Best Dried Fruit Salad Recipes

WILD RICE AND CHANTERELLE SALAD WITH DRIED FRUIT, GOAT CHEESE, AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• To prepare the rice: Wash the rice under cold water for 2 minutes. Bring 8 cups of water to a boil and add the salt, bay leaf, and thyme. Add the washed rice to the boiling water and simmer for 40 minutes, or until tender. Drain the rice and remove the bay leaf and thyme; let cool. (This can be done 1 day ahead of time and refrigerated.) You should have 7 cups cooked rice.
• In a large skillet, heat the grapeseed or canola oil over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 6 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from heat, drain well, and set aside.
• To make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, shallots, fennel, cumin, thyme, and pepper and season with salt. Add the dried fruits.
• In a salad bowl, combine the cooled wild rice, cooked mushrooms, and walnuts. Toss with the vinaigrette and fruits.
• To serve, portion the salad onto a large platter, top with the greens, and sprinkle with the goat cheese.

QUINOA SALAD WITH DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS

Steps:

• Bring the quinoa, salt, and water to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Once done, scrape into a large bowl, and allow to cool for 20 minutes. Stir in the green onions, celery, raisins, cayenne pepper, vegetable oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and sesame oil. Allow to stand at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend. Stir in the cilantro and pecans before serving.

MIXED-GRAIN SALAD WITH DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add brown rice, wild rice and wheat berries; stir to coat. Add 2 cups water and 2 cups stock. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until grains are tender and liquid is absorbed, about 40 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir cranberries, apricots, and currants into grains. Cool to room temperature.
• Whisk vinegar, walnut oil, and sage in small bowl to blend. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Season generously with salt and pepper.(Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
• Stir pecans into salad and serve.

WARM WILD RICE SALAD WITH DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS

Steps:

• Soak wild rice in a bowl of water overnight.
• Rinse and place rice in a medium-sized pot with water or broth.
• Bring to a boil over high heat.
• Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
• Remove from heat and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients.
• Add rice and toss to coat.
• Serve immediately or let cool and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• From recipe creator - If making ahead, reheat rice salad on the stove top or bake at 350 degrees F. in a covered casserole dish for 20 minutes. (untried by me as of yet).
• *Cook's note: For best results, soak dried fruit in hot water or warm juice for 15 minutes or more to rehydrate slightly and give the fruit a juicier, chewy texture.

QUINOA SALAD WITH AVOCADO, DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, soak the cranberries and apricots in hot water for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• In a 2-quart saucepan, bring 2 cups water, the quinoa, and 1/2 teaspoons salt to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce the heat to medium low, and simmer until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is translucent and tender, 10 to 15 minutes. (The outer germ rings of the grain will remain chewy and white. Some germ rings may separate from the grain and will look like white squiggles.) Immediately fluff the quinoa with a fork and turn it out onto a baking sheet to cool to room temperature.
• Finely grate the zest from the lemon and then squeeze 1 Tbs. juice. In a small bowl, whisk the lemon zest and juice with the olive oil, coriander, cumin, paprika, and 1/4 teaspoons salt. In a large bowl, toss the vinaigrette with the quinoa, cranberries, apricots, avocado, scallions, and almonds. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

SPICED DRIED FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• Put all the dried fruit plus the cinnamon, cloves, honey, saffron, vanilla and lemon zest into a sauce pan. Add cold water to just barely cover the fruit.
• Place on stove on a low-medium heat and slowly bring to simmering point. Cook for 15 minutes, gently stirring once during this time. Remove from heat.
• Cool to desired serving temperature - remove cinnamon & cloves (if you can find them). Just before serving stir in the almonds, pistachios and a few drops of orange flower water (or to taste).
• Note: if you prefer you can place the cinnamon & cloves into a muslin bag to make removal easier.

WILD RICE AND MUSHROOM SALAD WITH DRIED FRUIT, GOAT CHEESE AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• To prepare the rice: Cook according to package directions and add the salt, bay leaf, and thyme. Simmer until tender. Drain the rice and remove the bay leaf and thyme; let cool. (This can be done 1 day ahead of time and refrigerated.) You should have 7 cups cooked rice. In a large skillet, heat the grapeseed or canola oil over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 6 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from heat, drain well, and set aside. To make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, shallots, fennel, cumin, thyme, and pepper and season with salt. Add the dried fruits. In a salad bowl, combine the cooled wild rice, cooked mushrooms, and walnuts. Toss with the vinaigrette and fruits. To serve, portion the salad onto a large platter, top with the greens, and sprinkle with the goat cheese.

