Contest Winning Wild Rice Apple Salad Recipes

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:

• In a small bowl, combine the wild rice, apple, celery, currants and sunflower kernels. In another bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients. Drizzle over rice mixture; toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Prepare dressing by whisking together vinegar, brown sugar, cilantro, and parsley in a bowl. Add oil in a thin stream while whisking constantly. Set aside to let flavors integrate.
• Bring 3 3/4 cups water to a boil. Stir in wild rice, cover pot and let cook undisturbed for 15 minutes. Add white rice to the same pot and cook covered for another 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered for another 5 minutes to let rice absorb water, then remove lid, stir to fluff rice and let cool.
• Combine onion and pineapple in a bowl and stir in cooled rice. Add dressing and stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper, as needed. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with cilantro sprigs.

Steps:

• Combine rice, water and salt together in a large pot and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 50 to 60 minutes.
• Drain rice and chill.
• Combine the chilled rice with the vegetables, fruit, and nuts.
• Whisk vinegar, oil, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, mustard and honey.
• Starting with 1/3 cup of the dressing add to the rice mixture and blend.
• Taste and adjust with more or less to suit your personal tastes.