Are you ready to transform your ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary experience? This Wild Rice and Hazelnut Salad is not just a side dish – it's a symphony of textures and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and elevate your dining game. Imagine the nutty crunch of toasted hazelnuts dancing with perfectly cooked wild rice, all dressed in a zesty vinaigrette that promises to make your palate sing with joy!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Wild rice
- Toasted hazelnuts
- Mixed greens
- Red onion
- Olive oil
- Red wine vinegar
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Rinse the wild rice thoroughly under cold water to remove any debris.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the wild rice with water using a 1:3 rice to water ratio. Add a pinch of salt to the water.
- Bring the rice to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a low simmer. Cover the pan and cook for approximately 45-50 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has started to split open.
- While the rice is cooking, toast the hazelnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until they become fragrant and golden brown. Be careful not to burn them.
- Once the hazelnuts are toasted, remove them from the heat and roughly chop them into smaller pieces.
- Finely dice the red onion into small, uniform pieces.
- When the wild rice is fully cooked, drain any excess water and let it cool to room temperature.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled wild rice, chopped hazelnuts, and diced red onion.
- Create a vinaigrette by whisking together olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Pour the vinaigrette over the rice mixture and gently toss to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Just before serving, fold in the mixed greens to maintain their freshness and crispness.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the salad at room temperature or slightly chilled as a nutritious and flavorful side dish.
Tips
- Rice Perfection: Always rinse wild rice thoroughly to remove any dust or debris. The 1:3 rice to water ratio is crucial for achieving that perfect tender-yet-chewy texture.
- Toasting Hazelnuts: Watch your nuts like a hawk! They can go from perfectly golden to burnt in seconds. Keep them moving in the pan and remove from heat the moment they become fragrant.
- Temperature Matters: Let the rice cool to room temperature before mixing to prevent wilting the greens and to allow flavors to meld beautifully.
- Vinaigrette Trick: Whisk your dressing separately to ensure even distribution of flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning before adding to the salad.
- Serve Smart: This salad is versatile – enjoy it immediately or chill for a few hours to let the flavors develop. It's perfect for meal prep and makes an impressive make-ahead dish for gatherings!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
