Spiced Rice Salad 🥗
Overview:
🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
🕒 Cook Time: 45 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour
🥘 Servings: 4
Description:
Looking for a refreshing twist on salads? This Spiced Rice Salad recipe is a gem I stumbled upon in a promotional salad cookbook, and let me tell you—it’s an absolute delight! Not your average salad, this dish boasts a beautiful blend of flavors and textures that will have your taste buds dancing. It’s so easy to make, and every time I bring it out, I’m flooded with requests for the recipe. For that extra touch, I love garnishing it with plenty of crunchy pistachios, zesty lime wedges, and fresh cilantro. 🌿
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup long grain brown rice 🍚
- 1/2 cup long-grain rice 🍚
- 1/4 cup dates, chopped 🌰
- 1/2 cup pistachio nuts, roughly chopped 🥜
- 1/3 cup fresh chives, finely chopped 🌱
- 4 tablespoons pistachio oil 🌿
- 5 tablespoons fresh lime juice 🍋
- 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped 🌿
- 3 teaspoons chili powder 🌶️
Dressing Instructions:
- Shake it Up: In a jar, combine the pistachio oil, fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, and chili powder. Give it a good shake until well mixed. 🌪️
Salad Instructions:
- Cook Rice: Cook the long grain brown rice and long-grain rice separately according to the package instructions. 🍚🕒
- Mix it Up: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice with the prepared dressing. Toss gently to coat the rice evenly. 🥗
- Add Flair: Fold in the chopped dates, pistachio nuts, and fresh chives. Mix everything together until well combined. 🌿
- Serve and Enjoy: This Spiced Rice Salad is best served at room temperature. Garnish with extra pistachios, lime wedges, and cilantro leaves for that final touch of freshness. 🥜🍋🌿
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 302.4
- Fat: 5.6g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 8.7mg
- Carbohydrates: 59g
- Fiber: 4.5g
- Sugar: 17g
- Protein: 6.6g
Keywords:
🍚 Rice, 🌱 Vegan, < 60 Mins
Recipe Instructions:
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Shake all dressing ingredients in a jar. Combine pistachio oil, fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, and chili powder in a jar. Shake vigorously until well mixed. 🌪️ |
| 2 | Cook two rices separately by package instructions. Follow the cooking instructions on the packages for both long grain brown rice and long-grain rice. Cook them separately until tender. 🍚🕒 |
| 3 | Mix the cooked rice together with dressing. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice with the prepared dressing. Toss gently to evenly coat the rice. 🥗 |
| 4 | Add dates, apricots, chives, pistachios & mix. Fold in the chopped dates, roughly chopped pistachio nuts, and finely chopped fresh chives. Mix everything together until well combined. 🌿 |
| 5 | Serve at room temperature. This Spiced Rice Salad is best enjoyed when served at room temperature. Garnish with extra pistachios, lime wedges, and fresh cilantro leaves for that perfect finishing touch. 🥜🍋🌿 |
Tips for Perfection:
- For added crunch, toast the pistachios lightly before adding them to the salad.
- Don’t have pistachio oil? Olive oil works wonderfully as a substitute.
- Customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of chili powder to suit your taste buds.
- This salad tastes even better the next day, as the flavors have a chance to meld together.
Serving Suggestions:
This Spiced Rice Salad makes a fantastic standalone dish for a light lunch or dinner. You can also pair it with grilled vegetables, roasted chicken, or tofu for a more substantial meal. Serve it alongside a refreshing cucumber mint yogurt dip for a complete flavor experience.
Storage:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Remember to give it a good stir before serving, as the dressing may settle at the bottom. Enjoy this salad chilled or let it come to room temperature before serving.
From its vibrant colors to its tantalizing flavors, this Spiced Rice Salad is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Whether you’re vegan, a rice lover, or simply craving something delicious, this salad has it all. Give it a try, and get ready to be amazed by its delightful taste! 🥗✨
