Arborio Rice Salad With Cucumber And Mint Food

SPRING VEGETABLE RICE SALAD (INSALATA DI RISO)

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rice, stir, and adjust heat to maintain a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally to prevent any grains from sticking to the pot, until the rice is just barely done, about 15 minutes. It will continue to cook as it cools. Drain the rice well and spread it out on a tray to cool quickly.
• Bring another large pot of salted water to a boil. Holding an asparagus spear in both hands, bend the spear until it breaks naturally at the point where it becomes tough. Repeat with the remaining spears. Discard the tough ends and cut the tender part into 1/3-inch lengths. Blanch asparagus and peas together in the boiling water for 1 minute and 30 seconds, then lift out with a strainer and transfer to a paper towel lined baking sheet to cool.
• Shell the fava beans, then blanch the unpeeled beans in the same boiling water for about 3 minutes. Drain, transfer them to a paper towel lined baking sheet to cool. Peel the fava beans by pinching open the loose skin; the peeled bean should slip out easily.
• Put the lemon juice in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in the olive oil.
• In a large bowl, combine the cooled rice, asparagus, peas, fava beans, basil, parsley, lemon zest, ham and cheese. Toss with your hands to blend. Pour the dressing over the salad (you may not need it all) and toss gently. Taste and adjust seasoning.

ARBORIO RICE SALAD WITH CUCUMBER AND MINT

Steps:

• To a kettle of boiling salted water add the rice, stirring, return the water to a boil, stirring, and boil the rice, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes, or until it is tender. Drain the rice in a large colander or sieve, rinse it under cold water until it is cooled, and drain it well. Transfer the rice to a large bowl. The rice may be cooked 3 days in advance and kept covered and chilled.
• In a bowl whisk together the vinegar, the lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste, add the oil in a stream, whisking, and whisk the dressing until it is emulsified. To the rice add the dressing, the cucumber, and the mint, toss the salad well, and serve it with the radishes. The salad may be made several hours in advance and kept covered and chilled.

RICE SALAD WITH CUCUMBER, LEMON AND SCALLION

Steps:

• Combine the lemon rind and lemon juice in a large salad bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil and add the salt and pepper. Set aside. Cut the cucumbers into half-moon slices, 1/2 inch thick. Add the cucumber slices and scallions to the lemon vinaigrette. Toss.
• Cook the rice in water according to the directions on the package. When tender but still firm, remove from heat. Place in a colander and chill briefly under cold running water until the rice is at room temperature. Drain well. Add the rice to the salad bowl. Toss. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. This can be made up to 24 hours ahead of time.

RICE SALAD WITH TOMATOES, CUCUMBERS, AND FETA

Steps:

• Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high. Swirl in 2 tablespoons oil. Add onion, garlic, and 1 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer mixture to a large bowl. Return saucepan to medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon oil and rice. Cook, stirring occasionally, until nutty and golden in places, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 2 1/4 cups water; bring to a boil. Stir once, reduce heat to low, and cover. Cook until rice is tender and water has been absorbed, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, 5 minutes.
• Transfer rice to bowl with onion mixture; let cool about 20 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, cucumbers, vinegar, and remaining 1/4 cup oil. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in cheese, parsley, and mint; serve.

RICE SALAD WITH MINT

Steps:

• In wooden salad bowl combine rice with parsley, scallions, mint, oil, lemon juice, and seasonings.
• Chill.
• Just before serving, toss well.
• Add tomatoes and radishes; serve over romaine lettuce.
• NOTE: cooking time does not include time to prepare rice.

ARBORIO RICE SALAD WITH CUCUMBER AND MINT

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Place the tomatoes and tomatillos on a baking sheet. Broil, turning occasionally, until charred all over, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a sauce pan along with the remaining ingredients. Bring the mixture to boil and cook until the onions are soft, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a food processor or blender. Puree and then strain. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled. Arbol salsa can be stored in the refrigerator 3 to 5 days or frozen for weeks. Just before serving, stir in the avocado.

RISOTTO PATTIES OVER GREENS

Steps:

• Place stock in a medium saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; let simmer. Line a baking sheet with parchment; set aside.
• Coat a large straight-sided saute pan with cooking spray; place over medium heat. Add onion, and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add rice, and saute stirring, until the edges of the grains are translucent, about 1 minute. Add scallions, and cook, stirring, until bright green, about 1 minute.
• Raise heat to medium high; add 1/2 cup simmering stock to rice, and cook, stirring constantly, until nearly all of the liquid has been absorbed. Continue adding liquid, 1/2 cup at a time, and cook, stirring constantly, allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding the next. With the last addition of stock, add peas; continue cooking until rice is creamy but grains are still firm in the centers, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in dill and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Transfer risotto to a bowl, and let cool 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Form into six patties, each 3 inches in diameter. Place patties on a prepared baking sheet, and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties, and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Turn patties, and cook until brown and hot, about 5 minutes more.
• Combine vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and mint in a medium bowl; whisk to combine. Add greens; toss. Divide greens among six plates; top with rice patties. Garnish with dill; serve.

CUCUMBER AND TOMATO SALAD WITH CILANTRO AND MINT

Steps:

• Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl; toss, and serve.

PARMESAN-BLACK PEPPER ARBORIO RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Heat butter and oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; saute until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add rice; stir to coat. (Can turn off heat and let stand several hours.)
• Add broth, cover, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until stock is absorbed and rice is creamy and soft with a little "chew" at the center, about 12 minutes. Stir in cheese and pepper; add salt, if necessary. Serve hot.

ARBORIO RICE ITALIAN SALAD

Steps:

• Bring 3 C of salted water to boil in heavy saucepan with tight fitting lid. Add butter and rice. Stir while boiling for 1 minute. Cover and reduce heat to simmer. Cook rice undisturbed for 18-20 minute Fluff and allow to cool.
• While rice is cooling, blanch the broccoli, toast the pine nuts and chop the other ingredients.
• Transfer the rice and all ingredients to a serving bowl and toss to coat. Best served at room temp but can also be chilled.
• Play with the ingredients to your liking.

GREEK RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Bring the brown rice and water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed, 45 to 50 minutes; remove from heat and allow to cool, fluffing occasionally with a fork.
• Toss the avocado and lemon juice together in a large bowl. Add the tomatoes, cucumber, onion, feta, olives, mint, olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, salt, and pepper to the bowl; lightly toss the mixture until evenly combined. Fold the cooled rice gently into the mixture. Serve immediately or chill up to 1 hour; the salad does not last well for more than a day as the tomato and cucumber begin to release their juices and the salad becomes watery.