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Cold Rice with Parsley Pesto and Seafood

17/11/2023

I can guide you in preparing a delicious Cold Rice with Parsley Pesto and Seafood, a fresh and tasty variant of the classic seafood risotto, perfect for hot days or as a single dish for a summer lunch.

Ingredients

  • 300 g of rice for salads (such as Orzo or Basmati)
  • 200 g of mixed seafood (mussels, clams, shrimp, squid)
  • 1 bunch of fresh parsley
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 30 g of pine nuts (or almonds if you prefer)
  • 60 ml of extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 chili pepper (optional)

Preparation

  1. Start with cooking the rice. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rice according to the times indicated on the package to achieve an al dente texture. Drain and rinse it under cold running water, then let it cool completely.

  2. While the rice cools, prepare the seafood. If using frozen seafood, thaw it before use. In a pan, cook the seafood with a drizzle of oil and a peeled clove of garlic. If desired, you can add a splash of white wine and let it evaporate. Cook until they are well opened and cooked, then let cool.

  3. Now prepare the parsley pesto. In a blender, add the parsley leaves, pine nuts (or almonds), the peeled garlic clove, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and the chili if you want it spicy. Blend everything until you get a creamy and homogeneous sauce.

  4. In a large salad bowl, combine the cold rice with the parsley pesto, mixing well to season the rice evenly.

  5. Add the now cold seafood to the rice and mix gently to avoid breaking the mollusks and crustaceans. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.

  6. Let your cold rice with parsley pesto and seafood rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This will allow the flavors to intensify and blend well.

There you have it, your Cold Rice with Parsley Pesto and Seafood is ready to be enjoyed!

Fun Facts

This dish combines the fresh and aromatic flavor of parsley pesto, which is a less known but equally tasty variant of the classic Genoese pesto, with the richness of seafood, characteristic of Mediterranean cuisine. The cold rice is an ideal choice for the hot months, as it is refreshing and can be prepared in advance.