Wild Rice and Arugula Salad with Pomegranate and Feta
One of our all-time favourite recipes is an adaptation from one of our favourite food bloggers, RecipeTinEats. If you’ve never tried her recipes before, we highly recommend you do so! This Wild Rice Salad perfectly blends sweet, tangy and nutty flavours. The spicyness of the arugula and the saltiness of the feta cheese make this salad a show-stopper any time of the year. If you’re looking for the perfect salad for meal prep that will keep you throughout the week, you’ve found it. We love bringing it as a dish to dinner with friends because everyone asks for the recipe after eating it.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked wild rice
- 2 cups chopped arugula
- Seeds of 1 pomegranate
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped and toasted pecans
- 1/4 cup sliced scallions
- 1 cup seeded and diced cucumber
For the Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup avocado oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Prep the Base: Cook your wild rice on the stovetop or rice cooker. For extra flavour, we suggest using vegetable stock instead of water. Once cooked, allow it to cool to room temperature. To save time, you can even do this a day ahead.
- Toast the Pecans: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast your chopped pecans until they’re fragrant and slightly browned. Keep an eye on them, as they can burn quickly. Once toasted, set them aside to cool.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, avocado oil, minced garlic, honey or agave, salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to your liking. The dressing should be a harmonious blend of tangy, sweet, and savoury.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the cooled wild rice, chopped arugula, pomegranate seeds, crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, cooled toasted pecans, sliced scallions, and diced cucumber.
- Dress it Up: Drizzle your homemade dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together. Make sure each component gets a nice coating of the dressing for the perfect bite every time.
- Final Touches: Give your salad a final taste check and adjust any seasonings if necessary. Sometimes, a little extra salt or a drizzle of vinegar can really make the flavors pop!
- Serve: This salad can be served immediately or chilled in the refrigerator for an hour before serving to let the flavours meld together beautifully.
- Enjoy: Serve this as a stand-alone meal or a side dish to your favourite protein. It’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a refreshing lunch!
And there you have it! A Wild Rice and Arugula Salad that’s as nutritious as it is delicious. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just looking for a vibrant addition to your meal, this salad will surely impress. Did you try this recipe? We’d love to see it! Tag @monarchwildrice on all social media platforms so we can share your culinary creations with our community!