WILD RICE AND ROASTED SQUASH SALAD WITH CIDER VINAIGRETTE

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image



Wild Rice and Roasted Squash Salad With Cider Vinaigrette image

Toothsome wild rice, caramelized roasted veggies and crisp radicchio all shine in this generous salad, which can be served as a hearty side or satisfying lunch. Radicchio adds a pop of color and a punch of bitterness, but a peppery green like arugula would also make a great substitute. This salad is tossed with a generous batch of mustard-cider vinaigrette. If you decide to double the dressing or have any left over, it pairs beautifully with just about any grain or hearty green, and will keep refrigerated for up to three days.

Provided by Yossy Arefi

Categories     dinner, lunch, salads and dressings, vegetables, appetizer, main course, side dish

Time 4h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

Kosher salt and black pepper
3/4 cup uncooked wild rice (about 5 ounces)
3/4 pound peeled kabocha or butternut squash, cut into 3/4-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 small head radicchio, thinly sliced
1/2 cup sweetened dried cherries
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves and tender stems
1/3 cup toasted chopped walnuts
Flaky sea salt
1 cup fresh apple cider
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon minced shallot
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 400 degrees and set a rack in the center of the oven.
  • Prepare the rice: Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the wild rice to the boiling water, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the rice until tender and most grains have split, 40 to 50 minutes. Drain the rice.
  • While the rice cooks, roast the squash: On a baking sheet, toss the squash with the olive oil, paprika and a sprinkle of kosher salt and pepper. Spread the squash into an even layer, then transfer to the oven to roast, stirring a few times, until golden and tender, about 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette: In a small saucepan, bring the apple cider to a boil over high. Boil the cider until it has reduced to about 1/4 cup, 10 to 15 minutes. Carefully transfer the cider syrup to a jar with a lid (don't put the lid on yet) and let it cool slightly. Add the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, shallot, mustard, salt and pepper. Screw the lid on tightly and shake vigorously to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
  • Assemble the salad: Add the cooked rice, roasted squash, radicchio, cherries and parsley to a large bowl. Shake the vinaigrette to combine, then drizzle a few tablespoons over the salad and toss gently to combine. Add more vinaigrette to taste. (You may have a bit of extra vinaigrette; refrigerate it for up to 3 days and toss with other greens or grains.)
  • Top the salad with the toasted walnuts and a sprinkle of flaky salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

There are no comments yet!