Garden Herb Rice Salad Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN RICE SALAD WITH VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Bring water and rice to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and pour enough cold water on top of the cooked rice to cover it. Stir to cool. Drain well; transfer rice into a bowl. Stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with herb salt.
• Mix capers, parsley, and lemon zest in a small bowl; add to rice. Mix in zucchini, carrots, yellow bell pepper, and red bell pepper. Season with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.

LEMON-HERB RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Remove 2 wide strips zest from 1 lemon with a vegetable peeler. Combine 1 strip zest with the vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook until the edges of the zest turn slightly golden, about 5 minutes. Let the lemon oil cool.
• Meanwhile, cook the rice as the label directs, adding the remaining strip lemon zest to the water. Transfer the rice to a large bowl, discarding the zest, and fluff with a fork. Let cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, make the dressing: Juice both lemons into a medium bowl. Add the vinegar, brown sugar, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and whisk until the sugar dissolves. Discard the zest from the lemon oil, then whisk the oil into the dressing. Add the onion slices and let marinate 15 minutes.
• Add the carrot, cucumber, peanuts, cilantro, mint, basil and watercress to the bowl with the rice. Add the dressing mixture and gently toss. Per Serving: Calories: 378; Total Fat: 15.5 grams; Saturated Fat: 1 gram; Protein: grams; Total carbohydrates: 55 grams; Sugar: 4 grams; Fiber: 1.5 grams; Cholesterol: 0 milligrams; Sodium: 159 milligrams

GARDEN ORZO SALAD WITH HERB DRESSING

Steps:

• In a food processor add lemon zest and juice, orange zest and juice, cider vinegar, parsley, basil. Turn on the processor and slowly add the olive oil until the mixture is blended together. Process until smooth and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
• Cook orzo in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• To a large mixing bowl add the raw corn kernels, diced celery, seeded and diced cucumber and whole cherry tomatoes.
• Once orzo is cooked, drain and rinse under cold water; drain well. Add cooled orzo to bowl and toss. Add dressing to salad and toss again. Season with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve.

HERBY RICE SALAD WITH PEAS AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Prepare the rice: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and salt it. Stir in the rice. When the water returns to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and cook the rice at a gentle simmer for about 15 minutes, or until tender but still a bit firm and not at all mushy. Drain the rice in a colander set in the sink, then transfer it to a large bowl. You can refrigerate it after this step or use it once it has cooled completely.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the peas, olive oil, sliced onion, lemon zest and juice, red-pepper flakes and ½ teaspoon salt. Allow to marinate, refrigerated, for 20 minutes or up to 3 days.
• Remove the sliced onion from the pea mixture and discard. Add 5 cups of the cooled or refrigerated rice to the pea mixture, along with the basil, mint, parsley and chives; toss gently to combine. Taste for salt and lemon juice. This is important - get it the way you want it. If the ratio needs a bit more rice, add it from whatever is left. (You should have another cup or so.) You may also wish to add more herbs.
• Serve in shallow bowls, draping a couple of slices of prosciutto alongside for each person. Alternatively, a spoonful of really good ricotta on top is also delicious. Or, serve with both prosciutto and ricotta - although vegetarians and vegans will enjoy this dish without the meat or dairy. Set out lemon wedges to squeeze to taste.

WILD RICE AND LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare rice according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cold water. Place lentils in a small saucepan. Add water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until tender, 20-25 minutes. Drain; rinse with cold water., In a small bowl, whisk oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic and salt until blended. In a large bowl, combine rice, lentils, tomatoes and green onions; drizzle with dressing. Just before serving, stir in arugula and cheese.

THAI-STYLE SPROUTED RICE AND HERB SALAD

Steps:

• Combine all of the salad ingredients in a large bowl.
• Combine the fish sauce and water in a small saucepan. Add the sugar, lemon grass, garlic and chili flakes, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, and simmer for five minutes, stirring occasionally. Make sure the liquid does not boil down. Transfer to a bowl or measuring cup, and whisk in the canola oil and lime juice. Toss with the salad.
• Line a platter with lettuce leaves, top with the salad and serve.