Imen Dridi Ina Garten’s Wild Rice Salad is made of wild rice, oranges, olive oil, orange juice, raspberry vinegar, green grapes, pecans, dried cranberries, and scallions. It serves 6 and takes about 1.5 hours, including cooking and assembly, offering a delightful mix of flavors and textures.
More Ina Garten Recipe:
💞 Why You’ll Love This Wild Rice Salad Recipe:
- Complex Flavors: The combination of sweet oranges, tangy cranberries, and nutty wild rice offers a complex flavor profile that’s both refreshing and satisfying.
- Nutritional Benefits: Packed with fiber from the wild rice and fruits, healthy fats from the pecans, and vitamins from the oranges and cranberries, this salad is as nutritious as it is delicious.
- Make-Ahead Convenience: This salad can be prepared in advance, making it perfect for stress-free entertaining or easy weekday lunches.
- Simple Yet Sophisticated: While easy to make, the sophisticated flavor profile of this salad makes it suitable for special occasions or casual dining alike.
- Dressing Perfection: The light, citrusy dressing enhances the salad without overpowering the natural flavors of the ingredients, striking the perfect balance.
- Seasonal Flexibility: Suitable for any season, it can be enjoyed in the summer for a refreshing bite or served warm in colder months for a comforting meal.
- Long-Lasting Freshness: Stays fresh and tasty for several days in the fridge, ensuring you can savor leftovers without a compromise in quality or flavor.
❓ What Is Ina Garten Wild Rice Salad Recipe?
Ina Garten’s Wild Rice Salad combines wild rice, oranges, olive oil, orange juice, raspberry vinegar, green grapes, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and scallions, creating a vibrant dish with a perfect blend of sweet, tart, and nutty flavors. It’s a nutritious and delicious choice for any meal.
🍒 Ina Garten Wild Rice Salad Ingredients
- 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
🥙 How To Make Ina Garten Wild Rice Salad
- Rinse 1 cup of long-grain wild rice under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice with 4 cups of water and 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt.
- Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, covered, for about 50-60 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the grains begin to burst open. Drain any excess water.
- While the rice is cooking, peel 2 navel oranges with a sharp knife, removing all the white pith. Over a bowl, segment the oranges by cutting between the membranes. Squeeze the juice from the membranes into the bowl and set aside the segments.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of good olive oil, 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice (use the juice collected from segmenting the oranges), and 2 tablespoons of raspberry vinegar. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked and slightly cooled wild rice, orange segments, 1/2 cup of halved seedless green grapes, 1/2 cup of toasted pecans (chopped for easier eating, if preferred), 1/4 cup of dried cranberries, and 2 tablespoons of chopped scallions.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to ensure everything is evenly coated. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper and additional salt to taste.
- The salad can be served immediately at room temperature, or you can cover and chill it in the refrigerator for an hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
💭 Recipe Tips:
- Rice Cooking: Ensure the wild rice is thoroughly rinsed before cooking to remove any debris or dust. Cooking the rice in chicken or vegetable broth instead of water can add extra flavor.
- Toast the Pecans: Toasting the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the salad. Be sure to keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
- Segmenting Oranges: When segmenting the oranges, do so over a bowl to catch all the juices, which can be used in the dressing for added freshness and to reduce waste.
- Balance of Flavors: The combination of ingredients offers a balance of sweet, tart, and savory. Feel free to adjust the amounts based on your preference. For example, add more cranberries for sweetness or more scallions for a sharper taste.
- Freshness: Use the freshest ingredients possible, especially for the fruits and greens, to ensure the salad is vibrant and flavorful.
- Making Ahead: This salad can be made a day in advance. If doing so, consider adding the pecans and scallions just before serving to maintain their texture and freshness.
🍗 What To Serve Wild Rice Salad?
Serve Wild Rice Salad alongside grilled chicken, fish, or tofu for a complete, balanced meal it also pairs beautifully with roast turkey or pork, making it a versatile side for holiday dinners or summer picnics add crusty bread for a hearty touch.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Wild Rice Salad?
