CITRUS RICE SALAD WITH PARMESAN

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Citrus Rice Salad With Parmesan image

In all of American cooking there is probably no term less meaningful than "salad." I'm racking my brain for a way to narrow the definition, but the best I can do is a dictionary-like "mixture of food, usually cold or at room temperature, with some kind of dressing." That's not saying much, but it opens a world of opportunities, especially when the base ingredient is rice, which offers a far wider variety of flavors and textures than any other grain.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories     dinner, lunch, salads and dressings, main course, side dish

Time 1h

Yield 4 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 1/2 to 2 cups any rice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed citrus juice, or more to taste (lemon, lime, orange, tangerine, grapefruit, or a combination)
2 tablespoons grated citrus zest
1 tablespoon sugar or honey
1 cup chopped citrus flesh (or whole segments, if small)
1/2 large red or mild white onion, minced
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
1/2 cup or more grated Parmesan
Chopped almonds or pecans, optional

Steps:

  • Cook rice in abundant salted water, as you would pasta, until it's just done; white rice will take 10 to 15 minutes, brown 30 or a little longer. Drain, rinse in cold water, drain again, then put in a large bowl.
  • Combine olive oil, citrus juice, zest, sugar or honey, salt and pepper in a blender and turn the machine on; a creamy emulsion will form within 30 seconds. Taste and add more citrus juice a teaspoon or two at a time until the balance tastes right to you.
  • Drizzle vinaigrette over rice. Use 2 big forks to combine, fluffing rice and tossing gently to separate grains. Stir in citrus flesh, onion and mint; taste, and adjust the seasoning or moisten with a little more dressing. Serve, sprinkled with Parmesan and chopped nuts, at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to a day, bringing salad back to room temperature before serving.

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