Healthy Recipes Salad Cherry, Wild Rice & Quinoa Salad 4.8 (6) 6 Reviews This whole-grain wild rice and quinoa salad recipe is perfect for toting to summer potlucks. It features sweet cherries, crunchy celery, nutty aged goat cheese and toasted pecans. If you can find red quinoa, it's particularly pretty. By Carolyn Malcoun Carolyn Malcoun As EatingWell's Associate Editorial Director, Carolyn Malcoun searches for cool farmers, chefs and other food stories to tell. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin and a culinary arts degree from New England Culinary Institute. She started at EatingWell as an intern in the Test Kitchen in 2005 and joined the editorial team soon after. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 22, 2024 Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters. Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen Reviewed by Dietitian Jill Cerreta, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Jill Cerreta, M.S., RD Jill Cerreta was a nutrition consultant for EatingWell for a number of years, reviewing our content for factual accuracy and ensuring recipes fit our nutrition parameters. As a registered dietitian, she meets with clients at her private practice, Live Well Nutrition, based in Rutland Town, Vermont. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Save Rate PRINT Share Close Cook Time: 30 mins Additional Time: 30 mins Total Time: 1 hr Servings: 8 Yield: 8 servings, about 3/4 cup each Nutrition Profile: High-Fiber Vegetarian Gluten-Free Jump to Nutrition Facts Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients ¾ cup wild rice 1/2 cup quinoa (see Tips), rinsed if necessary ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil ¼ cup fruity vinegar, such as raspberry or pomegranate ¾ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper 2 cups halved pitted fresh sweet cherries (see Tips) 2 stalks celery, diced ¾ cup diced aged goat cheese, smoked Cheddar or other smoked cheese 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted (see Tips) Directions Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add wild rice and cook for 30 minutes. Add quinoa and cook until the rice and quinoa are tender, about 15 minutes more. Drain and rinse with cold water until cool to the touch; drain well. Meanwhile, whisk oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the rice and quinoa, cherries, celery, cheese and pecans and toss to combine. Serve at room temperature or cold. Tips Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Tips: Although quinoa--a grain that was a staple in the ancient Incas' diet--was once only found in natural-foods stores, it's now readily available at most large supermarkets and even warehouse stores. Rinsing removes any residue of saponin, quinoa's natural, bitter protective covering. Most quinoa is sold already rinsed; check the label. To pit fresh cherries, use a tool made for the job--a hand-held cherry pitter; it also works for olives! Or pry out the pit with the tip of a knife or vegetable peeler. Toast chopped or sliced nuts in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes. Spread whole nuts on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F, stirring once, until fragrant, 7 to 9 minutes. Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, May/June 2012 Rate It Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 282 Calories 16g Fat 27g Carbs 8g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 8 Serving Size about 3/4 cup Calories 282 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 27g 10% Dietary Fiber 4g 13% Total Sugars 7g Protein 8g 16% Total Fat 16g 21% Saturated Fat 4g 20% Cholesterol 10mg 3% Vitamin A 247IU 5% Vitamin C 3mg 3% Folate 42mcg 11% Sodium 272mg 12% Calcium 108mg 8% Iron 1mg 8% Magnesium 59mg 14% Potassium 265mg 6% Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.