Orzo and Wild Rice Salad

This wonderful salad of pasta, currants, and vegetables is dressed with a tangy vinaigrette.


Recipes · Salad · Pasta Salad


Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 3 hrs
Additional Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 4
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Ingredients List
  • ½ cup wild rice

  • 2 cups water

  • 1 cup orzo pasta

  • 3 tablespoons chopped red onion

  • 3 tablespoons dried currants

  • 2 tablespoons corn kernels, drained

  • 3 tablespoons diced yellow bell pepper

  • 3 tablespoons diced red bell pepper

  • 3 tablespoons diced green bell pepper

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar

  • 1 ½ tablespoons honey

  • ¾ teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • ¼ teaspoon minced garlic

  • teaspoon pepper

  • 1 ½ teaspoons chopped fresh basil

  • ¼ cup canola oil

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil


Directions

  1. Bring the wild rice and water to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender but not mushy, 20 to 45 minutes depending on the variety of wild rice. Drain off any excess liquid, fluff the rice with a fork, and cook uncovered 5 minutes more. Once finished, spread into a shallow dish, and refrigerate until cold.

  2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the orzo pasta, and cook until al dente, 7 to 8 minute. Drain, rinse with cold water, and chill.

  3. Place the chilled rice and orzo into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the red onion, currants, corn, yellow bell pepper, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Season with 2 tablespoons basil, salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk together the vinegar, honey, mustard, garlic, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and 1 1/2 teaspoons basil. Slowly whisk in the canola and olive oils until emulsified. Stir the dressing into the pasta, and refrigerate 2 hours before serving.


Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Nutrition Facts
566 Calories
29g Fat
68g Carbs
11g Protein


Prev   Next