Recipe: Healthy Rice Salad Packed with Raw Vegetables and Fresh Greens (2024)

Recipe: Healthy Rice Salad Packed with Raw Vegetables and Fresh Greens (2)

A pile of fresh vegetables and herbs is stirred into hot rice, then tossed with a simple olive oil and lemon dressing: easy, nutritious, gluten-free, delicious!


We love rice, and of course we love all-natural foods that are produced by socially responsible companies. So when my publishing network, BlogHer, asked if I was interested in creating a healthy recipe using one of RiceSelect's Royal Blend® rices as part of an upcoming ad campaign (which helps me and over 3,000 other mostly women bloggers bring you all our blog content for free), I said sure.

RiceSelect™ is a research based company focused on high value organic and all-natural products. All RiceSelect products are verified non-GMO and are grown, milled, and packaged in the United States under the most stringent farming and production guidelines. Their farms use a sustainable environmentally friendly process that assures socially responsible production.

There are three RiceSelect Royal Blend® products, and myrecipe calls for the Royal Blend® with Brown, Red, & Wild Rice, which is an all-natural blend of Texmati White, pre-cooked brown, wild, and Thai red rice. It has no added sodium, a wonderful nutty flavor, and is ready to eat in less than half an hour.

In the 15 minutes it takes the rice to cook, you can turn a simple side dish into a healthy, colorful, flavor-packed feast. A pile of fresh vegetables and herbs is stirred into the hot rice then tossed with a simple olive oil and lemon dressing. It's delicious warm, cold, or at room temperature.

Recipe below. . .

Recipe: Healthy Rice Salad Packed with Raw Vegetables and Fresh Greens (3)


Healthy Rice Salad Packed with Raw Veggies and Fresh Greens

Makes about 5 cups

Can you really mix 5 cups of herbs and vegetables into less than three cups of cooked rice? Yep. This simple, flavorful recipe is a great way for those who aren't big on munching giant salads to get a big serving of fresh greens.

To turn this into a vegetarian main course, just stir in some chopped fresh tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and garbanzo beans, then wrap it all up in flour tortillas if desired.

Once you realize that almost anything can be stirred into hot rice, you can let your imagination run wild. I've added everything from caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, and cooked ground lamb to this basic recipe. Other ideas: a handful of your favorite fresh herbs, shredded carrots or finely chopped broccoli, some cooked lentils, chopped nuts, leftover chicken or roasted vegetables.

If you can't find RiceSelect Royal Blend rices locally, they areavailable on Amazon.com.

Ingredients:

1½ cups water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon organic butter

2 cups packed (about 4 ounces) finely chopped fresh spinach or kale (any tough stems removed)

1 cup lightly packed (about 1½ ounces) chopped fresh parsley

1 cup chopped scallions (white and green parts)

1 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper (about 1 large bell pepper)

Dressing:

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 small clove garlic, minced (about 1/2 heaping teaspoon)

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Optional additions:

Diced fresh plum tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes

Organic garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed if canned

Crumbled feta cheese

Flour tortillas (or gluten-free tortillas)

Instructions:

1. Combine the rice, water, salt, and butter in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil; stir once. Cover with a tight fitting lid, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.

2. Chop the vegetables while the rice is cooking.

3. When the rice is done simmering, turn off the burner and let the rice sit, covered, on the warm burner for 10 minutes while you make the dressing.

4. Place the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a glass measuring cup or small bowl and mix with a fork until well combined. Or you can make the dressing ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator; bring to room temperature and mix well before using.

5. Stir the greens, parsley, scallions, and red pepper into the rice. It will look like you just added way too many vegetables, but they'll soften and shrink down in the hot rice. Add the dressing and stir until well combined.

6. Replace the lid on the pot and let sit for a few minutes.

7. Stir, taste and adjust seasonings if needed, and reheat lightly if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature, either as is or with tomatoes, garbanzo beans, and/or crumbled feta mixed in. Keeps in the refrigerator for up to two days.

Wrap it up:

You can either mix everything up together and then fold it into a tortilla, or layer the rice mixture and other ingredients. For 1 cup cooked rice I used 1/4 cup garbanzo beans, 1 large plum tomato (about 1/3 cup diced), and 2 Tablespoons feta cheese.


Still hungry? You'll find links to all my sweet and savory Less Fuss, More Flavor recipes in the Farmgirl Fare Recipe Index.


© FarmgirlFare.com, the vegetable happy foodie farm blog where Farmgirl Susan shares recipes, stories, and photos from her crazy country life on 240 remote Missouri acres—and the sheep and donkeys aren't the only ones who love their greens.

Recipe: Healthy Rice Salad Packed with Raw Vegetables and Fresh Greens (2024)

FAQs

Are rice salads really that healthy or not? ›

One of the advantages of rice salad is its versatility. It can be seasoned with different ingredients that never bore the palate and provide a wide variety of nutrients. What's more, if prepared with the right ingredients, it can become a one-of-a-kind, health-friendly dish.

