Best Beth Elons Italian Rice Salad Recipes

BETH ELON'S ITALIAN RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Bring enough water to cook the rice to a boil in a large saucepan and add about a teapoon of salt.
• Add the rice, and cook until al dente, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
• Drain well.
• While the rice is cooking, whisk the vinegar and 2 tablespoons of the oil together.
• While the rice is still warm, mix in the dressing and set aside.
• Heat some of the remaining oil in a small pan.
• Beat the egg and add to make a thin omelet, moving in the sides of the firmed egg as it cooks to allow firming without turning over.
• When the omelet is fully cooked, remove from flame and chop into small pieces.
• Season with salt and freshly ground pepper and add to the seasoned rice.
• Add the diced chicken, the peas, the chopped onion and parsley to the rice and, with two forks, mix well.
• If the salad seems too dry, add some more olive oil.
• Taste, and season with some more salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Serve at room temperature on a bed of salad, surrounded by the tomato wedges.

INSALATA DI RISO (ITALIAN RICE SALAD)

Steps:

• Combine water, rice, carrot, peas, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until rice is tender but still firm to the bite, about 14 minutes. Drain excess water; let cool, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Mix prosciutto cotto, Swiss cheese, button mushrooms, corn, green olives, black olives, pickle, artichoke hearts, olive oil, thyme, and oregano together in a large bowl. Stir in cooled rice mixture. Fold tuna into the salad.
• Divide salad among 4 serving plates; garnish with hard-boiled eggs. Chill before serving, at least 30 minutes.

THE WORLD OF RICE SALADS

Steps:

• Put the rice and all the vegetables in a large bowl. Drizzle with vinaigrette and use two big forks to combine, fluffing the rice and tossing gently to separate the grains.
• Stir in the parsley, taste, and adjust the seasoning or moisten with a little more dressing. Serve at room temperature or refrigerate for up to a day, bringing the salad back to room temperature before serving.
• Variations:
• Rice Salad, Japanese Style: Use brown or white short-grain rice. Halve the amount of celery and carrot and finely chop them or shred them on a grater. Add 1 cup cubed firm tofu (preferably baked). Instead of the vinaigrette, toss with 1/4 cup or so of Simple Miso Dipping Sauce (made by whisking together 6 tablespoons miso paste, 3/4 cup warm water or sake, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 tablespoon mirin or honey, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar plus more to taste, and salt to taste). Instead of the parsley, crumble 2 sheets of nori over the rice salad and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons black or white sesame seeds.
• Rice Salad, Mexican Style: Long-grain or medium-grain, white or brown, all work well here. When blending the vinaigrette, add 1 tablespoon chili powder and 2 tablespoons Mexican crema or mayonnaise. Instead of celery and carrot, add 1 cup chopped fresh tomato. Substitute chopped fresh cilantro for the parsley and, at the same time, add 2 chopped hard-cooked eggs and chopped jalapeño chiles if you like. Serve with lime wedges.
• Rice Salad, Indian Style: Use brown or white basmati rice. When making the vinaigrette, use rice wine vinegar, replace the oil with coconut milk, and add 1 tablespoon curry powder, or more to taste. Instead of the bell pepper, celery, and carrot, add 1/2 cup each cubed cooked potato, cooked cauliflower florets, and green peas (cooked frozen are fine). Substitute cilantro for the parsley.
• Citrus Rice Salad: Use any rice. Instead of red wine vinegar, make the vinaigrette with freshly squeezed citrus juice-choose from lemon, lime, orange, blood orange, tangerine, pink grapefruit, or a combination. Whatever you use, add 2 tablespoons of the grated zest and 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey to the blender. Do not include the scallion or the vegetables. (You might want to use a little less dressing.) Instead of the parsley, use mint if you like. A handful of chopped almonds or pecans make a nice addition.
• Tomato Rice Salad: Use any kind of brown or white rice. When making the vinaigrette, eliminate the vinegar and add 1 medium tomato to the blender. Instead of the scallion and other vegetables, add 2 cups chopped fresh tomato (a mixture of heirloom varieties is nice).Instead of the parsley, use chopped fresh basil or mint, or 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives, chervil, dill, or about a tablespoon of fresh thyme leaves.

ITALIAN RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Combine first 8 ingredients and toss together.
• Mix garlic powder with salad dressing and pour over rice mixture.
• Cover and refrigerate.
• Better next day as this salad needs to marinate.