ARTICHOKE RICE SALAD WITH SHRIMP

Artichoke Rice Salad with Shrimp image

Provided by Christine Whisenhunt

Categories Seafood

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 family size pkgs. chicken flavor rice-a-roni
2 (6-oz.) jars marinated artichoke hearts, chopped, reserve juice
1 c green olives
1 c mayonnaise
6-8 green onions, chopped, white and green parts
1 + 2 tsp curry powder
salt and pepper, to taste
1 lb small or medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

Steps:

1. Brown the rice in about a tbsp. of olive oil, then add the amount of water called for on the pkgs. along with the seasoning pkts. ONLY (No butter or additional oil) and finish cooking as per pkg. instructions. Set aside.
2. Rinse and drain the shrimp. Then toss them in about 2 tsp. curry powder and saute them in a pan barely coated in olive oil until they are about half cooked and then turned them and added a little water (just to cover bottom of pan) to finish cooking. Don't overcook! Set aside.
3. For the dressing: Mix the mayo, artichoke juice, salt and pepper to taste, and the other tsp. of curry powder together. (I love curry, so I add more, probably twice this much, maybe even more! I sometimes also add 1-2 tbsps. of the olive juice to the dressing.)
4. Add the green onions, artichoke hearts, green olives and shrimp to the rice and toss. (I often add additional artichokes and olives. I like a lot of goodies in mine.)
5. Pour the dressing over the rice mixture and toss to coat. Don't over mix or rice will become very clumpy.
6. I serve this warm or cold. It is wonderful either way. And, the leftovers are just as good or better the next day. Enjoy!