Embark on a culinary journey through the vibrant world of rice salads, where flavors dance and textures intertwine to create a symphony of taste. From the classic Spanish paella to the refreshing Vietnamese rice noodle salad, these dishes showcase the versatility of rice as a culinary canvas. Discover the secrets of creating perfectly cooked rice, the art of balancing flavors, and the techniques for achieving the ideal texture. This comprehensive guide offers a diverse collection of rice salad recipes that cater to every palate.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of Spanish paella, where succulent seafood, tender chicken, and aromatic saffron come together in a symphony of flavors. Transport yourself to Southeast Asia with the refreshing Vietnamese rice noodle salad, where tangy dressing, crunchy vegetables, and herbs create a delightful symphony of textures and flavors. Experience the richness of Indian biryani, where fragrant basmati rice is layered with tender meat, aromatic spices, and nuts.
Indulge in the hearty goodness of Middle Eastern rice pilaf, where fluffy rice is adorned with savory meats, vegetables, and nuts. Discover the simplicity of Japanese rice balls, where sticky rice is transformed into delightful morsels filled with savory fillings. Explore the possibilities of Italian risotto, where creamy rice is infused with a variety of ingredients, creating dishes that are both elegant and comforting.
From the vibrant streets of Spain to the tranquil rice paddies of Asia, this culinary journey through rice salads offers a glimpse into the diverse culinary traditions that have shaped this beloved dish. With detailed instructions, helpful tips, and stunning photography, this guide will inspire you to create delicious and memorable rice salad dishes that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to culinary destinations around the world.
WILD RICE SALAD
Provided by Ina Garten
Time 1h50m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Place the wild rice in a medium pot with 4 cups of water and 2 teaspoons of salt and bring to a boil. Simmer uncovered for 50 to 60 minutes, until the rice is very tender. Drain well and place the rice back in the pot. Cover and allow to steam for 10 minutes. While the rice is still warm, place it in a mixing bowl. Peel the oranges with a sharp knife, removing all the white pith. Cut between the membranes and add the orange sections to the bowl with the rice. Add the olive oil, orange juice, raspberry vinegar, grapes, pecans, cranberries, scallions, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and the pepper. Allow to sit for 30 minutes for the flavors to blend. Taste for seasonings and serve at room temperature.
THE WORLD OF RICE SALADS
This easy basic recipe for rice salad comes from Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything Vegetarian. Turning it into an side dish for Japanese, Mexican, or Indian dinners is as simple as following one of the many variations.
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories Rice Salad Potluck Side Citrus Vegetarian Vegan Wheat/Gluten-Free Tree Nut Free Peanut Free
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
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 SALAD
This rice salad is a great summer salad in place of potato salad, or any time of year!
Provided by TRACEY44F
Categories Salad Grains Rice Salad Recipes
Time 4h50m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 15
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 423.6 calories, Carbohydrate 30.1 g, Cholesterol 158.8 mg, Fat 26.2 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 17.2 g, SaturatedFat 4.6 g, Sodium 691.4 mg, Sugar 5.8 g
RICE NOODLE SALAD
This salad is easy, sweet, spicy, nutty and light. Many friends request this for get-togethers, and our family enjoys it at least once a month for dinner. To make it a main dish, I add marinated and grilled teriyaki chicken.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 25m
Yield 8-10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Cook noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, carrot, pineapple, cilantro and onion. , In a blender, combine the dressing ingredients; cover and process until blended. Drain noodles and rinse in cold water; drain well. Add to spinach mixture. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 149 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 238mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
SUMMER RICE SALAD
Tangy dressing and flavorful ingredients make for a very tasty side dish that's a refreshing alternative to potato salad. People can't seem to stop eating this unique salad. It's great with hamburgers or chicken at picnics or potluck dinners. -Laura Panfil, Niles, Michigan
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 10m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine rice, tomatoes, onion and olives. In a small bowl, combine vinegar, oil, parsley, sugar and salt; mix well. Pour over rice mixture and toss to coat. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Serve in a lettuce-lined bowl if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 136 calories, Fat 6g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 296mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 2g protein.
Tips:
- Use high-quality rice: Choose a variety of rice that is suitable for salads, such as basmati, jasmine, or brown rice. Make sure the rice is cooked perfectly, according to the package instructions.
- Cool the rice completely before assembling the salad. This will help to prevent the salad from becoming mushy.
- Use a variety of vegetables: Rice salads are a great way to use up leftover vegetables. Some good choices include diced cucumber, tomatoes, bell peppers, corn, and carrots.
- Add some protein: Rice salads can be a complete meal if you add some protein. Some good options include grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu, or beans.
- Use a flavorful dressing: The dressing is what really brings a rice salad together. There are endless possibilities, so experiment until you find a dressing that you love. Some good options include a vinaigrette, a lemon-tahini dressing, or a creamy avocado dressing.
- Garnish the salad with fresh herbs: Fresh herbs add a pop of color and flavor to rice salads. Some good options include cilantro, basil, parsley, or mint.
Conclusion:
Rice salads are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or a side dish. With so many different variations, there is sure to be a rice salad recipe that everyone will enjoy. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give one of these rice salad recipes a try. You won't be disappointed!
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