Riceandnutsalad Recipes

NUT RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Prep notes: Peel and finely slice the onion or shallots. Peel and mince the garlic. Roughly chop the nuts. Measure out the spices into a small bowl so they're ready to add. Measure out the wine and broth. Mince the parsley.
• Heat a large frying or saute pan with a tight-fitting lid over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, swirl the pan to coat it with the oil, and when the oil is hot (it will shimmer a bit), add the onion and the salt. Cook, stirring frequently until the onion is soft, about 3 minutes.
• Increase the heat to high and add the nuts. Cook, stirring constantly, until the nuts start to toast. The onions will brown a bit, which is good; if they start to burn or char at all reduce the heat and move to the next steps.
• Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Evenly sprinkle on the coriander , cumin, and pepper. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add the rice and stir to combine--the rice should be well coated with the oil and the onions.
• Pour in the wine and cook, stirring, until the rice can completely absorbed the wine, about 2 minutes.
• Slowly pour in the broth and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook until the rice is tender to the bite, about 50 minutes.
• Fluff the pilaf with a fork. Add salt to taste, if needed. Stir in the minced parsley and garnish with whole leaves, if you like. Serve the rice pilaf hot or warm (the range of possible temperatures here makes this an excellent option for buffets).

RICE SALAD

Steps:

• In a saucepan bring water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside to cool.
• Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.
• Rinse frozen peas under cold water. Strain, and place in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs, rice, celery, onions, and pimiento; toss to combine, and set aside. In a separate bowl, stir the mayonnaise together with mustard, lemon juice, relish, tuna, dill, salt, and pepper until well blended. Add to the vegetable mixture, and toss to combine. Cover, and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours. Toss once more before serving. Serve chilled.

BROWN RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Cook brown rice until tender, allow to cool.
• To prepare the dressing put the ingredients into a large jar with a tight fitting lid and shake well. Put aside.
• In a large bowl add the rice and all other salad ingredients.
• Pour over the dressing and mix through. The flavours improve on standing as the rice soaks in the dressing. Enjoy!

THE WORLD OF RICE SALADS

Steps:

• Put the rice and all the vegetables in a large bowl. Drizzle with vinaigrette and use two big forks to combine, fluffing the rice and tossing gently to separate the grains.
• Stir in the parsley, taste, and adjust the seasoning or moisten with a little more dressing. Serve at room temperature or refrigerate for up to a day, bringing the salad back to room temperature before serving.
• Variations:
• Rice Salad, Japanese Style: Use brown or white short-grain rice. Halve the amount of celery and carrot and finely chop them or shred them on a grater. Add 1 cup cubed firm tofu (preferably baked). Instead of the vinaigrette, toss with 1/4 cup or so of Simple Miso Dipping Sauce (made by whisking together 6 tablespoons miso paste, 3/4 cup warm water or sake, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 tablespoon mirin or honey, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar plus more to taste, and salt to taste). Instead of the parsley, crumble 2 sheets of nori over the rice salad and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons black or white sesame seeds.
• Rice Salad, Mexican Style: Long-grain or medium-grain, white or brown, all work well here. When blending the vinaigrette, add 1 tablespoon chili powder and 2 tablespoons Mexican crema or mayonnaise. Instead of celery and carrot, add 1 cup chopped fresh tomato. Substitute chopped fresh cilantro for the parsley and, at the same time, add 2 chopped hard-cooked eggs and chopped jalapeño chiles if you like. Serve with lime wedges.
• Rice Salad, Indian Style: Use brown or white basmati rice. When making the vinaigrette, use rice wine vinegar, replace the oil with coconut milk, and add 1 tablespoon curry powder, or more to taste. Instead of the bell pepper, celery, and carrot, add 1/2 cup each cubed cooked potato, cooked cauliflower florets, and green peas (cooked frozen are fine). Substitute cilantro for the parsley.
• Citrus Rice Salad: Use any rice. Instead of red wine vinegar, make the vinaigrette with freshly squeezed citrus juice-choose from lemon, lime, orange, blood orange, tangerine, pink grapefruit, or a combination. Whatever you use, add 2 tablespoons of the grated zest and 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey to the blender. Do not include the scallion or the vegetables. (You might want to use a little less dressing.) Instead of the parsley, use mint if you like. A handful of chopped almonds or pecans make a nice addition.
• Tomato Rice Salad: Use any kind of brown or white rice. When making the vinaigrette, eliminate the vinegar and add 1 medium tomato to the blender. Instead of the scallion and other vegetables, add 2 cups chopped fresh tomato (a mixture of heirloom varieties is nice).Instead of the parsley, use chopped fresh basil or mint, or 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives, chervil, dill, or about a tablespoon of fresh thyme leaves.

RICE AND NUT SALAD

Steps:

• Put the olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a screw top jar and shake vigorously until thickened.
• Mix together the soaked fruits, rice, nuts, peaches, cucumber, beans and olives.
• Pour the dressing over and toss thoroughly.
• Serve on a bed of shredded crisp lettuce or endive.

COLD RICE SALAD

Steps:

• For the rice: Place the rice, 3 cups water, and a pinch of salt in a pot, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook on low until tender, about 20 minutes. Turn the rice out onto a sheet tray and let it cool completely. Next, combine the rice, peas, red bell pepper and red onion. Toss gently.
• For the dressing: In a small bowl, add the rice wine vinegar, a small pinch salt and a few turns of freshly ground pepper. Mix together and slowly drizzle in the vegetable oil and then the sesame oil.
• Pour the dressing over the rice and mix until the rice is thinly coated. Taste, and re-season if necessary.