wild rice salad

i recently attended an event and this salad was served. again, tasty (super) and healthy. yum!

3/4 C wild rice
salt and pepper
1 large celery stalk, chopped
1/3 C dried cranberries
1/3 C walnuts, chopped (i must say that this is the one time i actually prefer the walnuts to pecans)
1-2 oranges, preferably navel, peeled and chopped
1/4 C fresh orange juice
1 T canola oil
1/4 C pomegranate seeds

1) in a large saucepan, place the rice, 3 C water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. bring to a boil over med-high heat. reduce the heat to med-low, cover and simmer until the rice is just tender, about 40 minutes. drain and place in a bowl.

2) add the celery, cranberries, walnuts, oranges and juice to the rice. add the oil and stir with a fork to combine. season to taste with salt and pepper. sprinkle with pomegranate seeds.