This gorgeous Wild Rice Salad is a celebration of vibrant colours and textures! Made with wild rice, juicy ripe, pecans, arugula, dressed with a simple parmesan lemon vinaigrette to let the salad flavors shine. A great holiday salad – or for weekend brunch to impress!
What is wild rice
Did you know wild rice is a grass? It has been cultivated and eaten for centuries, is native to the Connecticut River Basin, and grows naturally in waterways all over the United States. It can even be found thriving along the Gulf Coast, where stalks reach up to 12 feet high. Though wild rice mimics conventionally grown rice in many ways, it isn’t actually a true rice — it’s an aquatic grass with an edible grain. Wild rice tends to be longer, has a more nutty, earthy flavor and the hull is thicker and more rigid.
I love using wild force in recipes add a nutty and chewy texture. One quick hack I love to is make the rice a day before so its cooled and ready to use. Or you can also buy the already cooked rice and this salad comes together in less than 10 minutes!
All you need for this dish is
- wild rice – cooked
- ripe red or your favorite pears
- fresh arugula
- toasted pecans
- olive oil
- parmesan cheese
- honey
- lemon and white wine vinegar
- salt and pepper
A simple but flavor packed salad fabulous for a meal prep lunch just add your favorite protein! happy cooking XOXO
Wild Rice Pear Arugula Salad
Ingredients
Instructions
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In a large bowl add cooked cooled rice, arugula, sliced pears and toss together.
In a blender or food processor place olive oil, lemon juice, zest, parmesan , honey, salt, pepper and vinegar. Blend until smooth.
Start with half the dressing and toss with salad mixture. Add more dressing if needed. Top with pecans and serve.
