| There are many types of rice salad. In general, | | | | - 3 scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal |
| rice salad has a thin dressing, rice, and vegetables | | | | - 3 Tablespoons Japanese pickled ginger, drained, |
| combined. You may have something simple like | | | | sliced and coarsely chopped |
| white rice, cucumbers, and vinaigrette, or you can | | | | - 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted |
| have something more complex with sun-dried | | | | - 1 avocado |
| tomatoes, walnuts, papaya and feta cheese. You | | | | - 8 fresh shiso leaves (optional) |
| can combine almost anything together in a rice | | | | - 1 (6 inch) square toasted nori, cut into thin strips |
| salad that you want. | | | | with scissors How to Make It |
| Wild rice is also used to make tasty salads, often | | | | Rinse the rice in several changes of cold water |
| combined with meat of some kind, sweet grapes, | | | | until the water runs clear. Drain in a colander for |
| nuts and a light dressing. Rice salads can be made | | | | 30 minutes. |
| ahead of time, but reserve most of the dressing | | | | Place rice and 1-3/4 cups of water in a saucepan |
| until just before serving so the rice does not get | | | | and bring it to a boil. Cover and simmer for two |
| mushy. | | | | minutes. Remove the rice from the heat and let it |
| This recipe is a little different. It uses sweet rice, | | | | stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Do not lift the lid. |
| also known as sushi rice. You can find it in Asian | | | | While the rice finishes, bring the vinegar, sugar, |
| markets. Sushi rice is sticky when it is cooked and | | | | and salt just to a boil in a very small saucepan. |
| it has a slightly sweet flavor. The rest of the | | | | Stir it constantly until the sugar dissolves |
| ingredients are commonly used in sushi dishes. | | | | completely. Let it cool 2 minutes. |
| The entire salad has a wonderful Japanese flavor. | | | | Spread the rice in a large shallow pan. Sprinkle it |
| If you like sushi, this salad will be a hit. It makes a | | | | with the vinegar mixture and toss it with a |
| wonderful lunch or even a light dinner. | | | | wooden spoon. |
| Alternatively, you can use it as a side dish. | | | | Using a vegetable peeler, shave thin lengths from |
| Recipe for Sushi Rice Salad | | | | the carrot. Cut the slices diagonally into strips 1/4 |
| This unique twist on rice salad will be an instant hit. | | | | inch wide. |
| What You Need | | | | Whisk the wasabi, the remaining 1-1/2 tablespoons |
| - 1/2 cup short grain sushi rice | | | | of water, and oil together in a bowl. Add the rice, |
| - 3/4 cup plus 1-1/2 Tablespoons water | | | | carrot, cucumber, ginger, scallions, and sesame |
| - 1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar | | | | seeds. Toss gently. |
| - 1 Tablespoon sugar | | | | Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and peel |
| - 1 teaspoon salt | | | | it. Cut crosswise into slices 1/4 inch thick. |
| - 1 medium carrot | | | | Arrange 2 shiso leaves (if you are using them) on |
| - 1-1/4 teaspoons wasabi paste | | | | each of 4 plates. Top with the avocado and rice |
| - 1-1/2 Tablespoons vegetable oil | | | | mixture and sprinkle with nori strips. |
| - 1/2 large seedless cucumber, peeled, halved, | | | | Serves 4. |
| cored and chopped | | | | |