Can't Believe It's Allergy Free!

This is a satisfying comfort food.  Serve a favourite hot soup with this cold salad, and you have a wholesome meal for everyone at the table.

If wild rice is not available use brown rice, preferably the basmati variety.

To know more about wild rice, read my note on RICE, in the BASICS category

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked wild and brown rice blend. (one cup uncooked rice will yield almost 3 cups cooked rice).
• 2 cups cooked turkey breast cut into 1/2 inch cubes.  (Use chicken if you like)
• 1 medium red onion, finely chopped.
• 1 large red pepper, chopped
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 3 Tablespoons olive oil
• 3 teaspoons orange zest (grated orange rind)
• 3 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper(red chilly powder), or to taste
• Salt to taste.

Method

1. Gently stir in 1 cup washed and rinsed wild and brown rice blend in 3 cups boiling water, using a large saucepan.
2. Reduce heat, cover and allow rice to simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Uncover and check to see if rice is well cooked, or needs a little more water.  Cover and cook for a few more minutes if required.
4. (I pressure cook for 10-12 minutes).
5. Fluff cooked rice with a fork, and allow it to cool.
6. In a large bowl, combine cooked rice, cooked and diced turkey breast,
7. chopped onion, bell pepper and parsley.
8. In a smaller bowl, whisk together orange juice, rice vinegar, olive oil, orange zest, garlic, brown sugar, salt, and cayenne pepper.
9. Pour and mix gently into the rice and turkey mixture.

Make a few hours ahead and refrigerate before serving.

Did You Know–

A quarter cup of cranberries yields just 90 calories.

Cranberries are a good source of Vitamin C, a quarter cup serving gives us about 20% of our daily requirement.

Cranberries also contain potassium and phytochemicals

They do not have any fat or sodium, and are high in fiber

Pumpkin seeds are rich in Vitamin E.

Parsley is a good digestive aid, and is full of goodness—Vitamins C and A, iron, copper and manganese.