Avocado & Wild Rice Salad

HeatherFeather's Note:

This salad has a very different taste and looks lovely on a luncheon table. I usually prepare the rice the night before so it is ready to prepare in the morning, by lunch the salad is ready to serve. I use Rice a Roni Wild Rice Pilaf mix for this recipe most often, but you may use the wild rice mix of your choice. Adapted from a recipe found in Quick Cooking.

• Total Time: 24 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 24 hrs
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 2 (6 ounce) packageslong grain and wild rice blend, such as uncle ben's or 2 (6 ounce) packages Rice-A-Roni
• 2 ripe avocados , peeled and cut in small chunks
• 1 (8 ounce) jar marinated mushrooms , undrained
• 1 (6 ½ ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts , undrained
• 1 -2 cup cherry tomatoes , halved & quartered
• 1 red bell pepper , seeded and diced
• 2 -3 green onions , sliced
• ½ cup Italian salad dressing
• lettuce leaf , garnish

Directions:

1. Follow package directions to prepare the rice mixes and cool in the fridge.
2. Combine cold rice with the remaining ingredients, tossing gently to combine.
3. Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least for 6 hours.
4. When ready to serve, line a bowl or platter with clean lettuce leaves and mound the salad on top.

Reviews

[ratherbeswimmin']

Excellent rice salad, Heather. I followed your lead and made the rice the night before, then mixed everything together and let refrigerate all day. We had a quick, easy supper that night. A wonderful combination of flavors. I served on lettuce leaves with iced tea. Light in calories but very filling. Thanks.

[Miss Annie]

A very nice salad! Actually, you could add some grilled chicken to the dish and have a one dish supper. I especially liked the flavors of the marinated artichokes and mushrooms with the avacado. The dish was easy to prepare. I will be using this recipe again. Thanks!

[Sackville]

This is scrumptious and healthy. I made it with Inez's Italian Herb Salad Dressing (#26706) and took it to work for lunch, although it would be great at a potluck or as a side dish at a dinner party. Thanks for a tasty recipe!