Japanese rice salad

The Japanese rice salad is a great vegetarian lunch or perfect side with a dinner of grilled fish. Serve at room temperature rather than from the refrigerator. 

JAPANESE RICE SALAD

Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time : 30mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

Dressing

• 2 tbsp of soy sauce or tamarin
• 2 tbsp of mirin
• 1 tbsp of sesame oil
• 2 tsp of caster sugar
• 2 tsp of fresh ginger, grated
• 1 clove of garlic, grated or crushed
• 60ml / 3 tbsp of water

Salad

• 2 cups of brown rice
• 2 sticks of celery, finely diced
• 4 cups of spinach
• ½ nori sheet, crushed
• 1 tbsp of crispy fried shallots
• chilli flakes, to serve

Method

1. To make the dressing combine all the ingredients and set aside.
2. To cook the rice, bring a large sauce pan of water to the boil add the rice and cook for 20 mins or according to the packet instructions.
3. When the rice is cooked, drain in a colander and place in a bowl. Stir though half the dressing – the grains are hot so they will absorb all the flavour of the dressing .
4. Allow the rice to cool to room temperature and add the diced celery and spinach, place in a serving bowl and and sprinkle with crushed nori sheets, crispy fried shallots and chilli flakes.

TIP
If you can get hold of the brand Forbidden Brown Rice it is a great product for this dish.