Oriental salad with rice
Oriental rice salad – a simple and healthy dish, ideal for a balanced diet
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Number of servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 200 g basmati or long rice
- 150 g frozen peas
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 small red onion
- 100 g green or black olives (pitted)
- 50 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 bunch of fresh parsley
Step 1: Prepare the rice
Start by washing the rice under cold running water to remove excess starch. This step is essential for achieving slightly sticky rice. Then, in a pot, add the rice and 500 ml of water along with a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes, until all the water is absorbed. Once done, remove from heat and let it cool.
Step 2: Prepare the vegetables
Meanwhile, wash the vegetables. Cut the bell peppers into small cubes and chop the red onion. If using frozen peas, you can add them directly to boiling water for a few minutes to quickly thaw, then drain.
Step 3: Mix the ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the cooled rice, peas, bell peppers, and onion. Add the sliced olives and gently mix to combine the flavors.
Step 4: The dressing
In a small container, mix the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. This simple dressing will add a fresh note to your salad. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated.
Step 5: Garnish and serve
Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley on top for added color and freshness. The oriental rice salad is ready to serve! You can chill it in the fridge before serving for an even more refreshing experience.
Serving suggestions and variations
This salad is extremely versatile. You can serve it as a main dish or as a side with grilled meat. You can also add ingredients like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, or even feta cheese cubes for a Mediterranean touch. If you want to give it a more exotic flavor, you can include cooked chickpeas or avocado.
Final notes
The oriental rice salad is not only a simple recipe but also a healthy dish rich in nutrients. Ideal for a balanced diet, it is quick to prepare and perfect for warm days. Enjoy every bite!
Put a pot on high heat with water halfway and salt. When it starts to boil, add the rice. Long-grain rice is recommended for this salad. Let it boil on high heat uncovered for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain and rinse in several cold waters. Drain well and place in the salad bowl. Mix in the peas. Garnish with sliced olives, capers, and red bell pepper. Sprinkle with finely chopped onion and parsley broken into small florets. Pour the dressing and mix the salad. Let it sit at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes. NOTE: The vinegar used for this salad can be wine, apple, or rice vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is not recommended. Serve cold in bowls. Other recommended recipes:
Ingredients: a cup of long-grain rice, a cup of canned peas, a few quartered olives, strips of roasted bell pepper or pickled pepper, capers from a jar, two to three green onion stalks, parsley sprigs. Sauce: 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, crushed pepper.
