Rice Salad with Dried Fruit

Rice salad with dried fruit is a fresh and nutritious dish, perfect for summer or as a single dish for a quick but balanced lunch. Here is an Italian recipe to prepare a rice salad with dried fruit.

Ingredients

• 250 g long-grain or parboiled rice
• 50 g raisins
• 30 g pine nuts
• 30 g flaked almonds
• 30 g coarsely chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• A few fresh basil leaves (optional)
• Grated zest of 1 lemon (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by soaking the raisins in warm water for about 10 minutes, then drain and squeeze them well.
2. Cook the rice in plenty of salted water following the times indicated on the package to achieve al dente cooking. Once cooked, drain it, rinse under cold running water, and transfer it to a large bowl to cool completely.
3. While the rice cools, lightly toast the pine nuts and almonds in a non-stick pan without adding oil, until they turn golden, stirring often to prevent burning.
4. Add the squeezed raisins, pine nuts, almonds, walnuts, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper to the rice.
5. If desired, add chopped fresh basil and grated lemon zest for an extra touch of freshness.
6. Mix all the ingredients well to combine and let the rice salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving, so the flavors can meld nicely.

Trivia

Rice salad is an extremely versatile dish and you can vary the dried fruit according to availability or your personal preferences. In Italy, it is common to take rice salad to the beach or on picnics, prepared in advance and enjoyed fresh.

If you want to keep an Italian style, I recommend pairing this rice salad with a nice glass of fresh white wine, such as a Pinot Grigio or a Vermentino. Enjoy your meal!