Wild Rice Salad
This easy recipe creates a vibrant and flavorful wild rice salad. It combines tender wild rice with fresh orange segments, sweet grapes, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and scallions, all tossed in a light citrus and raspberry vinegar dressing. A perfect make-ahead dish.
Equipment
- 1 Medium Pot For cooking wild rice
- 1 Colander For draining cooked rice
- 1 Sharp Knife For peeling and sectioning oranges
- 1 Cutting Board For preparing oranges and grapes
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl For combining all ingredients
Ingredients
Main
- 1 cup long-grain wild rice 6 ounces
- Kosher salt
- 2 navel oranges
- 2 tablespoons good olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar
- 1/2 cup seedless green grapes cut in half
- 1/2 cup pecans toasted
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons scallions white and green parts, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place the wild rice in a medium pot with 4 cups of water and 2 teaspoons of salt and bring to a boil. Simmer uncovered for 50 to 60 minutes, until the rice is very tender. Drain well and place the rice back in the pot. Cover and allow to steam for 10 minutes. While the rice is still warm, place it in a mixing bowl. Peel the oranges with a sharp knife, removing all the white pith. Cut between the membranes and add the orange sections to the bowl with the rice. Add the olive oil, orange juice, raspberry vinegar, grapes, pecans, cranberries, scallions, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and the pepper. Allow to sit for 30 minutes for the flavors to blend. Taste for seasonings and serve at room temperature.
Notes
Ensure the wild rice is cooked until very tender; unlike other grains, this helps it absorb the dressing effectively. When sectioning the oranges (supremes), take care to remove all white pith and membranes for the cleanest flavor and texture. Toasted pecans add a depth of flavor and crunch; toast them gently in a dry pan until fragrant before adding. Allowing the salad to rest for 30 minutes is crucial for the flavors to meld and deepen, making a significant difference in the final dish.