Wild Rice Salad with Cherries & Pecans
Wild Rice Salad with Cherries & Pecans
Many people get bored with salads because they associate them solely with lettuce and shredded carrots. However, some of the most delicious salads don't include these ingredients at all! this Wild Rice Salad with Dried Cherries and Roasted Pecans is an excellent example of a salad that explores diverse textures, grains, and dressing combinations.
Wild rice often gets overlooked because it's frequently cooked incorrectly or not balanced with complementary flavors. In this salad, it serves as the base for a medley of chewy, sweet, tart, and creamy elements. We cook the wild rice with slightly more liquid than typical white rice because the hulls of the wild grains are still intact, resulting in a longer cooking time but a more satisfying texture.
Once the grains are cooked to perfection, we pair them with tangy orange segments, creamy feta cheese, and white balsamic vinegar, creating a dynamic flavor profile. The dried cherries and toasted pecans add nuance to the dish, evoking autumnal flavors that work well year-round. The cherries provide a delightful texture and a burst of sweetness, while the nuts incorporate aromatic notes, crunch, and healthy fats that round out the salad beautifully.
This Wild Rice Salad is similar to other grain-based salads made with ingredients like bulgur wheat, orzo, or lentils. If you're looking to increase your fiber intake and enjoy a well-balanced, satisfying dish, don't hesitate to explore this delicious territory – it's well worth the adventure!
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
- 2 cups wild rice, rinsed
- 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1–2 cups water
- 1 tsp s.a.l.t. sisters Pink Himalayan Mineral Salt, fine
- 1 TBSP orange zest (from Cara Cara Oranges, if available)
- ½ cup orange segments with juice
- 1 cup dried cherries
- 1 cup diced celery stalks
- 1 cup chopped scallions
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 Honeycrisp apple, chopped
- 1 ½ cups chopped and toasted pecans
- ½ cup chopped Italian parsley
Dressing:
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ¾–1 cup Blood Orange white balsamic vinegar
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp s.a.l.t. sisters Orange Ginger Garlic Infused Salt
Directions:
- In a pint jar with lid or small bowl, combine olive oil, Blood Orange white balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and Orange Ginger Garlic Infused Salt. Seal tightly and shake for 1 minute or whisk briskly.
- In a medium pot, combine wild rice, Pink Himalayan Mineral Salt, broth, and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 50–60 minutes, until rice is tender and grains have split open. Add more water if needed during cooking. Drain any excess water and let rice cool.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked rice, orange zest, orange segments with juice, dried cherries, celery, green onions, feta cheese, apple, pecans, and Italian parsley.
- Stir in the prepared dressing; let salad sit for 15 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Enjoy this refreshing and nutritious Wild Rice Salad with Cherries & Pecans as a satisfying meal or side dish!