Description
Mediterranean red rice salad brings exotic flavors to your plate with a delightful mix of herbs, vegetables, and zesty dressing. Colorful ingredients dance together, creating a refreshing dish that transports you to sunny coastal landscapes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 10 fluid ounces (275 milliliters) Camargue red rice
- 7 ounces (200 grams) feta cheese
- 2 ounces (50 grams) rocket leaves
Herbs and Aromatics:
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 3 spring onions, chopped
- 1 garlic clove
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon grain mustard
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Immerse red rice in cool water, gently swirling to remove excess starch, then drain completely.
- Cook rice in generously salted boiling water at medium-high heat for approximately 40 minutes, maintaining a covered pot.
- After cooking, remove from heat and allow rice to rest, covered, for additional 15 minutes to absorb remaining moisture and achieve perfect texture.
- Craft a vibrant dressing by whisking together minced garlic, robust mustard, tangy vinegar, freshly cracked black pepper, and smooth olive oil until emulsified.
- While rice remains warm, gently fold the dressing throughout, ensuring even distribution and allowing flavors to meld and absorb.
- Once rice reaches room temperature, incorporate finely chopped shallots, peppery rocket leaves, and delicate spring onions.
- Just before presentation, delicately crumble creamy feta cheese over the salad, creating a visually appealing and textural contrast.
Notes
- Ensure rice is thoroughly rinsed to remove excess starch and prevent clumping during cooking.
- Use a timer when cooking rice to achieve perfect texture, avoiding undercooked or mushy results.
- Allow rice to rest after cooking, creating fluffy and separated grains for a better salad base.
- Dress the rice while still warm to help it absorb flavors more effectively, enhancing overall taste profile.
- Opt for fresh, high-quality ingredients like crisp rocket and sharp feta to elevate the salad’s freshness.
- Customize the recipe by swapping feta with vegan cheese or omitting for a dairy-free version.
- Prepare dressing separately and adjust seasoning to personal taste preferences before mixing with rice.
- Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, keeping flavors intact.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg