This vibrant and refreshing rice salad combines Mediterranean flavors with fresh vegetables and a zesty lemon dressing. It's perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish for your summer gatherings.
Rinse 200 g of long-grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This step removes excess starch and helps prevent the rice from sticking together.
Add the rinsed rice to a pot with 250 ml of water. Bring the water to a boil, then cover the pot and reduce the heat to low.
Let it simmer for 8 minutes without lifting the lid. After 8 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, still covered, for another 10 minutes.
Fluff up the rice with a fork and let it cool in the fridge.
Prepare the Dressing:
In a jar, combine 60 ml of olive oil, the juice of 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning or dried herbs, and 2 cloves of garlic (puréed or minced).
Seal the lid and shake well to combine the ingredients.
Assemble the Salad:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rice, 50 g of sun-dried tomatoes, 1 diced orange bell pepper, 1 diced cucumber, 1 diced red onion, 150 g of cherry or plum tomatoes, 150 g of sweetcorn, 50 g of green and black olives, and 30 g of pine nuts.
Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and mix everything together until well combined.
Serve:
Serve the salad in a large bowl or plate, garnished with fresh basil and parsley. This salad is best served cold or at room temperature.
Notes
Rinsing the Rice: Ensure you rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch. This helps keep the rice grains separate in your salad.
Cooling the Rice: Allow the cooked rice to cool completely before adding the other ingredients. This prevents the vegetables from wilting and the dressing from separating, ensuring your salad stays fresh and crisp.
Storage: This salad is best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you've added any meat products, ensure they are reheated to a safe temperature before consuming.
Customisation: Feel free to customise this recipe based on your preferences. Add more vegetables, include some protein, or change the dressing.