ORZO AND WILD RICE SALAD

Orzo and Wild Rice Salad image

This wonderful salad of pasta, currants, and vegetables is dressed with a tangy vinaigrette.

Provided by CWillemin

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 3h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

½ cup wild rice
2 cups water
1 cup orzo pasta
3 tablespoons chopped red onion
3 tablespoons dried currants
2 tablespoons corn kernels, drained
3 tablespoons diced yellow bell pepper
3 tablespoons diced red bell pepper
3 tablespoons diced green bell pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
1 ½ tablespoons honey
¾ teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon minced garlic
⅛ teaspoon pepper
1 ½ teaspoons chopped fresh basil
¼ cup canola oil
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

Bring the wild rice and water to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender but not mushy, 20 to 45 minutes depending on the variety of wild rice. Drain off any excess liquid, fluff the rice with a fork, and cook uncovered 5 minutes more. Once finished, spread into a shallow dish, and refrigerate until cold.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the orzo pasta, and cook until al dente, 7 to 8 minute. Drain, rinse with cold water, and chill.
Place the chilled rice and orzo into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the red onion, currants, corn, yellow bell pepper, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Season with 2 tablespoons basil, salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk together the vinegar, honey, mustard, garlic, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and 1 1/2 teaspoons basil. Slowly whisk in the canola and olive oils until emulsified. Stir the dressing into the pasta, and refrigerate 2 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 566 calories, Carbohydrate 68.2 g, Fat 29.1 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 10.6 g, SaturatedFat 3.3 g, Sodium 340.7 mg, Sugar 15.8 g