- Refrigerate: Place leftover Wild Rice Salad in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator it will keep well for 3-4 days, with flavors melding over time.
- Avoid Freezing: Due to the ingredients’ textures in the salad, freezing is not recommended as it can alter the quality and consistency of the salad upon thawing.
🚫 Can I Reheat Leftovers Wild Rice Salad?
Reheating Wild Rice Salad is not recommended, as it’s best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. The delicate flavors and textures of the ingredients are best preserved without reheating.
FAQ’S
What makes wild rice different from other types of rice?
Wild rice isn’t actually rice but a seed of an aquatic grass it’s known for its chewy texture and nutty flavor, making it a nutritious and flavorful addition to salads. It’s higher in protein and fiber compared to white rice.
How do I cook wild rice for the best texture?
Cook wild rice in plenty of boiling water, similar to pasta, and simmer until the grains start to split and become tender. This usually takes about 45-60 minutes. Drain any excess liquid after cooking.
Can I make Wild Rice Salad in advance?
Absolutely in fact, making it a day ahead allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. Just store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Is Wild Rice Salad healthy?
Yes, wild rice is rich in antioxidants, fiber, and protein combined with fresh fruits, vegetables, and a light dressing, it makes for a nutritious dish that’s both filling and wholesome.
Can I substitute wild rice with another grain?
Yes, you can substitute wild rice with other grains such as quinoa, farro, or brown rice. Each will bring a different texture and flavor profile to the salad.
Try More Ina Garten Recipe:
Ina Garten Wild Rice Salad Nutrition Fact
Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 357kcal
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Sodium: 529mg
- Potassium: 319mg
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 18g
- Vitamin A: 145IU
- Vitamin C: 8.2mg
- Calcium: 35mg
- Iron: 1.5mg
Ina Garten Wild Rice Salad
Description
Ina Garten’s Wild Rice Salad is made of wild rice, oranges, olive oil, orange juice, raspberry vinegar, green grapes, pecans, dried cranberries, and scallions. It serves 6 and takes about 1.5 hours, including cooking and assembly, offering a delightful mix of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Rinse 1 cup of long-grain wild rice under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice with 4 cups of water and 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt.
- Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, covered, for about 50-60 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the grains begin to burst open. Drain any excess water.
- While the rice is cooking, peel 2 navel oranges with a sharp knife, removing all the white pith. Over a bowl, segment the oranges by cutting between the membranes. Squeeze the juice from the membranes into the bowl and set aside the segments.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of good olive oil, 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice (use the juice collected from segmenting the oranges), and 2 tablespoons of raspberry vinegar. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked and slightly cooled wild rice, orange segments, 1/2 cup of halved seedless green grapes, 1/2 cup of toasted pecans (chopped for easier eating, if preferred), 1/4 cup of dried cranberries, and 2 tablespoons of chopped scallions.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to ensure everything is evenly coated. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper and additional salt to taste.
- The salad can be served immediately at room temperature, or you can cover and chill it in the refrigerator for an hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Notes
- Rice Cooking: Ensure the wild rice is thoroughly rinsed before cooking to remove any debris or dust. Cooking the rice in chicken or vegetable broth instead of water can add extra flavor.
- Toast the Pecans: Toasting the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the salad. Be sure to keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
- Segmenting Oranges: When segmenting the oranges, do so over a bowl to catch all the juices, which can be used in the dressing for added freshness and to reduce waste.
- Balance of Flavors: The combination of ingredients offers a balance of sweet, tart, and savory. Feel free to adjust the amounts based on your preference. For example, add more cranberries for sweetness or more scallions for a sharper taste.
- Freshness: Use the freshest ingredients possible, especially for the fruits and greens, to ensure the salad is vibrant and flavorful.
- Making Ahead: This salad can be made a day in advance. If doing so, consider adding the pecans and scallions just before serving to maintain their texture and freshness.
