Curried Jasmine Rice Salad
When I’ve got a crowd to feed and a tight budget, I turn to rice salad. I love its versatility: Simply add meat or shellfish for a heartier dish, but omit them for vegetarians. Sometimes I divide the rice mixture into two serving bowls before adding meat or shellfish, reserving one for my non-meat eating friends. It’s hard to beat homemade mayonnaise, which tastes fresher and richer than the commercial stuff. I’ve included a recipe for the mayonnaise we use at Rather Sweet Bakery & Café.
Recipe information
Yield
serves at 10 to 12
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Bring the 4 cups water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; add the rice, decrease the heat to medium-low, and simmer, covered, until the water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Spoon the rice into a large bowl, fluff it with a fork, and cool for about 15 minutes.
Step 2
In a bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, chutney, curry powder, and white pepper. Stir the mayonnaise mixture into the rice along with the celery, green onions, dried cherries, and cooked meat or seafood, if you’re using it. Refrigerate the salad for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, which allows the flavors to meld and develop.
Step 3
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Arrange the almonds on a baking sheet in single layer and bake until golden, about 5 minutes; set aside. Stir in the almonds at the last minute.
variation
Step 4
For nutrition bonus points, use brown jasmine rice in this recipe. Make sure to follow cooking instructions on the package: it takes about twice as long to cook, but in return, contributes firm texture and a subtle nutty flavor.
do it early
Step 5
The rice salad can be made up to 2 days in advance, covered, and refrigerated. Stir in the almonds just before serving to keep them from getting soggy.
tip
Step 6
For a lighter dressing, use 1 1/4 cups each of mayonnaise and low-fat yogurt or reduced-fat sour cream. (I am not a big fan of nonfat yogurt or sour cream. No-fat translates—to my taste—to no flavor.)
