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O boy! Do I have the easiest most amazing saffron rice salad for you for dinner tonight!
I’m not going to lie… I made this vegan salad the other night as a way to use up what I had in my fridge and it turned out to be a gluten- and dairy-free masterpiece. My family loved it, but that doesn’t come as too much of a surprise. They’d eat a sock if it was covered in hummus.
Simple rice is tossed with creamy hummus then jazzed up with pecans, dried cherries, asparagus, saffron, scallions, cilantro and pretty lettuce leaves. If you can believe it, this recipe can be whipped up in less than 5 minutes is you make the rice ahead of time (say, the night before).
Easy, right? Told ya it was simple.
It’s great for a weeknight dinner and leftovers taste twice as good the next day.
O ya and toss in a bit of fresh lemon zest while you’re at it.
When in doubt, add lemon zest, sea salt and crushed red pepper flakes.
That, folks, is the secret to my easy ‘clean’ cooking.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup uncooked rice
- 1/2 tsp. saffron threads
- 4 Tbsp. Sabra Traditional Hummus
- 1 bundle fresh asparagus cut into 1/2 inch pieces and ends removed
- 2 scallions thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1/6 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup dried cherries
- 1/3 cup pecans
- 3 cups mixed salad greens
Instructions
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Cook rice according to package directions. Add in saffron threads 5 minutes into cooking.
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Remove from heat, add in asparagus pieces and mix well to combine. Cover and set aside for 10-15 minutes.
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In a large bowl, combine rice mixture with humus. Add scallions, cilantro, sea salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, dried cherries and pecans; gently toss to combine.
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Serve rice mixture amongst six plates atop a bed of fresh salad greens.
Yum!
I love salads, but have never bought saffron threads or even tasted them. I do love organicgirl salad boxes! We only get a couple in alaska, I’ve never seen the boxed kale, which I would love!
Oh wow, everything I normally love to eat in different meals all in one salad? Yum!
Yum-o! Yes please!!!!
Gorgeous! I have read several times that mixing rice with a legume creates a perfect protein, so I think your hummus/chickpeas with the rice boost the protein in this fab salad!
I love salad, I’m gonna try this one!
Thanks for the giveaway
Recipe looks fabulous! One that is definitely on my list to try. Thanks for the Organic Girl giveaway….love their product!
Looks delicious! Thanks for the giveaway!
Looks like another great recipe from Te Healthy Apple!
Love this Organic Girl giveaway….best giveaway yet..IMO
looks awesome!
Looks delicious!
Yum! I will have to try this! I love the saffron and all of the pretty colors. I bet its filling, too. And what a GREAT giveaway!!
I love the use-whatever-is-in-your-fridge recipes! I would love to try this with Organic Girl salad mixes. Thank you!
I think if there is one thing that can make anything over the top delicious, it’s pecans! I can’t keep them in the house! I really love that you provide nutrition information as well.
LOVE this recipe!! I think I’m going to try it with quinoa — love that in a salad!! INSPIRED!
Love this! Our kitchen stays stocked with organic greens too. 🙂
You had me at organic. Can’t wait to try this. 😀
Amie, eating in Burlington, Vermont this weekend (about the best place to live healthy and organic in the USA) has given me renewed vigor in meal planning and preparation! Ever been to City Market there? Local and fresh incredible! You would love it!
Meals like your salad become possible and ingredients are easy to find at the height of freshness there!
Thanks Mary; I’ve never been there but sounds amazing!!!
Looks luscious! Would a great way to start the day or as part of an eveing meal. I might switch out the rice with farro or quinoa for an added protein boost.
I live using Saffron in recipes and this one looks DELISH!