Wild Rice Orzo Cranberry Salad is a robust salad with layer upon layer of flavors. Â Wild Rice, Orzo, Wheat Berries are topped with currants, almonds, and dried cranberries tossed with bell peppers and fresh herbs add freshness to this hearty salad that is dressed with a champagne vinaigrette.
If you like chaos.
Happy Monday! Â Are you all set for Thanksgiving? Â I made the mistake of heading to the grocery store yesterday to pick up just a few items. Â You know an in and out trip.
What was I thinking? Â First off, the store didn’t have half of the 10 items I needed, so frustrating, but the people.
I swear it was like an obstacle course to walk down an isle. I was on a mission, get my items and get out.
Well, the determined look I had on my face must have made me look like someone who knew something. Because I had three different people ask me if I knew where certain ingredients were located.
One was a sweet older lady who looked almost frightened by the mass of humanity walking through the store. Â I took her to the isle where the nuts were located and bid her the best of luck after we laughed at all the crazy going on around us, but then I had to make it back to the aisle where the item was that I needed.
AHHHH, why is it when we are in the biggest hurry, everything gets in our path and when I have the time it’s a clear path.
I am a grocery store addict.
Nonetheless, I will be heading back to the store tomorrow to get my last few items. Â The stock boy assured me that the truck was to arrive last night to restock. Wish me luck.
Home from the grocery and I started on this salad.
I had actually had this salad at J. Alexander restaurant. I knew after just a few bites that I wanted to figure out this recipe.
I picked the salad apart like a detective. Writing down the ingredients as I identified them. I even asked the waitress for the recipe which she told me they do not give out. Â Humph!
After a few trials with flavors, I believe this is almost exactly what I enjoyed at the restaurant.
I think this would be awesome served on Thanksgiving but is awesome as lunch or a side during your weeknight dinner.
The hardest part of making this salad is having three pans to cook the three grains. Â Once the grains are cooked it is a bit of chopping and then tossing and this gorgeous salad is ready to eat.Â
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Wild Rice Orzo Cranberry Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 cups cooked wild rice prepared according to package directions
- 2 cups cooked orzo prepared according to package directions
- 1 1/4 cups cooked wheat berries or farro prepared according to package directions
- 3/4 cup currants
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup frozen corn rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 1/2 cup red pepper diced {medium size pepper}
- 1/2 cup yellow pepper diced {medium size pepper}
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup Italian parsley leaves picked and chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves picked and chopped
Champagne Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup Champagne vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
- Whisk together vinaigrette ingredients and pour over salad. Toss to coat. Serve or store refrigerated in an air-tight container until needed.
Categories:
BEET AND BLUE CHEESE ORZO SALAD
BRUSSELS SPROUT CRANBERRY SALAD WITH GREEK YOGURT VINAIGRETTE
We love the J Alexanders dish and I can’t wait to try this. However, there are only two of us and my partner doesn’t really do leftovers. Does this dish freeze well?
Laura, I have never frozen this dish. However I believe it will hold up well. Amy
Such a fun and festive salad for Thanksgiving! Can’t wait to share!!
Thanks Stephanie
What a fantastic side dish for autumn! Anything with orzo and cranberries gets my vote.
Thank you!
What a beautiful fall salad! I absolutely adore all of the colors and flavors in here!