Wild Rice Salad with Salmon and Asparagus

Do you have random texting conversations about food? Please nod your head up and down so I know it's not just me. Here's a screenshot of my cell phone:

Yes, that's my friend calling me mom. I'm a planner, what can I say? We're travelling together on a moms' mini vacation (thanks to my friends and my hubby who insisted that I go-love him!).

It is unheard of for me not to have good food on a plane.  Since our kids aren't joining us this time I'm ditching the sandwiches & apple slices and typical bribery food like lollipops, candy bars and gum.

A few of my requirements for travel food without kids is that it needs to:

1.  Be healthy 
2. Have protein 
3. Taste great

Why? Because I know that once we get to our destination that I'll eat my fair share of junk food and chocolate bars for breakfast & dessert in lieu of dinner. It's a vacation, after all!

If you're travelling soon or if you like wild rice give this one a try:

• 2 cups Lundberg Wild Rice Blend
• 4 cups of water
• A bunch of asparugus
• zest of one lemon
• 2 stalks of garlic scapes
• a few tablespoons of olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 8 ounces of wild smoked salmon (don't buy farmed, please.)

Cook rice according to package instructions.  Let cool.

Snap off end of the asparagus and place in a large bowl.  Thinly slice garlic scapes and mix with the asparagus, lemon zest, olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss well and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Broil on high for 5 minutes then on low for an additional 3-5 minutes.  Slice asparagus in bite size pieces.

Mix the cooked asparagus and garlic scapes with the rice & smoked salmon (flaked or cut into bite size pieces).

Salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with a slice or two of the leftover lemon from zesting.

Place rice in re purposed containers so that you can recycle them.

What food do you travel with?

PS- I met some of the Lundberg staff at Blogher last weekend. They are as delightful as the products they sell. I'm impressed with their food activism, in particular the consumers right to know which products contain GMO's in California. Way to go Lundberg Farms!