Best 3 Contest Winning Wild Rice Apple Salad Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

To find the best recipe for a contest-winning wild rice apple salad, you must consider a few key ingredients and techniques. Wild rice, with its nutty flavor and chewy texture, is the star of this dish, and it pairs perfectly with crisp, sweet apples and a tangy dressing. Balancing these flavors is essential, as the dressing should complement the rice and apples without overpowering them. Furthermore, the salad should have a nice texture, with a mix of crunchy and soft elements. Finally, presentation is also important, as a colorful and visually appealing salad is more likely to impress the judges.

Let's cook with our recipes!

WILD RICE SALAD



Wild Rice Salad image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     side-dish

Time 2h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

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

Steps:

  • 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.

CONTEST-WINNING WILD RICE APPLE SALAD



Contest-Winning Wild Rice Apple Salad image

"We have an apple orchard in our family, so I'm always looking for ways to use the fruit," writes Elaine Stichter of Milford, Indiana. "This crisp and crunchy dish is one of my favorite salads. Sometimes I double the batch so I have leftovers!"

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

2/3 cup cooked wild rice, chilled
1/2 cup coarsely chopped apple
1/3 cup sliced celery
2 teaspoons dried currants
1 teaspoon sunflower kernels
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 small garlic clove, minced
3/4 teaspoon honey
3/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon grated orange zest
Dash salt

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine the wild rice, apple, celery, currants and sunflower kernels. In another bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients. Drizzle over rice mixture; toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 130 calories, Fat 4g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 150mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

SNOQUALMIE WILD RICE APPLE SALAD



Snoqualmie Wild Rice Apple Salad image

Adapted from "Simply Classic," by the Seattle Junior League. The Snoqualmie refers to many aspects in the area - it's a town, a river, beautiful waterfalls, and a local native American tribe.

Provided by Julesong

Categories     Rice

Time 50m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 1/3 cups uncooked wild rice
3 cups water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups chopped tart apples, in 1 inch pieces (Granny Smiths are good)
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup currants
1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Steps:

  • Put rice in a bowl and rinse under running water for 2 minutes, then drain.
  • Pour rice into a large saucepan, add the water and salt, and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer for 35 minutes or until rice is just tender and al dente (how long to simmer, exactly, depends on your wild rice; the water will probably not be all absorbed).
  • Drain and place in a large bowl, then add the prepared apple, red bell pepper, currants (raisins can be substituted, but will be sweeter and salad won't taste the same - currants are preferred), pecans, and onion; stir to combine.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the balsamic, oil, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and stir well.
  • Serve immediately or chill up to 4 hours (I prefer it chilled for at least an hour, then tossed again before serving).
  • Note: also good with 1/4 cup dried cranberries.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, crisp apples. Granny Smith apples are a good choice, but you can use any type of apple you like.
  • Toast the walnuts before adding them to the salad. This will bring out their flavor and make them more crunchy.
  • Use a light dressing. A vinaigrette or lemon-tahini dressing is a good option.
  • Serve the salad immediately. Wild rice salad is best when it's fresh.

Conclusion:

Wild rice apple salad is a delicious and healthy dish that's perfect for a light lunch or dinner. It's packed with flavor and nutrients, and it's easy to make. Whether you're looking for a new side dish or a main course, this salad is sure to please everyone at your table. This salad is also a great way to use up leftover wild rice. If you have some cooked wild rice on hand, simply follow the recipe above and you'll have a delicious salad in no time.

Related Topics