Basmati Rice with Salsa Verde

After so much chocolate yesterday this rice with salsa verde is in order. Full of seeds and toasted almonds, all components can be made ahead and it's super versatile. It is the perfect rice salad for a light lunch, a buffet table or even to take to work. 

That psychedelic green comes from the turmeric that I cook my rice in. It really pops, doesn't it?. And it adds another layer of healthy flavor. We all know turmeric is good for us.

The salsa verde is amazing on its own and lasts quite a while in the fridge, but combined with the basmati rice it's heavenly. Really.

Basmati rice

It's fragrant, long-grain rice used a lot in Asian and Indian cuisines.

It has a flavor all its own, very different from regular rice, more like jasmine rice (one of my favorites of all times, btw). It comes in white and brown. 

But basmati is probably the most versatile, hard to mess with, and compatible with all those Middle Eastern and spicy dishes we all love (yes, I'm sure you love them too).

Photo credit: @pixabay

Salsa verde

Verde means green in Spanish and there are as many recipes called salsa verde as there are different hues of the color.

Today's recipe is my favorite.

It comes together in no time, or the time the blender takes. I use my hand blender because I don't make a large amount and the big blender is a pain to wash, too much trouble.

A few green ingredients, some olive oil, and you got yourself a yummy salsa verde that can be used in other grain salads, for pasta, or even cold chicken. 

Adding crunch

Finish this rice salad with a layer of crunchiness that takes it up several notches.

• Sliced almonds - they add a crunch unlike any other nut in my opinion. But use chopped almonds if that's all you have or even pecans. 
• Turmeric - I put it directly into the rice water at the beginning, but it stained my white colander (I know!) so now I add it after the rice is done. Or to the salsa verde. You can skip it too.
• Seeds - sesame and sunflower, lightly toasted add a fantastic flavor. 

The main idea here is the basmati rice together with the salsa. Together they are dynamite. A great addition to your next spring lunch or anywhere a little color and flavor is welcome.

Make-ahead

• Cook the rice, drain and keep covered in the refrigerator until needed. 
• The same goes for the salsa verde. Put it in a glass jar and add a thin layer of oil on top before closing to keep it vibrant for a longer time. 

I keep the cooked rice, the salsa, and the garnishes separated and put them together at the last minute. It is fresher and crunchier that way.

Other recipes you might like:
Cinnamon Rice Pudding
Roasted Butternut Squash and Wild Rice Casserole
Spinach Lemon Pesto
Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Dip

Let me know if you make this recipe! I’d love to hear what you think about it.
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Basmati Rice with Salsa Verde

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Basmati Rice with Salsa Verde is full of seeds and toasted almonds, all components can be made ahead and it's super versatile. It's the perfect rice salad for a light lunch, a buffet table or even to take to work.

*I use turmeric to cook the rice (it gives it that yellow green hue), but it stains a bit, so you might want to omit it or add it after the rice is cooked.

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 2-4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the salsa:

Keep in mind that the quantities are not exact, that's why I talk about bunch and medium sized. Adapt to your personal taste.

• 1 bunch arugula (clean and dry)
• 1 medium green onion
• ½ cup fresh parsley
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves
• 4-5 green olives (pitted)
• 2 tbs mayonnaise
• Olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the rice:

• 2 cups uncooked basmati rice
• ½ teaspoon turmeric (optional, see notes)
• ¼ cup sliced almonds (toasted)
• 2 Tbs sunflower seeds (lightly toasted)
• 1 Tbs sesame seeds (lightly toasted)
• 2 Tbs chopped green onions
• Fresh parsley (chopped)

Instructions

For the salsa:

1. In a processor put chopped arugula, chopped green onion (only white and light green parts), coarsely chopped parsley and basil, mashed olives, and mayonnaise.
2. Add olive oil, about ¼ cup and start to process. Add more oil if it’s dry until you have a creamy salsa.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Keep covered in a jar in the fridge with a thin layer of olive oil on top.

For the rice:

1. Cook basmati rice according to package direction with salt and turmeric if using. Drain, transfer to a large bowl, drizzle with some olive oil, mix and let cool.
2. Mix with salsa verde to taste.
3. Add almonds, seeds and green onions, a drizzle of olive oil, fresh parsley and some black pepper.

Notes

Sliced almonds - they add a crunch unlike any other nut in my opinion. But use chopped almonds if that's all you have or even pecans.

Turmeric - I put it directly into the rice water at the beginning, but it stained my white colander (I know!) so now I add it after the rice is done. Or to the salsa verde. You can skip it too.

Seeds - sesame and sunflower, lightly toasted add a fantastic flavor.

Make-ahead

• Cook the rice, drain and keep covered in the refrigerator until needed.
• The same goes for the salsa verde. Put it in a glass jar and add a thin layer of oil on top before closing to keep it vibrant for a longer time.

• Author: Paula Montenegro
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Grains - Side dishes
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: International

Keywords: rice with salsa verde