Usher in spring with this light and tasty Warm Asparagus and Wild Rice Salad. It works well as a side dish or a stand-alone light lunch.
Spring is here! The snow has melted and sweater days are here again. People are beginning to emerge from their homes and much more human activity can be seen and heard around the neighborhood. Children are playing outside and pets are taken for walks more frequently. Some are even clearing their driveways and garages. There is much to be done, but also much to enjoy.
Asparagus are the first signs of spring at the grocery stores. Green, flexible, thick, tender stalks are being sold at very reasonable prices. They are one of my favorite vegetables and I usually buy a pound or two each week. Soon the produce section will expand and become more colorful. It is time to think of lighter recipes with more fruits and vegetables.
I usually do a stir fry with asparagus but today I have decided to make this Warm Asparagus and Wild Rice Salad instead. This light and tasty dish works well as a side dish or a stand-alone light lunch.
INGREDIENTS
- ½ cup wild rice (85g)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 1 medium carrot (chopped)
- 1 stick celery (chopped)
- 1 cup brown rice (200g)
- 1¾ cups chicken stock (420ml)
- ¾ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground pepper
- 1 lb asparagus (trimmed and cut into 1½ inch pieces) (450g)
- 12 oz shrimps (peeled and deveined) (340g)
Dressing
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Freshly ground pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- Wash and drain wild rice. Place in a medium sized pan together with 2 cups (480ml) water Bring it to a boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 45 minutes. Remove and drain excess water. Set aside.
- In another pan, heat olive oil. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in brown rice. Add chicken stock. Bring to a boil. Add salt and pepper. Reduce heat and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes or until all water is absorbed by rice. Reduce heat to the lowest setting and continue to cook for 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- While the wild rice and brown rice are cooking, bring a medium pot of water to boil. Cook shrimp in lightly salted water for about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and set aside. Cook asparagus for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain and plunge in cold water to stop cooking. Remove and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine all dressing ingredients. Wild rice and brown rice should be done by now. Put both kinds of rice, shrimp, and asparagus in a big bowl. Stir in dressing. Toss to combine.
- Serve warm.
NUTRITION
NOTE: This post was updated on December 10th, 2013 with new pictures.
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 😎
That's a really nice and refreshing salad. Just love spring and it's new flavors. Love the salad too.
This looks really delicious. I received 4 to 5 different kinds of rice in the mail and I should try making something like this, except w/o meat since I am vegan! Yum!!!
Healthy and delicious salad…
this sounds so refreshing and perfect for the beginning of spring!
Divina Pe – Thanks Divina! Yes, so glad spring is here. looking forward to farmers markets and all the wonderful produce in the stores.
Noelle – Thanks for visiting 🙂 I have several different kinds of rice in my pantry as we eat a lot of rice. It is nice to be able to match it with the different kinds of dishes I cook.
Tina – Thanks for your nice comment and thanks for visiting 🙂
Peggy – Thanks for visiting! Yes, it is time for more veggies and lighter dishes.
Yum!
I just had asparagus today! No surprise actually – I eat it as often as I see it at the markets. This is a lovely combination. You just can't go wrong with asparagus and shellfish, and I love the idea of maple syrup in the dressing 🙂
i love shrimp..This salad sounds fabulous..yummy yumm
Looks so tempting…
A wonderful salad with asparagus, and I like the combo of it with rice and shrimp! Thanks so much for sending it in for BSI!
Hullo Biren,u have so wonderful a delicious world here and stopped by and found myslef here longer than i thought :-))))
Ofcourse how could i not add u to my reader?i dont want to miss on any deliciousness do i?
Cheers and wonderful day….
Yeah…I see my top favourite there…prawns! I'll surely love this dish…yum
Shrimp and asparagus. Two of my favorites. I love the simple sauce that goes with it.
Scott K – Thanks!
denise@quickies on the dinner table – I'm with you there…..bought another pound today! Most of the time I just simply stir fry it with garlic.
Sarah Naveen – I like shrimp too….good however it is cooked 🙂 Thanks!
Silence Sings – Hi again…..so glad to you back 🙂
5 Star Foodie – Thanks and I am excited to see the line up 🙂
Vanillastrawberryspringfields – I am glad you enjoyed your visit. Thanks for following 🙂
MaryMoh – We are on the same page. Prawns are so tasty and so easy to cook.
Mother Rimmy – They are my favorites too. I bought more asparagus today…..can't resist it as they are so fresh and nice 🙂
Hi Biren, first time here. Loved ur collection of recipes especiially the Irish soda bread, looks so good.I am following ur blog to learn and interact more with u.
Do find time to drop by and check out my space
http://cooking-goodfood.blogspot.com
Pari
This looks great! So glad to have come acros your site through Kathleen at Gonna Want Seconds! Such great stuff ~ especially this rice, it looks incredible!
I still haven't seen the GREEN asparagus here..:-(
The stir-fry looks very good!
A delicious Spring salad! So light and fresh. I love it! (I just started liking asparagus a few weeks ago when my Mom made me tsste it.)
Pari – Thanks for visiting and following! I have already checked out your blog….very interesting. Looking forward to more interaction with you as well 🙂
cookies and cups – Thanks so much for visiting. I also went to your blog via Kathleen's. Looking forward to more "chats" with you as well. This is so fun….. 🙂
Angie's Recipes – Thanks Angie! I think you should see them pretty soon in Germany. I really like them and use them a lot in my cooking.
Cinnamon Girl – Thanks Reeni! Asparagus are really pretty good. LOL!….about your mom making you taste them.
I am so happy for spring too! Great looking bowl, love the asparagus.
Beautiful dish! I really wanted to submit a dish to the BSI this week, but I don't think I'll make it…
The first days of spring are the best! They never fail to make me happy.
This salad looks lovely. I love the dressing.
Natashya KitchenPuppies – Yes, it is about time. Tired of the cold weather….
Andrea@wellnessNotes – Thanks for visiting. It was fun to think up of something to cook for BSI 🙂
Joanne – They really are. It's been so bright and sunny….just lovely 🙂 Thanks for visiting.