Yep…a warm, nutty, wild rice salad, cooked start to finish in the oven with not a pot or pan in sight. Spiked with juicy cranberries and some peppery arugula, this is an easy entertaining go-to.
2 hrs total time
20 mins active time
Easy
Serves 6-8
Ingredients
Measurements:
For the steeped cranberries
½ cup (2½ oz) dried sweetened cranberries
1 cup (8 fl oz) hot strong black tea
For the onions
2 yellow onions
thinly sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp kosher salt
For the nuts
2 tbsp raw almonds
2 tbsp pine nuts
1 tsp olive oil
For the rice and grains
½ cup (3½ oz) brown rice
rinsed
¼ cup (1¾ oz) wild rice
rinsed
1¾ cups (14 fl oz) boiling water
divided
1 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tsp kosher salt
divided
½ cup (3½ oz) quinoa
rinsed
For the dressing
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 clove garlic
minced
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp ground white pepper
¼ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
finely chopped
2 tbsp dill
finely chopped
2 oz arugula
Instructions
1Insert the wire rack into position 7. Place the roasting pan on the rack to catch any drips during cooking. Set the oven to Air Fry, Super Convection, 400°F, for 30 minutes and press Start to preheat. Meanwhile, continue to the next step.
2Combine the cranberries and tea in a heatproof bowl. Set aside to cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, continue to the next step.
3Combine the onions, oil and salt in a medium bowl. Spread the mixture evenly in the center of the air fry basket.
4Once preheated, place the basket in position 3 and cook for 30 minutes. After 10 minutes cooking, turn the onions, bringing the outer edges to the center. After a further 10 minutes, turn the onions again.
5The onions should be brown and soft. If not, cook them a little longer.
Tip: It’s Ok if the onions appear charred in places.
6Adjust the oven time to 3 minutes and press Start. Meanwhile, transfer the onions to a bowl. Wipe out the roasting pan, if needed. In a separate bowl, toss the almonds, pine nuts and oil together and spread in the roasting pan. Place the pan in the oven and cook for 3 minutes.
7The nuts should be lightly browned. If not, cook them a little longer.
8Move the wire rack to position 5. Adjust the oven to Bake, Convection, 375°F, for 1 hour and press Start. Meanwhile, place the brown rice, wild rice, 1¼ cups boiling water, butter and 1½ teaspoons salt in a 13-inch x 9-inch (14-cup capacity) ovenproof dish and stir to combine. Cover tightly with foil.
9Place the dish in the oven and cook for 1 hour. After 30 minutes cooking, carefully lift the foil, avoiding the steam. Add the quinoa, ½ cup boiling water and ½ teaspoon salt. Stir to combine, reseal the foil and continue cooking for a further 30 minutes.
10The grains should have absorbed all the liquid. If not, cook it a little longer.
11Allow to stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, make the dressing.
12Combine the oil, zest, juice, garlic, salt and pepper in a large bowl and whisk to combine.
13Strain the cranberries over a bowl. Add 3 tablespoons of the steeping liquid to the dressing and whisk to combine. Discard the remaining steeping liquid.
14Stir the grains with a fork to separate. Add to the dressing and stir. Add the onions, nuts, drained cranberries, herbs and arugula and stir to combine after each addition.