Wild Rice, Hazelnut & Fruit Salad
Serves 12

1 lb. wild rice
1 cup brown rice
1/3 cup fresh orange juice
3 tablespoons chopped shallots
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups chopped hazelnuts (or chopped pecans), toasted
1 1/4 cups fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
3/4 cup dried apricots, thinly sliced
3/4 cup dried pears, thinly sliced
1 cup dried cranberries

Rinse wild rice in a sieve under cold water, then combine with cold water to cover by 2 inches in a 5-quart pot.  Simmer, covered, until tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.  Cook brown rice according to package directions. 
Make vinaigrette while wild rice is simmering:  Whisk together juice, shallot, vinegar, mustard and garlic.  Gradually whisk in oil until emulsified and season with salt and pepper.
Assemble salad:  Rinse cooked wild rice in a sieve under cold water and drain.  Stir together rices, vinaigrette, nuts, parsley, dried fruit, and salt and pepper to taste.  Serve at room temperature.  Salad keeps, covered and chilled, 3 days.

NOTES: Any dried fruit combination can be substituted in this recipe. 
Per Serving:  409 Calories; 18g Fat (36.8% calories from fat); 10g Protein;
58g Carbohydrate; 6g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 19mg Sodium. 
Exchanges: 3 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 1 Fruit; 3 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

Recipe provided by Jayne Lancaster

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