Fruits, Nuts, Beans and Rice Salad
A complete healthy meal in a bowl; a blend of wild and brown rice combined with beans, fruits and nuts and tossed in an orange ginger sesame vinaigrette.
This salad happened to be our lunch one particular day. I did not plan to post this, but after I made it, the colors looked so festive and right for the season – I changed my mind. I have used the beans that the I had won from Susan’s MLLA (hosted by Sia). Thanks Hurst for the wonderful collection of the beans and thanks Susan for all the gifts that you have sent me.
Presented here is a simple salad or a side dish with festive colors and summer flavor. The vibrant colors and flavors make it perfect side/salad with anything grilled.(It is free style salad; go ahead use your own fruits, nuts, grains and dressings.)
Fruits, Nuts, Beans and Rice Salad
Ingredients
- 1/4 Cup Wild Rice Mix
- 1/2 Cup Brown Rice
- 2 Cups Beans, cooked (I used the Great Northern Beans)
- 3/4 Cup Fresh Pomegranates
- 1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries
- 2 Clementines, peeled & sliced
- Walnuts and Slivered Almonds, lightly toasted
- 1/2 Cup Chopped Scallions/Green Onions
- Mint Leaves, torn
- Salt
Vinaigrette/Dressing:
- 4 Tablespoons Orange Juice
- 1.5 Teaspoons Fresh Ginger Juice
- 2.5 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Sesame Oil for Asian Flavors (I used Sesame Oil)
- 1/2 Teaspoon Sugar
- Salt
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Mint, chopped and muddled or mushed
- Red Pepper Flakes
Preparation:Wash the rice. Cook the rice in double the amount of water with salt and about a teaspoon of oil (This prevents the rice from sticking). Make sure the rice is not overcooked and mushy. If there is more water left in the pan, drain the water away.
If you are not using canned or cooked beans, soak the beans for 5-6 hours and cook till tender. I have used a pressure cooker as always.
Combine the rice and all the other fruits and nuts. Toss well.
Whisk all the ingredients of the vinaigrette. Pour it over the rice salad and toss.
Serve warm or cold as a salad or side.
A lot of texture of the whole grain rice, of the and the fruits, nuts and beans combined with the citrusy, sweet, spicy dressing and a hint and freshness of mint – it was a delightful! Will make this one again soon, maybe with different fruits and different dressing this time. Salad is sent over to ITB December (Cranberries, Clementines and Nuts) hosted by Scott of Real Epicurean.
The Rice and Bean Salad is being sent over to Susan’s MLLA #18, hosted by Srivalli this time.
Related Posts:
Peanuts and Brown Rice with Asian Dressing
Quinoa with Apricot, Asparagus and Almond
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December 20th, 2009 at 10:52 am
A beautiful salad! Very colorful and delicious looking!
Cheers,
Rosa
December 20th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Nice, that is so healthy and looks beautiful… A delight for all the sense, I’m sure
December 20th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Love the recipe, Very colourful…great picture too.
December 20th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Salad looks wonderful, with lots of good stuff in it.
December 20th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
That is such a beautiful looking salad, Soma!And the pic is just fantastic!
December 20th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Beautiful! So colourful and full of healthy ingredients.
December 20th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
beautiful salad.. Just looking at it makes me want to devour it
December 20th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Wow A colorful salad..healthy one…loved it
December 20th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I have made brown rice salad too. I prefer the brown rice in salads rather then with Indian curries. looks very delicious.
December 20th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
This salad looks very tasty…. thanks for another great recipe
December 20th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
yaar! you are ‘Queen of Salad’!
Very lovely creation Soma. 
You are so right. I guess that is all I post
well that is becoz this kind makes up our main diet; quick, easy, healthy one bowl kind.
December 20th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
This looks fantastic–I love the pomegranates here. It sounds very healthy and includes bits of so many delicious things. A great recipe.
December 20th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
This is my kind of salad and I have loads of it:). I know why one posts salads now – they look pretty and light!!
December 20th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Nice salad…I usually make with brown rice only….
December 20th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
I love the combination of fruits & nuts with rice! My daughter would definitely love this – all her favorite ingredients!
December 20th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
It is more than salad! Very fullfilling one !
December 21st, 2009 at 5:47 am
Salad freestyle, it’s the only way to do a salad in my house:-) This salad does look festive and delicious.
December 21st, 2009 at 6:33 am
I love it! So healthy and colourful.
December 21st, 2009 at 8:47 am
It looks lovely.
December 21st, 2009 at 9:02 am
Wow! Gorgeous picture! It looks delicious:)
December 21st, 2009 at 9:24 am
What a beautiful and colorful salad! Love it!
December 21st, 2009 at 4:45 pm
yay! just antoher thing to add to my list. I tried your barley salad whose pics were taken but lost and what not. I’m making it again for guests during the holiday weekend! Will post it then
And I love the Christmassy idea!
December 21st, 2009 at 5:55 pm
This looks so healthy!
December 21st, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Thats really an awesome salad! Sounds so filling and comforting!
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:47 am
What an interesting and colorful salad, I love it !
December 22nd, 2009 at 10:26 am
Wow so colorful and healthy!
December 22nd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
What a beautiful dish and so complete. That is a perfect lunch. I wish you and your family the best this season, my friend
December 23rd, 2009 at 5:16 pm
My kids would definitely love this fruity rice.
December 23rd, 2009 at 10:00 pm
I was hesitant to try wild rice before, but then i had some at out office lunch and was floored. very pretty pictures and loved the combination of rice, fruits and nuts you have going on there
January 6th, 2010 at 12:48 am
Looks great Soma..thanks!