Wild Rice Salad with Apples & Dried Cranberries

Wild rice is actually the seed of grass growing in shallow water, and is sacred to Native Americans, particularly the Ojibwe. Paired with apples, dried fruit, and seeds, it makes a nutty, crunchy, and sweet dish in the fall.

Ingredients:

1 cup wild rice

1 tart apple, cored and chopped (about 1 cup)

2 tbsp. scallions (green parts only), thinly sliced

2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, or more to taste

2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar, or more to taste

½ cup roasted sunflower seeds OR pumpkin seeds

½ cup dried cranberries

1 tbsp. fresh sage OR 1-2 tsp. dried sage

½ tsp. salt, more to taste

¼ tsp. ground black pepper, more to taste

Equipment:

Mesh strainer

Small saucepan

Cooktop

Cutting board

Kitchen knife

Measuring cups and spoons

Jar with a lid OR other container for dressing

Ingredients:

1 cup wild rice

1 tart apple, cored and chopped (about 1 cup)

2 tbsp. scallions (green parts only), thinly sliced

2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, or more to taste

2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar, or more to taste

½ cup roasted sunflower seeds OR pumpkin seeds

½ cup dried cranberries

1 tbsp. fresh sage OR 1-2 tsp. dried sage

½ tsp. salt, more to taste

¼ tsp. ground black pepper, more to taste

Equipment:

Mesh strainer

Small saucepan

Cooktop

Cutting board

Kitchen knife

Measuring cups and spoons

Jar with a lid OR other container for dressing

Directions:

  1. Gather all the ingredients and equipment. Wash the produce and prepare it as detailed in the ingredients list. Rinse the wild rice and drain in a fine-mesh strainer.
  2. Add the wild rice to a small saucepan with 2 cups of water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 20-40 minutes, or until the wild rice has opened up and quadrupled in size. Pour the finished wild rice into the mesh strainer and then set aside to cool.
  3. Combine the oil, apple cider vinegar, scallions, salt, and black pepper in a jar with a lid (or another container) and shake or mix thoroughly.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the wild rice, apple, seeds, cranberries, and dressing. Gently toss to blend. Taste and correct the seasonings, adding a bit more vinegar, oil, or salt, if needed.

Adapted from The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen by Sean Sherman with Beth Dooley