Healthy Wild Rice And Apple Salad

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This simple to make Healthy Wild Rice Apple Salad is a salad you need this fall. It is loaded with so much goodness and all of it in season

Cooking Your Wild Rice

The first step in this salad is cooking the wild rice. It will need time to cook, plus cool a bit. So, let’s get it going! Also, as a note, this can easily be done the day before or several days before and stored in the fridge.

Now, wild rice is considered one of the healthiest rice varieties out there. Although truthfully it isn’t even rice, but rather an aquatic grass with an edible grain. It is one of only 2 native grains grown here in the US. Whatever is it, and whatever you call it, I love it! It is easily accessible in most major grocery stores. With that background, here we go! Start by bringing your lightly salted water to a boil. Add the rice, cover, and turn to low heat. Allow this to cook for about 35-45 minutes. You will want most of the grains split. Take off the lid and allow it to cool.

Prepping The Other Ingredients

While the wild rice is cooling, let’s start prepping everything else. I used gala apples, as they are a favorite in our house. If you prefer another variety, go for it. There are so many good ones out there! If you don’t plan on eating the salad right away, you will need to soak your apple chunks in diluted lemon water. I like to do 4 cups of water to 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Let it soak for about 3-5 minutes. Then drain the apples and they are ready to go and won’t brown as quickly as when they are cut fresh.

Massaging The Kale

The only way I like kale is when it is massaged. It is so much better, to me anyway, massaged as opposed to right off the stem! It tenderizes the kale and cuts down the bitterness. Start by removing your kale from the stem. It can be cut off, or use your thumb and index finger to slide along the stem, the kale leaves will come right off. Cut into chunks. Then drizzle with a touch of olive oil, salt, and lemon juice. Gently massage into the kale for 30 seconds or so. It won’t take long.

Assembling The Healthy Wild Rice Apple Salad

Now it is time to put it all together! Everything should be ready to go at this point. I like to put everything into a big bowl and toss it. Aside from the kale, wild rice, and apples, I also added toasted pecans, pomegranate arils, celery, and pepitas. I drizzled with the apple cider vinaigrette and tossed it all.

If you are using this as a meal prep salad, don’t add in the dressing. I would wait until right before you plan on serving, then add and toss. If you add it too early, it gets soggy and the flavor isn’t as good!

How about some carb options to go with that salad? Yeah, I have a few to suggest!!

• How about a Parker House Roll? These are new to the blog and really popular.
• Or even these Garlic and Herb Rolls. I feel like they go well with just about everything!
• Maybe you want something quicker than that. What about this Sundried Tomato and Olive Scones?
• Are you looking for a sandwich to go with that salad? This BLAT is such a good sandwich and everyone loves it!!