Wild Rice and Cranberry Salad 🍲
Description: This vibrant and flavorful salad is a delightful combination of wild rice, fresh cranberries, and colorful vegetables, all tossed in a tangy cranberry dressing. Perfect for a quick and healthy meal, this salad can be served alongside grilled chicken or seafood for a satisfying dining experience. The dressing can be prepared ahead of time, making this dish a convenient option for busy days. Even when cranberries are not in season, this salad remains a favorite due to its irresistible taste and nutritional benefits.
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Servings: 6
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 3/4 cup | Fresh cranberries |
| 1/4 cup | Cranberry juice cocktail |
| 1 cup | Sugar |
| 2 cloves | Garlic |
| 3 tbsp | Cider vinegar |
| 1 1/2 tbsp | Olive oil |
| 1 tsp | Kosher salt |
| 1/2 tsp | Fresh ground black pepper |
| 2 cups | Wild rice |
| 1 cup | Orzo pasta |
| 1/2 cup | Yellow bell pepper |
| 1/2 cup | Red bell pepper |
| 1/2 cup | Green onion |
| 2 tbsp | Fresh parsley |
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
- Calories: 358
- Fat Content: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat Content: 0.7g
- Cholesterol Content: 0mg
- Sodium Content: 396.9mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 68.8g
- Fiber Content: 5.5g
- Sugar Content: 6.7g
- Protein Content: 12.1g
Instructions:
-
Prepare Dressing:
- In a small saucepan, combine fresh cranberries, cranberry juice cocktail, sugar, and minced garlic.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
- Stir in cider vinegar, olive oil, kosher salt, and fresh ground black pepper until well combined.
- Chill the dressing in the refrigerator until ready to use.
-
-
Prepare Salad:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked wild rice (prepared according to package instructions) with cooked orzo pasta.
- Add diced yellow bell pepper, diced red bell pepper, chopped green onion, and fresh parsley to the bowl.
- Toss the ingredients together until evenly distributed.
-
Assemble Salad:
- Drizzle the prepared cranberry dressing over the rice and vegetable mixture.
- Gently toss the salad until all ingredients are coated with the dressing.
-
Serve:
- Transfer the salad to a serving dish or individual plates.
- Garnish with additional fresh parsley, if desired.
- Serve immediately as a refreshing side dish or light main course.
Tips:
- Make Ahead: The dressing can be prepared up to a couple of days in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. This allows for easy assembly of the salad when needed.
- Variations: Feel free to customize this salad by adding other ingredients such as toasted nuts, dried fruits, or grilled chicken for extra protein.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Enjoy cold or at room temperature.
Enjoy your vibrant and nutritious Wild Rice and Cranberry Salad! 🥗
