Crunchy Rice Salad Recipes

CRUNCHY RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Cook rice using package directions (omit salt) and let cool.
• Combine the rice, oranges, onions, celery, water chestnuts, and mushrooms in a serving bowl, tossing to mix.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, oil, and soy sauce.
• Pour dressing over rice mixture and mix gently. Chill until ready to serve.

CRISPY RICE SALAD WITH KALE

Steps:

• Fill a cast-iron pan with 1 1/2 inches oil and heat to 350 degrees F. Line a sheet tray with paper towels and set aside.
• Meanwhile, make your dressing. Combine the garlic and ginger in a large bowl. Add the Thai bird chile. Add 2 tablespoons hot oil from your cast iron into the mixture. Add the lime juice, fish sauce and sugar and whisk together. Let the mixture sit while you prepare your other ingredients.
• Add the peanuts to the hot oil and fry until they are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove and add to the dressing. Mix to coat the peanuts.
• In the same cast-iron pan, scatter the rice in the hot oil and fry until crispy and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer the fried rice to the lined sheet tray to drain.
• Add the kale, shallot, cilantro leaves and crispy rice to a large bowl and toss with the peanuts and dressing to taste. Serve immediately.

NHEM (LAOTIAN CRISPY RICE SALAD)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine coconut milk (just the thick, creamy part of the can), red curry paste, sugar, salt and grated coconut; add the rice and mix well so that the rice absorbs all the liquid.
• Form the rice mixture into tennis-sized balls and pack tightly so they do not fall apart while frying.
• Dip the balls into the egg, then dredge with cornstarch.
• Deep fry (medium high) until golden brown; let cool slightly.
• Break the balls apart into a clean bowl, gently stir, and bring to room temperature; if desired, reserve some of the crust to deep fry until crispy.
• Add the chopped Som Moo (or Spam), shallots, season with fish sauce and a little lime (some people add a little sugar too), chopped cilantro, mint, then lightly toss to combine.
• If desired, return the reserved crusts to the deep fryer until crispy, then drain on paper towels; once cooled enough to handle, crumble them onto the rice mixture or serve on the side.
• Add peanuts and toss; garnish with dried chilies.

CRUNCHY PORK AND RICE SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, toss together cabbage, pork, rice, peas and water chestnuts. In a small bowl, combine dressing ingredients; mix well. Pour over the salad and stir gently to mix. Chill for several hours.

CRUNCHY VEGETABLE AND BROWN RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a 2-quart saucepan three fourths full with salted water and bring to a boil. Add rice and boil, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 25 minutes. Drain rice in a colander and rinse under cold running water until cool. Drain rice well.
• While rice is cooking, cut zucchini, celery, carrot, and bell pepper into 1/4-inch dice. Remove tough stems from arugula and chop leaves. Chop scallions.
• Have ready a bowl of ice and cold water. In a saucepan of boiling salted water blanch zucchini, celery, carrot, and bell pepper 1 minute. Drain vegetables in a sieve and transfer to ice water to stop cooking. Drain vegetables well.
• In a large bowl whisk together lemon juice, broth, mustard, oil, salt, and pepper. Add rice, blanched vegetables, arugula, and scallions, tossing to combine well, and season with salt and pepper. Serve salad at room temperature.

BROWN RICE SALAD WITH CRUNCHY SPROUTS AND SEEDS

Steps:

• Purée chives, oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon salt in a food processor until smooth. Strain chive vinaigrette through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl.
• Cook dried sprouted legumes in a large pot of lightly salted boiling water until just tender, about 5 minutes. Cover pot; remove from heat. Let stand for 3 minutes; drain. Rinse legumes under cold water to cool; drain. Transfer to a large bowl. DO AHEAD: Vinaigrette and legumes can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately; chill.
• Add zucchini, rice, scallions, seeds, nuts, and chive vinaigrette to bowl with legumes; toss to combine. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired.