. Mix gently to combine all ingredients.
6
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the freshly squeezed orange juice, white wine vinegar, chopped parsley, and fresh thyme leaves. If desired, add the walnut oil for an extra touch of richness.
7
Pour the dressing over the blueberry mixture and fold gently until everything is well coated.
8
On four individual plates, arrange a generous base of butter lettuce. Spoon the salad mixture on top of the lettuce and garnish with orange segments.
9
Serve immediately at room temperature and enjoy this nutritious and delightful salad!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary dish described in this recipe?
The dish is a Zesty Blueberry Walnut Wild Rice Salad with Citrus Dressing, featuring wild rice, blueberries, and walnuts.
What temperature should the oven be set to for toasting the walnuts?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long do the walnuts need to roast?
Roast the coarsely chopped walnuts for 5-7 minutes until they are lightly toasted.
What preparation is needed for the fresh blueberries?
The blueberries should be washed, drained, and have their stems removed.
How long should the blueberries marinate with the seasonings?
They should sit for about 15 minutes to enhance the flavors after being tossed with sugar, salt, pepper, and tarragon.
Does this salad contain meat?
Yes, the recipe includes 6 ounces of cooked chicken breasts, cubed.
What type of rice is used in this salad?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of cooked and cooled wild rice.
What ingredients make up the citrus dressing?
The dressing consists of freshly squeezed orange juice, white wine vinegar, chopped parsley, and fresh thyme leaves.
Is walnut oil required for the dressing?
No, the walnut oil is listed as an optional ingredient for an extra touch of richness.
How should the salad be served?
It should be served on a generous base of butter lettuce and garnished with orange segments.
What kind of vinegar is recommended?
The recipe specifies using white wine vinegar.
Which fresh herbs are included in this recipe?
The herbs used are fresh tarragon, flat leaf parsley, and fresh thyme leaves.
How many walnuts are needed?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of coarsely chopped walnuts.
Should the salad be served hot or cold?
The instructions recommend serving the salad immediately at room temperature.
What type of lettuce is used as the base?
One head of butter lettuce, washed and separated into leaves, is used as the base.
How is the orange prepared for the garnish?
The orange should be peeled and segmented before being placed on top of the salad.
How much orange juice is required for the dressing?
You will need 1 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice.
What seasonings are added to the blueberries?
The blueberries are seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, the description mentions that this dish is ideal for meal prep or sharing at gatherings.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 15 ingredients listed in this recipe.
What is the first step in preparing the salad?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) for roasting the walnuts.
How should the chicken be prepared before adding it to the bowl?
The chicken should be cooked and cubed into 6-ounce portions.
What provides the 'zesty' flavor in the recipe?
The zesty flavor comes from the combination of freshly squeezed orange juice, white wine vinegar, and aromatic herbs.
What is the quantity of fresh blueberries used?
The recipe uses 2 cups of fresh blueberries.
Can I use any type of parsley?
The recipe specifically recommends 1 tablespoon of chopped flat leaf parsley.
How much white wine vinegar is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar.
Should the wild rice be warm when mixed with the other ingredients?
No, the recipe specifies that the wild rice should be cooked and cooled before mixing.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include salad, blueberry, wild rice, lunch, snack, healthy recipe, citrus dressing, walnut, chicken, fresh, and nutritious.
How much fresh thyme is used in the dressing?
The dressing includes 2 teaspoons of fresh thyme leaves.
How is the dressing combined with the salad?
The dressing is poured over the blueberry and rice mixture and then folded gently until everything is well coated.