Curried Lentil, Wild Rice and Orzo Salad

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup wild rice (125 mL)
• 2/3 cup green lentil or brown lentils (150 mL)
• 1/2 cup orzo pasta (125 mL)
• 1/2 cup currant or raisins (125 mL)
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped (50 mL)
• 1/3 cup slivered almond, toasted (75 mL)

Dressing

• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar (50 mL)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin (5 mL)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (5 mL)
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar (2 mL)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (2 mL)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander (2 mL)
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric (1 mL)
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika (1 mL)
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (1 mL)
• 1 pinch cinnamon
• 1 pinch clove
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1/3 cup canola oil or vegetable oil (75 mL)

Directions

1. 1

   In large pot of boiling salted water, cover and cook wild rice for 10 minutes.

2. 2

   Add lentils; boil for 20 minutes. Add orzo; cook just until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well and transfer to large bowl. Add currants and onion.

3. 3

   Dressing: In small bowl, whisk together vinegar, cumin, mustard, sugar, salt, coriander, turmeric, paprika, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and cayenne; whisk in oil. Pour over rice mixture and toss gently.

4. 4

   Let cool; cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.) To serve, sprinkle salad with almonds.