Rice Salad with Dried Fruit
Category: Main Course
Servings: 2
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Arborio Rice | 120g |
| Green Beans | 50g |
| Blueberries | 30g |
| Hazelnuts | 20g |
| Sliced Almonds | 20g |
| Parmigiano Reggiano DOP (Parmigiano) | 10g |
| Lambโs Lettuce (Songino) | To taste |
| Lemon Zest | 1 |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil (for cooking) | 1 tsp |
| Raspberries | 60g |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil (for dressing) | 30g |
| Fresh Mint | To taste |
| Salt | To taste |
Instructions
To prepare the Rice Salad with Dried Fruit, follow these simple steps:
-
Cook the rice: Begin by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the Arborio rice and cook according to the package instructions. Once done, drain the rice and set it aside to cool.
-
Prepare the vegetables and fruit: While the rice is cooking, wash the blueberries thoroughly and cut them in half. For the green beans, trim the ends and cut them in half lengthwise. Place the green beans in a separate pot of boiling water and cook until tender but still crisp. Drain and set aside.
-
Toast the nuts: In a hot pan, add the hazelnuts and sliced almonds. Toast them for a few minutes until golden brown and fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Set them aside to cool.
-
Make the raspberry dressing: Wash the raspberries gently and pat them dry with a paper towel. In a small bowl, mash the raspberries with a fork until they form a puree. Add 30g of extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt, and finely chopped fresh mint leaves to the mashed raspberries. Mix well to combine.
-
Assemble the rice salad: In mason jars or bowls, begin layering the salad. Start with a spoonful of the cooked rice at the bottom of each container. Then, add a spoonful of the raspberry dressing, followed by a layer of cooked green beans. Next, add a spoonful of blueberries, a few leaves of lamb’s lettuce, and a generous sprinkle of the toasted hazelnuts and almonds. Repeat the layering process, finishing with the rice, another layer of dressing, minty lambโs lettuce, Parmigiano Reggiano shavings (use a vegetable peeler to create the shavings), another spoonful of the toasted nuts, and a zest of lemon on top.
-
Serve and enjoy: Your Rice Salad with Dried Fruit is now ready to enjoy! This dish is a beautiful, fresh combination of textures and flavors, perfect for a light main course or a side dish for any occasion.
Tips for the perfect rice salad:
- Rice: Ensure the rice is well-drained and slightly cooled before assembling the salad to keep it from becoming too mushy.
- Dressing: You can adjust the amount of olive oil in the dressing depending on how creamy you want it. The mint adds a refreshing touch, but feel free to omit it if you’re not a fan.
- Nuts: Toasting th
