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Mediterranean Rice Salad

A bright and simple salad made with warm rice, sweet currants, and fresh herbs, perfect for family dinners or picnics.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 230
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients
  • 450 g SunRice microwaveable brown rice
  • 1/4 cup currants
  • 1/4 cup mint, chopped
  • 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
  • 2 spring onion spring onion, finely chopped
  • 1 Lebanese cucumber Lebanese cucumber, deseeded and finely chopped small
  • 1 large tomato, deseeded and finely chopped
  • 1/4 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1/4 tsp chilli flakes
  • 1/2 tsp dried coriander leaves
  • 1/4 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
Dressing Ingredients
  • 2 tbs olive oil
  • 3 tbs lemon juice
  • 1 tbs honey
  • 1/4 tsp salt
Garnish
  • 2 tbs slivered almonds to serve
  • 1 tbs mint, chopped to serve
  • 1 tbs parsley, chopped to serve
  • 2 tbs currants to serve

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat the rice as per instructions and pour into a large bowl to cool slightly.
  2. Place all the dressing ingredients in a small jug and lightly whisk with a fork. Set aside.
Mixing
  1. To the rice, add 1/4 cup parsley, mint, currants, and slivered almonds. Add spring onions. Mix in the dressing gently.
Serving
  1. Put the mixture into a serving bowl or deep plate.
  2. Press the centre of the rice mixture down slightly and top with mixed cucumber and tomato in the centre.
  3. Scatter the remaining ingredients on top and serve.

Notes

Serve this salad slightly warm or at room temperature. It makes a lovely picnic dish — hearty enough to travel, bright enough to feel special. If it seems dry after chilling, stir in a splash of olive oil and a little extra lemon juice before serving. Toast the slivered almonds lightly for added crunch.