Orzo and Wild Rice Salad

Description

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

Ingredients

  • 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
  • ⅛ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 ½ teaspoons chopped fresh basil
  • ¼ cup canola oil
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Bring the wild rice and water to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low
  2. cover
  3. and simmer until the rice is tender but not mushy
  4. 20 to 45 minutes depending on the variety of wild rice. Drain off any excess liquid
  5. fluff the rice with a fork
  6. and cook uncovered 5 minutes more. Once finished
  7. spread into a shallow dish
  8. and refrigerate until cold.
  9. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the orzo pasta
  10. and cook until al dente
  11. 7 to 8 minute. Drain
  12. rinse with cold water
  13. and chill.
  14. Place the chilled rice and orzo into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the red onion
  15. currants
  16. corn
  17. yellow bell pepper
  18. red bell pepper
  19. and green bell pepper. Season with 2 tablespoons basil
  20. salt
  21. and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. In a separate bowl
  22. whisk together the vinegar
  23. honey
  24. mustard
  25. garlic
  26. 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  27. and 1 1/2 teaspoons basil. Slowly whisk in the canola and olive oils until emulsified. Stir the dressing into the pasta
  28. and refrigerate 2 hours before serving.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 25 mins

Total Time: 3 hrs

Servings: 4

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