Recipe: Italian Rice Salad

This Italian Rice Salad recipe is one I adapted from a recipe my Mother used to make. It’s another quick and easy recipe.. a perfect side dish to accompany grilled meats, sandwiches and also a perfect add-on to a salad bar or buffet.

My Mother’s recipe was very simple… rice, carrots and peas and Italian dressing… I added sliced black olives, chopped tomatoes and grated Parmesan cheese. She served it cold… which I do sometimes also.. but I prefer the salad to be warm… it seems to bring out the flavors.

TIPS

You can use any Italian dressing you prefer… creamy or oil based… homemade or store bought… I used Kraft Fat Free Zesty Italian Dressing.

Roma tomatoes are best.. but you can use other varieties as well.

You don't have to thaw the carrots and peas, just cook them with the rice.

Any cooked rice will work… I used Minute Rice. If using a different rice, cook the rice according to the package directions.

Try it.. you’ll like it.






Recipe: Italian Rice Salad

All you need:

1 cup Minute Rice (uncooked)
1 cup water
¾ cup frozen carrots and peas
1 small can sliced black olives
1 Roma tomato, cut up
¼ cup Italian dressing (or to taste)
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

All you have to do:

Combine uncooked rice, water and carrots and peas in a microwaveable dish. Cook on high for 6-8 minutes or until rice is cooked and all the water is absorbed. (Times will vary by microwave ovens).. I cooked mine for 7 minutes.

Allow to cool.

Add remaining ingredients and stir well.