Craving a delicious and nutritious meal that will tantalize your taste buds and boost your health? Look no further than this incredible Brown Rice Apple Salad! Imagine a perfect blend of nutty brown rice, crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, and a zesty dressing that will transform your ordinary lunch into an extraordinary culinary experience. This recipe is not just a salad – it's a flavor explosion that proves healthy eating can be both exciting and delectable!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 apple, diced
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup celery, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook brown rice according to package instructions if not already prepared. Allow rice to cool completely to room temperature, spreading it out on a large plate or baking sheet to speed cooling.
- Wash and dice the apple into small, uniform cubes approximately 1/4 inch in size. To prevent browning, you can toss the apple pieces with a small amount of lemon juice.
- Finely chop the celery into small, thin pieces to ensure even distribution throughout the salad.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled brown rice, diced apple, chopped walnuts, raisins, and chopped celery.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the rice and fruit mixture, gently tossing to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or vinegar as needed to balance flavors.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together before serving. Can be served chilled or at room temperature.
Tips
- Rice Cooling Hack: Spread your cooked brown rice on a large baking sheet to cool faster and prevent clumping. This ensures your salad has the perfect texture.
- Prevent Apple Browning: Toss your diced apples with a splash of lemon juice to keep them fresh and vibrant, maintaining that beautiful color and preventing oxidation.
- Flavor Melding Magic: While you can serve this salad immediately, letting it sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes allows the flavors to marry and intensify, creating a more complex taste profile.
- Customization Options: Feel free to swap walnuts for almonds or use dried cranberries instead of raisins to make the recipe your own.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, making it perfect for meal prep and quick lunches throughout the week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 40g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