How much brown rice per person? ›

Brown rice makes a tasty rice salad, but it must be cooled quickly after cooking and served straight from the fridge. To store: Keep in a cool, dry cupboard for up to 1 year. To cook: Allow approximately 50g rice per person, place the rice in a large pan of boiling water, add salt to taste and boil for 30-35 minutes.

How to cook brown rice in Jamie Oliver? ›

Method. Rinse the rice in a sieve under cold running water to get rid of some of the starch, then place in a pan with a pinch of sea salt and cover with 400ml of water. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 45 minutes, until all the water has been absorbed and the rice is fully cooked.

What is the healthiest rice to eat everyday? ›

Brown rice

Whole grain rice such as brown rice is less processed and refined than white rice. As a result, brown rice contains more nutrients such as fiber and minerals such as magnesium, iron, and zinc.

What is the best rice for weight loss? ›

Eating whole grains like brown rice has been found to be really good for weight loss, with one study finding that people who regularly ate high-carbohydrate whole grains such as brown or coloured rice had a higher resting metabolism and didn't absorb as many calories during digestion [9].

Why is it called forbidden rice? ›

Forbidden rice is also known as imperial rice, heaven rice and king's rice. In ancient China, this exquisite ingredient was exclusive to the emperors, who ate it for longevity and good health. It was forbidden to all but the most wealthy and powerful people, thus its name.

What is a Cobb salad and why is it called that? ›

The Cobb salad was born in the wee hours of a Hollywood, California, morning in 1937 at the Brown Derby restaurant. The owner, Bob Cobb, was ruffling through the kitchen's refrigerator, pulling out various remnants including lettuce, hard-boiled eggs, cheese, tomatoes, chives and avocado.

Can you eat rice cold in a salad? ›

Yes, you can eat cold rice, but it should be properly refrigerated and stored to avoid foodborne illness. Reheat it thoroughly or use it in cold dishes like salads. Rice is a staple food in nearly every kitchen across the globe. It's inexpensive, simple to cook, and can be prepared in large quantities.

How to make brown rice taste good but still healthy? ›

Build flavors early on!

Ginger and garlic both make for exceptional brown rice. If you're going the spice route we love turmeric, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika with brown rice. Try adding some of these spices to the pot as you cook your aromatic vegetables. Cook in a flavorful liquid.

Can I eat as much brown rice as I want? ›

Brown rice contains the antinutrient phytic acid and is higher in arsenic than white rice. This can be a concern for those who eat a lot of rice. However, moderate consumption should be fine.

How many glasses of rice do I need for one person? ›

A standard serving of rice is usually half a cup for a side dish or one cup as a main dish per person. One cup of cooked rice serves 1-2 individuals, but one cup of uncooked rice yields approximately 3 cups of cooked rice, enough to serve 3-6 people.

Should I add butter to brown rice? ›

Add extra seasoning: cooking brown rice with salt is essential for flavorful grains, but you can also infuse more flavor by adding olive oil and butter, swapping in garlic salt, or adding spices such as cayenne, ground ginger or cumin.

Do you rinse brown rice before or after cooking? ›

First, rinse the rice.

If they're not washed away, they will cause the rice to clump and become gummy as it cooks. Our goal is to make perfectly fluffy brown rice, so don't skip this step! I like to rinse mine in a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl until the water in the bowl runs clear.

Why do you soak brown rice before cooking? ›

Soaking is optional, but we recommend it! Soaking grains helps to remove some of the naturally-occurring phytic acid in the grain, which helps improve digestibility and speed cook time. To soak: Add rice to a large mixing bowl or pot and cover with twice the amount of lukewarm water (1 cup rice + 2-3 cups water).

What is the healthiest salad you can eat? ›

10 Nutrient-Dense Salad Recipes
  • Low-Carb Asian Chopped Salad.
  • Spicy Shrimp, Avocado, and Arugula Salad.
  • Tofu and Kale Salad.
  • Pear, Grape, and Feta Salad.
  • Mediterranean Chicken Salad.
  • Blood Orange and Quinoa Kale Salad.
  • Golden Beet and Pomegranate Salad.
  • Roasted Chickpea and Kale Salad.
Jul 20, 2021

Is there anything unhealthy about rice? ›

May Contain High Levels of Arsenic

The rice plant accumulates more arsenic than most other food crops. This becomes a problem where soil or water sources are contaminated with arsenic. High intake of arsenic is associated with an increased risk of cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Is rice Bowl good for weight loss? ›

Studies that have analyzed the effects of serving size have shown that reducing the size of the rice bowl reduces calorie intake, body weight, and blood sugar levels ( 28 ). Therefore, rice can be weight-loss-friendly or calorie-dense, depending on the serving size.

What is a healthier option than rice? ›

Individuals often use quinoa to substitute rice because it contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein . Quinoa also supports heart health and has hypoglycemic effects, which help lower blood sugar. Each 100 g portion of dried quinoa contains: 364 calories.

References

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