Savor Barefoot Contessa’s Hearty Wild Rice Salad Recipe Tonight

Golden sunlight streams through kitchen windows, casting warmth on this delightful Barefoot Contessa wild rice salad that promises a burst of vibrant flavors.

Summer gatherings call for refreshing dishes that spark conversation and delight taste buds.

Fresh herbs mingle with tender wild rice, creating a symphony of textures and colors that dance on your plate.

Ina Garten’s style shines through in this elegant yet simple recipe that feels both sophisticated and approachable.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly, offering a light and satisfying meal perfect for picnics or elegant dinner parties.

Each forkful delivers a harmonious balance of nutty rice, crisp vegetables, and zesty dressing.

You’ll fall in love with this salad bright, clean flavors that make every bite a celebration of fresh, wholesome ingredients.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 310 kcal

Servings: 6

What Goes in Barefoot Contessa Wild Rice Salad Recipe

• Wild Rice: Nutty, hearty grain that provides robust texture and earthy flavor, choose organic varieties for deeper taste profile and enhanced nutritional value.
• Water: Essential liquid for cooking rice, filtered water ensures clean, pure cooking result.
• Salt: Enhances rice's natural flavor, use sea salt for more mineral-rich taste.

• Artichoke Hearts: Tender, slightly tangy ingredient that adds Mediterranean sophistication, select jarred or canned hearts packed in olive oil for best quality.
• Green Bell Pepper: Crisp vegetable offering refreshing crunch and mild sweetness, pick firm peppers with vibrant green color.
• Green Onions: Delicate allium that brings subtle sharpness, choose bright green stalks with white bottoms for maximum flavor.
• Tomatoes: Juicy element introducing bright acidity, select ripe, firm cherry or vine-ripened varieties.
• Peas: Sweet, tender legume that contributes vibrant color and subtle sweetness, frozen peas work perfectly if fresh are unavailable.

• Olive Oil: Rich, smooth base for dressing that carries other flavors, opt for extra virgin for most authentic taste.
• Lemon Juice: Zesty component providing brightness and balance, fresh-squeezed yields superior flavor.
• Reserved Marinade: Optional flavor enhancer that adds depth and complexity.
• Slivered Almonds: Crunchy topping delivering nutty richness, toast briefly to intensify flavor and aroma.

Tools Needed for Barefoot Contessa Wild Rice Salad Recipe

• Large Pot (1L): Essential for cooking wild rice perfectly with a lid.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Precise for measuring rice, water, and dressing ingredients.
• Jar with Tight Lid: Perfect for mixing and shaking dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious for combining rice, vegetables, and tossing salad.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping green onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
• Colander: Useful for draining excess water from cooked rice.
• Cutting Board: Required for chopping vegetables safely.

Directions for Making Barefoot Contessa Wild Rice Salad

• Wild Rice Foundation

Craft a hearty base by gently simmering rice in a pot, allowing it to absorb water slowly and develop a tender, nutty texture. Patience is key in creating the perfect wild rice foundation.

• Vibrant Vegetable Ensemble

Chop a colorful medley of fresh vegetables like artichoke hearts, green peppers, and tomatoes. These crisp ingredients will bring life and energy to the salad, creating a delightful contrast with the rice.

• Zesty Flavor Fusion

Whip up a tangy dressing that marries herbs, citrus, and subtle seasonings. This liquid magic will transform the simple ingredients into a memorable culinary experience, bringing brightness and depth to every bite.

• Temperature and Texture Balance

Allow the salad to rest and mingle, either at room temperature or chilled. This resting period lets the flavors develop and blend, creating a harmonious and refreshing dish that can be enjoyed in multiple settings.

• Nutty Finale

Sprinkle toasted almonds over the top, adding a delightful crunch and earthy undertone. These golden nuggets elevate the entire dish, providing a satisfying textural contrast and gourmet finishing touch.

Flavor Tips for Barefoot Contessa Wild Rice Salad

• Mix dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots for a sweet burst of flavor.
• Add grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or crumbled feta cheese to transform this side dish into a hearty main course.
• Prepare the salad up to two days in advance for enhanced flavor melding. Store dressing separately and mix just before serving to keep ingredients crisp.
• Elevate the recipe by folding in fresh chopped herbs like parsley, basil, or mint for an extra layer of freshness and aromatic complexity.
• Enjoy this versatile salad chilled as a refreshing summer side or gently warmed during cooler months for a comforting dish that adapts to any season.

Ways to Serve Barefoot Contessa Wild Rice Salad

• Picnic Perfect Plating: Serve this vibrant wild rice salad in a large, colorful ceramic bowl that showcases the beautiful mix of vegetables and grains.
• Fresh Flavor Companions: Pair the salad with grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or as a standalone vegetarian main dish with a crisp white wine.
• Temperature Flex Feast: Enjoy the salad warm right after preparation or chilled for a refreshing summer side dish, making it versatile for different meal settings.
• Nutty Crunch Boost: Sprinkle extra toasted almonds on top just before serving to add a delightful textural contrast and enhance the overall eating experience.

How to Store Barefoot Contessa Wild Rice Salad

• Refrigerate Strategically: Store the wild rice salad in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the remaining dressing separately to maintain the salad's crisp texture.
• Prepare Ahead Wisely: Mix the ingredients a day before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop deeper, more complex taste profiles. The rice will absorb the dressing beautifully overnight.
• Revive Chilled Salad: When ready to serve cold leftovers, give the salad a quick stir and add a splash of fresh dressing to refresh the herbs and reinvigorate the overall flavor. Room temperature helps enhance the ingredients' natural taste.
• Freeze with Caution: While possible to freeze, the texture of vegetables like tomatoes and bell peppers may change. If freezing, consume within 1 month and thaw in the refrigerator overnight for best results.

Vibrant Barefoot Contessa Wild Rice Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa’s wild rice salad combines nutty grains with crisp vegetables and a zesty vinaigrette. Mediterranean flavors shine through this refreshing dish that delivers complex textures and bright herbal notes, inviting you to savor each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup wild rice
• 480 ml (16.2 fl oz) water
• ½ tsp salt (for cooking rice)
• 1 (175g) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained
• 1 (175g) green peas, drained
• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• ⅓ cup green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 320 ml (10.8 fl oz) rapeseed oil
• 120 ml (4 fl oz) white vinegar
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp celery seed
• ½ tsp ground white pepper
• ½ tsp dry mustard
• ¼ tsp paprika
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ¼ cup toasted slivered almonds (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Rice Preparation: Combine water and salt in a pot, bring to a boil. Add rice, stir to prevent clumping, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 45-60 minutes until tender and fluffy.
2. Dressing Creation: Combine all dressing ingredients in a sealed jar, shake vigorously to blend, and refrigerate to meld flavors thoroughly.
3. Salad Assembly: Transfer cooked rice to a large mixing bowl. Layer artichoke hearts, green peas, bell peppers, green onions, and tomatoes throughout the rice, creating a vibrant vegetable mosaic.
4. Flavor Infusion: Pour prepared dressing over the rice and vegetable mixture, gently fold to ensure complete coating. If possible, incorporate reserved marinade for additional flavor depth.
5. Finishing Touch: Sprinkle toasted slivered almonds across the salad surface for a delightful crunch and nutty accent. Serve warm or chilled, adjusting seasoning to taste before final presentation.

Notes

• Rice Cooking Precision: Wild rice requires patience and low heat to achieve perfect tenderness, typically taking 45-60 minutes for optimal texture and flavor absorption.
• Dressing Technique: Shake ingredients vigorously in a sealed jar to guarantee complete emulsification and flavor integration, enhancing the overall taste profile.
• Temperature Flexibility: Enjoy the salad warm immediately after preparation or refrigerate to develop deeper, more complex flavor nuances and allow ingredients to meld together.
• Topping Enhancement: Sprinkle toasted slivered almonds just before serving to add a delightful crunch and nutty dimension, elevating both taste and textural experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg