Since my parents moved to Texas I am the lone wolf of my immediate
family still living on the East Coast. Fortunately, my paternal grandparents,
aunts, uncle, and cousins are close by, so I am happily surrounded by family during the holidays even with mommy and daddy so far away.
... Never judge a grown woman who still calls her parents “mommy and daddy". FYI
... Never judge a grown woman who still calls her parents “mommy and daddy". FYI
We all gathered at my grandparent’s house Easter Saturday, and I came
prepared with this light and fresh Persian Cucumber and Brown Rice Salad. It
got along great with rare filet mignon from the grill, baked potatoes, salad, and gorgeously cooked
asparagus.
Make a boat load of this quick and healthy salad to eat for lunch or
dinner throughout the week. It gets better and better as the ingredients
mingle.
Time in Kitchen: 60 minutes (including prep time for rice)
Servings: 8
Nutrition information per serving: 220 calories, 26 carbs, 3 grams fiber, 4 grams protein, 11 grams fat
Ingredients:
4 cups cooked and chilled brown rice
6 Persian cucumbers (small variety), cut in to half moons
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped to bite size pieces
½ cup fresh mint, chopped
¼ cup fresh tarragon, chopped
¼ red onion, finely diced
½ cup roasted pistachios, shelled
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
The juice of 1 lemon
1 small clove garlic, grated
1 teaspoon raw honey
1 teaspoon raw honey
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Salt and pepper, to taste
Prepare brown rice according to package directions. On a clean cookie
sheet, spread the rice in an even layer to cool down (this also helps to create
a fluffy texture).
While the rice cools, chop the cucumbers, spinach, mint, tarragon, red
onion and toss together with pistachios. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon
juice, raw honey, olive oil, grated garlic, cinnamon and a liberal dose of salt and pepper
(to taste).
Toss all of the ingredients together. The salad can be served chilled
or at room temperature. Great to bring to a spring or summer pot luck!
I am loving this brown rice salad. All my favorite flavors and brown rice as well. Yum!
ReplyDeleteThe pistachios sound amazing in this!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful salad! I love the pistachios and cinnamon in this. Perfect for a spring dinner on the patio with a crisp glass of white. :)
ReplyDeleteYum! Looks delicious. Don't know that I can find Persian cucumbers here in Thailand, but I'll look!
ReplyDeleteYour dish would be the one at any buffet lunch that I would fill my plate with... it's healthy, light and delicious looking! Well done!! Have a great weekend my friend!! ~ Ramona
ReplyDeleteCrunchy cucumber and tender brown rice?!??! This dish is RIGHT up my alley!
ReplyDeleteI love cucumber salads! The ingredients list on this one is amazing! Spectacular dish. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteWow - that looks delicious and I completely agree with your advice to make a large bowl to have during the week!
ReplyDeleteThe mixed texture of this salad does make for a great bite. Love the contrast between the rice and cucumber! I really do like all the ingredients you put in this salad, so it is a winner in my book. Delicious creation-yum!
ReplyDeleteThis could be one of the most delicious looking cucumber rice salad I have seen in a long time! Yummy!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty - the cucumber half moons look great. What a lovely dish to share with your family ! Will be making this.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty - the cucumber half moons look great. What a lovely dish to share with your family ! Will be making this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delicious salad my friend :D
ReplyDeleteHealthy and great tasty elements too!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Great flavors. The cinnamon is a nice touch.
ReplyDeleteThis salad sounds so delicious and refreshing! I am loving the addition of the pistachios! So perfect for spring :)!
ReplyDeleteSo yummy looking. You know me and pistachios.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful salad.
ReplyDeleteThat looks so superb and makes a healthy meal. Your pics makes the dish so alive and can't stop admiring them.
ReplyDeleteLovely salad. And tasty looking photos.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Sounds like a brilliant side dish :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a gorgeous salad! And such a nice healthy alternative to all of the calorie-filled holiday dishes.
ReplyDeleteMmm this sounds like a delicious salad! I love the use of rice in a cold salad, just makes it seem more substantial - but I'm obsessed with carbs so it's all good for me! Plus this salad is pretty gorgeous! Yum!
ReplyDeleteThis would make for an incredible side! Love it.
ReplyDeleteI love those little Persian cucumbers they are crunchy-delicious. I love how you mixed them all up in this salad dish.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous salad!!I love all the contrasting colors and textures in this.Perfect for spring also :)will be trying this for sure :)
ReplyDeleteFor a rice lover like me, it's a shame that I have never made salad with rice. This is just brilliant, Kimmi!
ReplyDeleteOh I cannot wait to try this! Such a great salad both as a side or as a light lunch. Cucumbers are in season now and neighbors are sharing so I think I will whip some up soon!
ReplyDeleteInspiration for another dish to serve my gluten intolerant guests. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThis dish are my very favourite food of all time. Yours look amazing! YUM! Thanks for sharing this tasty recipe! I cant wait to try it!
ReplyDeleteIt looks so delicious. I'm thinking about making this recipe tomorrow. Good for my diet plan. Thank you!
ReplyDelete