NUMMY COUSCOUS SALAD WITH DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• Put the cous cous into a large bowl and pour boiling water over top. Cover loosely with lid and let sit 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
• Meanwhile, chop all your veggies and then add everything to the cous cous and stir well. Serve immediately or let sit in the fridge for a few hours. It tastes better the next day!
• Enjoy!

DRIED FRUIT PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a saucepan, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes.
• Combine pasta, apricots, dates, almonds, apples, spinach and Swiss cheese. Add vinaigrette to the pasta salad and mix well.
• Serve garnished with fresh mint if desired.
• To make the vinaigrette, whisk together in a bowl orange juice, olive oil, rice vinegar, orange zest and honey.

DRIED FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• Combine prunes, apricots, apple juice, cinnamon stick, and cloves in saucepan. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and let soak overnight in refrigerator.
• Remove the dried fruit and divide the prunes, apricots, banana, orange and apple among 4 dishes. Strain apple juice and add orange juice and orange marmalade. Mix together and pour over fruit. Top with chopped pecans.

REALLY, TRULY GORGEOUS DRIED FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• Place the figs, apricots, prunes, cranberries, raisins, and golden raisins into a bowl. Pour in just enough water to cover. Cover the bowl and soak overnight, at least 8 hours.
• Pour the fruit with the soaking water into a saucepan. Stir in the pine nuts and honey. Bring to a simmer; cook, stirring occasionally, until the fruit is tender but still holds its shape, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat; return the fruit and liquid to the bowl, being careful not to break up the fruit. Cool to room temperature.

WATERCRESS SALAD WITH DRIED FRUIT AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Make a quick vinaigrette by whisking together the vinegar, oil, and salt and pepper (or throw the ingredients into a small jar with a lid, cover, and shake). Pour the vinaigrette over the watercress and toss to coat. Garnish with the toasted slivered almonds and dried cranberries.

COUSCOUS AND DRIED FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• Place the instant couscous in a medium bowl. Bring water, olive oil, orange juice and champagne vinegar to a boil in a small saucepan. Turn heat off then stir in apricot, currants, raisins, ginger and salt. Let fruit plump in the liquid for a few minutes then pour the mixture over the couscous without stirring. Let sit for 20 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Meanwhile, blanch and drain the red onion. Brighten red onion with a few drops of champagne vinegar then stir into the couscous mixture. Toss with pine nuts, adjust the salt and serve. If prepared in advance and refrigerated, let come to room temperature before serving.

QUINOA SALAD WITH AVOCADO, DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, soak the cranberries and apricots in hot water for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• In a 2-quart saucepan, bring 2 cups water, the quinoa, and 1/2 tsp. salt to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce the heat to medium low, and simmer until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is translucent and tender, 10 to 15 minutes. (The outer germ rings of the grain will remain chewy and white. Some germ rings may separate from the grain and will look like white squiggles.) Immediately fluff the quinoa with a fork and turn it out onto a baking sheet to cool to room temperature.
• Finely grate the zest from the lemon and then squeeze 1 Tbs. juice. In a small bowl, whisk the lemon zest and juice with the olive oil, coriander, cumin, paprika, and 1/4 tsp. salt. In a large bowl, toss the vinaigrette with the quinoa, cranberries, apricots, avocado, scallions, and almonds. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.
• Serves 4.

CHICKEN SALAD WITH DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• 1. Shred chicken, slice celery and then combine all ingredients. Serve on a croissant, roll or add to greens.

QUINOA, AVACADO, DRIED FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, oil, coriander, cumin and paprika. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook quinoa and allow to cool. Meanwhile, place cranberries and apricots in a small bowl, cover with warm water & let stand for about 5 minutes.Drain & set aside. Cut avacados into bite-sized chunks & place in a small bowl & toss with 1 Tbsp. of dressing. Place cooled quinoa in a large salad bowl. Add cranberry mixture, avocados, green onions and almonds. Add remaining dressing and toss to combine.

CHICKEN SALAD WITH DRIED FRUIT RECIPE

Steps:

• If you don't already have cooked chicken available, you can poach the poultry in water, or chicken broth. Poach chicken breasts by placing in a pot, and covering with water or broth, cook over medium heat for approximately 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove chicken from water, and when cool enough to touch shred the chicken breasts and place into a bowl. In a medium sized bowl add sliced celery, nuts, dried fruit, and mayonnaise. Stir to combine mixture well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Store in a covered container for up to 3 days before serving. This Chicken Salad can be served on a bed of lettuce, or served in fancy rolls, or even on plain bread. I personally love to serve this chicken salad with a nice bowl of soup. I don't think you can beat that soup and sandwich combination.

DRIED FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• Wash and dry fruit.
• Combine ingredients in a large bowl.
• Add enough water to cover.
• Stir and refrigerate for 1-2 days, serve chilled.