Name: Mediterranean Rice Salad (V)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 5 ml salt; 375 ml Golden Delight Thai rice; 625 ml fresh lemon juice; 625 ml extra-virgin olive oil; 1 clove garlic, minced; 5 ml fresh parsley, minced; 2 ml freshly ground black pepper; 2 ml red chilli flakes; 375 ml chopped baby spinach leaves; 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped; 1 small cucumber, finely chopped; 250 g cherry tomatoes, quartered; 125 ml chopped spring onion; 125 ml chopped flat leaf parsley; 125 ml chopped kalamata olives; 250 ml crumbled feta cheese

CategoryLight MealsDifficultyBeginner

As a salad this dish ticks the main checkboxes, loaded with veggies, olives, cheese, and a delightful dressing. The addition of cooled rice though gives this dish some complex carbohydrates, adding sustenance once eaten. As a vegetarian dish, the iron-rich spinach is complemented by the vitamin-c containing tomatoes and peppers. This homemade dressing ensures you aren’t loading your healthy salad with unnecessary kilojoules so often found in store bought bottled dressings. Enjoy on the side or add some extra protein for a main dish.

Yields6 Servings

Prep Time20 minsCook Time25 minsTotal Time45 mins

5 ml salt

375 ml Golden Delight Thai rice

625 ml fresh lemon juice

625 ml extra-virgin olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

5 ml fresh parsley, minced

2 ml freshly ground black pepper

2 ml red chilli flakes

375 ml chopped baby spinach leaves

1 red bell pepper, finely chopped

1 small cucumber, finely chopped

250 g cherry tomatoes, quartered

125 ml chopped spring onion

125 ml chopped flat leaf parsley

125 ml chopped kalamata olives

250 ml crumbled feta cheese

In a medium pot, cook the Golden Delight rice as per on pack instructions in salted water. Drain and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, parsley, pepper, chilli flakes, and salt.

Add the dressing to the rice and toss to combine.

Add the spinach, toss, and let sit until no longer steaming, about 20 minutes.

Add remaining ingredients and toss to combine. Serve at room temperature or cold.

Tip: You can vary what you add to the salad to use what is seasonal. You can also increase the protein by adding chickpeas, barlotti beans, nuts and seeds to the salad. For the dressing, you can use half fresh squeezed lemon and orange juice for a different flavour and add some lemon zest for extra zing.

Ingredients