This nutty brown rice salad is a flavorful and nutritious dish that is perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish for dinner. It combines the earthy taste of brown rice with the crunch of nuts and the freshness of vegetables, all brought together by a zesty vinaigrette dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown rice
- 1 3/4 cups water
- 1/4 cup chopped almonds
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the brown rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes or until the rice is tender.
- While the rice is cooking, toast the almonds, walnuts, and pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly browned and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, toasted nuts, red bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, and parsley.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the rice mixture and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy the nutty brown rice salad as a healthy and satisfying meal!
Interesting Facts
Brown rice is a whole grain that is high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a healthy choice for a balanced diet.
Nuts are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants, adding both flavor and nutrition to this salad.
This salad can be customized with your favorite nuts, vegetables, and herbs to suit your taste preferences.