Contest Winning Wild Rice Apple Salad Recipes

Steps:

• Drain pineapple, reserving juice; set aside 1 cup pineapple and 3 tablespoons juice (refrigerate remaining pineapple and juice for another use). , In a large bowl, combine the rice, chicken, celery, almonds, raisins, green onions and reserved pineapple. , In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, curry powder, salt and reserved juice. Gently stir into rice mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. serve in a lettuce-lined bowl if desired.

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.

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.

Steps:

• Discard seasoning packets from the rice and place rice in a large saucepan. Stir in chicken broth and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until water is absorbed, about 25 minutes. Spread rice on a baking sheet to cool.
• While the rice is cooling, toast pine nuts in a dry frying pan over low heat until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove to a large bowl.
• Add walnut oil to the same pan, then add walnuts. Toast until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add walnuts to the pine nuts.
• Add cooled rice to the nuts, along with bell peppers, celery, cranberries, and scallions; toss well.
• Blend rice vinegar, basil, Dijon, garlic, and pepper for dressing in a food processor. Slowly drizzle olive oil and walnut oil through the chute with the motor running until combined.
• Add dressing the the rice salad and toss well. Chill for 4 hours before serving.