Lou’s Halloween Salad
Cook Time: 1 hour
Prep Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 4 hours
Description: This vibrant Halloween salad is a delightful medley of flavors and textures, featuring wild rice and a variety of fruits and vegetables that are sure to impress. Using a high-quality vinegar, such as Dr. Weis Naturtriuber Applelessing fur die Vollwertkuche, enhances the salad’s overall taste. You can prepare this salad up to 2 days in advance, making it a convenient option for your Halloween festivities. Simply store it covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup wild rice
- 4 stalks celery, finely diced
- 1 large carrot, peeled and grated
- 1 red onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes, diced
- 2 orange bell peppers, diced
- 2 tablespoons raisins
- 1 tablespoon golden raisins
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/3 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
-
Cook the Wild Rice:
Begin by bringing 2 1/2 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the wild rice to the boiling water. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and cooked through, which should take approximately 1 hour. -
Cool the Rice:
Once cooked, drain the wild rice and transfer it to a large bowl. Allow it to cool completely at room temperature. For the best results, cover the bowl and refrigerate the rice until it is thoroughly chilled, which will take about 2 hours. -
Prepare the Onions:
While the rice is cooling, place the chopped red onions in a bowl of salted water to soak. This will help to mellow their sharpness. When ready to assemble the salad, drain the onions and rinse them under cold water to remove excess salt. -
Make the Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. This dressing will bring a tangy and flavorful punch to the salad. -
Assemble the Salad:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled wild rice, diced celery, grated carrot, diced tomatoes, diced orange bell peppers, raisins, golden raisins, dried cranberries, and dried cherries. Toss these ingredients together gently to ensure an even distribution. -
Add the Dressing:
Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Toss everything together thoroughly, ensuring that all ingredients are well-coated with the dressing. -
Serve or Store:
You can serve the salad immediately or, for better flavor, cover and refrigerate it for a few hours before serving. This salad can be made up to 2 days in advance, making it a perfect addition to your Halloween celebrations.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 296.4
- Fat Content: 10.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 21.6 mg
- Carbohydrates: 45.2 g
- Fiber: 4.9 g
- Sugar: 10.4 g
- Protein: 8.5 g
Enjoy the colorful and festive flavors of Lou’s Halloween Salad at your next Halloween gathering. It’s a delicious way to celebrate the season with a dish that’s both nutritious and visually appealing. 🎃🧡🌾
