Herby Rice Salad with Market Vegetables

Who said salads have to be made up of greens? We think flavour, texture, and fill are the makings of a great salad and this Herby Rice Salad with Market Vegetables checks all those boxes!  This recipe comes to us from our friend Ashley Cuoco in partnership with The FeedFeed and USA Rice.

Overhead view of herby rice salad with vegetables on a white platter




Yield
Makes 6 servings
Prep Time
13 min
Cook Time
21 min
Total Time
34 min


Ingredients

Rice & Vegetables: 

  • 2 cups cooked U.S.-grown Basmati
  • ¼ cups seasoned breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup of almond slivers
  • 2 zucchinis halved lengthwise & cut into 1-2′ slices
  • 2 tomatoes, quartered
  • 6 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
  • ½ cup micro  pea shoots
  • ¼ cup scallions (white and green parts only), thinly sliced

Herb-Shallot Vinaigrette:

  • 1 ½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • ½ small shallot, finely minced 
  • ½ teaspoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon fresh basil, finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon agave or cane sugar
  • ½ tablespoon coarse Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • season with kosher salt & freshly ground pepper

Directions

  1. In a large serving bowl whisk vinegar, shallot, herbs, agave, mustard, Worcestershire, salt and pepper. Anchor your bowl with a kitchen towel and slowly drizzle in ¼ cup olive oil, continuously whisking until incorporated.
  2. Preheat oven to 350F. Spread breadcrumbs and almonds evenly onto a baking sheet. Bake about 6 minutes, tossing with a spoon and turning pan halfway through cooking time, until golden and fragrant.
  3. Brush zucchini, tomatoes and garlic cloves with olive oil. Sprinkle all sides with a few generous pinches of salt. Heat a grill basket or cast iron-grill pan over medium heat. Cook zucchini and tomatoes (in batches, if necessary) until tender and charred, about 3 minutes per side. Add garlic for the last 3 minutes of cooking time.
  4. Add rice, roasted vegetables, breadcrumbs and almonds to serving bowl with vinaigrette. Toss well to coat in dressing. Top with pea shoots and scallions to serve.