Maitake Wild Rice Salad

This simple salad pairs the tender yet hearty maitake mushrooms with nutty wild rice and crunchy walnuts. It is served at room temperature or chilled so you can take it along to your next picnic or potluck. You’ll need cooked and cooled wild rice before tossing this recipe together so be sure to plan ahead.

Author: Mushroom Council

Serves: 6

What You Need

½ cup raw walnut pieces
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped yellow onion
6 ounces maitake mushrooms, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup dry wild rice, cooked according to package directions and cooled
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

What You Do

Toast the walnut pieces over medium-high heat in a large, dry skillet. Stir often and cook for 3 minutes, or until you begin to smell their nutty aroma. Remove from the heat and transfer the nuts to a bowl to cool.
Add the olive oil to the skillet and return it to medium heat. Add the onions. Cook, stirring often for 1 minute. The onion will begin to turn golden brown in spots as it cooks in the oil. Stir in the mushrooms and cook for about 2 minutes. They will soften and shrink, but still have a somewhat firm bite. Stir in the walnuts and cook for another 30 seconds.
Remove the skillet from the heat and add the lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir well and let cool to room temperature.
Transfer the rice to a large bowl. Add the mushrooms. Toss to mix the ingredients. Sprinkle with chives before serving at room temperature or chilled.

Exotic, Salads, Main Dish, Sides, Dairy Free, Low Carb, Vegetarian & Vegan, Fall, Winter, Spring