brown rice salad with citrus thai basil vinaigrette 4961
Argentina Motsinger
Ingredients
- Brown Rice - 2 cups
- Cherry Tomatoes, halved - 1 cup
- Red Bell Pepper, diced - 1/2 cup
- Cucumber, diced - 1/2 cup
- Carrot, julienned - 1/4 cup
- Orange Slices - 1 orange
- Lime Zest and Juice - 1 lime
- Thai Basil Leaves, roughly chopped - 1/4 cup
- Red Onion, thinly sliced - 1/4 cup
- Avocado, diced - 1/2 avocado
- Sesame Seeds - 1 tablespoon (for garnish)
- Salt to taste
- Black Pepper to taste
SEO-friendly keywords:
- Brown Rice Salad Recipe
- Citrus Thai Basil Vinaigrette
- Healthy Salad Ingredients
- Low-Carb Salad Options
- Quick Vegetable Salads
Steps
### How to Make a Flavorful Brown Rice Salad with Citrus Thai Basil Vinaigrette
#### Ingredients:
- **Brown Rice:** 1 cup (uncooked)
- **Vegetables:**
- Cherry Tomatoes: 1 pint, halved
- Red Onion: 1/4 small, thinly sliced
- Cucumber: 1 medium, diced
- Avocado: 1 medium, diced
- Bell Peppers (Yellow or Red): 2, diced
- **Citrus Thai Basil Vinaigrette:**
- Fresh Lime Juice: 3 tbsp
- Fresh Orange Juice: 2 tbsp
- Fish Sauce: 1 tsp
- Honey: 1 tbsp
- Sriracha: 1 tsp (adjust to taste)
- Garlic Clove: 1, minced
- Thai Basil Leaves: 8-10 fresh, chopped
#### Equipment:
- Large pot for rice
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or fork for vinaigrette
### Detailed Steps:
#### Step 1: Cook the Brown Rice
1. **Rinse and Drain:** Rinse 1 cup of brown rice with cold water until the water runs clear.
2. **Cooking:** Add the rinsed rice to a large pot, then fill it with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat.
3. **Simmer:** Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 40-45 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed.
4. **Rest:** Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
#### Step 2: Prepare the Salad Vegetables
1. **Cherry Tomatoes:** Halve cherry tomatoes and set aside.
2. **Red Onion:** Thinly slice the red onion and gently toss in a small bowl of water to prevent browning.
3. **Cucumber:** Dice the cucumber into small pieces.
4. **Avocado & Bell Peppers:** Dice an avocado and dice yellow or red bell peppers.
#### Step 3: Make the Citrus Thai Basil Vinaigrette
1. **Combine Ingredients:** In a bowl, whisk together fresh lime juice, orange juice, fish sauce, honey, sriracha, and minced garlic.
2. **Fold in Thai Basil:** Stir in chopped Thai basil leaves until well combined.
#### Step 4: Assemble the Salad
1. **Layer Vegetables:** In a large mixing bowl, add cooked brown rice, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, diced cucumber, diced avocado, and diced bell peppers.
2. **Dress the Salad:** Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the salad and gently toss to combine.
#### Step 5: Serve
1. **Chill Before Serving:** Let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving to allow flavors to meld together.
2. **Presentation:** Garnish with additional fresh Thai basil leaves or sliced almonds if desired.
### Tips and Variations:
- *Add Protein:* Include grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a heartier meal.
- *Customize Spiciness:* Adjust the amount of sriracha according to your preference.
- *Make Ahead:* Prepare this salad up to 24 hours in advance for best flavor.