An Easy Rice Salad

Salads are one of the easiest summer meals to make for a lunch or dinner. Yet greens can get boring. Macaroni is the same. Try something different like a rice salad. It's really an easy make and it can be customized to suit tastes.

I decided ti try it after being bored with the usual salad choices. Brown rice is more colorful and nutritious than white. I used Acme's Signature brand.

I used three cups of it and three cups of water to make six servings.

It was boiled,

Then put into a large bowl to cool in the fridge. I let it sit for an hour but for a colder, more refreshing rice try to make it about three hours before serving, Also DO NOT keep the freshly cooked rice out for more than four hours.It can attract bacteria which will cause salmonella - or food poisoning.

The fun part comes with what you put in.

I used sliced Roma tomatoes  along with diced  orange and yellow bell peppers,  red kidney beans and sliced black olives. For more flavoring I used a generous amount about a teaspoon of onion powder along with a large dousing of garlic salt. You could add diced garlic if you want a fresher flavor. Half a cup of olive oil was added along with a teaspoon of red wine vinegar.

It was a flavorful bowl of all sorts of tastes and textures.

What's good with this is that you can add what you want. it would be good with leftover chicken or pepperoni slices. You could add almonds or broccoli for an Oriental vibe. Feta cheese and kalamata olives can give a Greek feel. Have fun with it. It's easily stored and you can have it either for lunch or dinner the next day.

A rice salad is a nice way to beat the heat with easy cooking. Make up a big bowl for a tasty lunch or dinner. Then enjoy this cool and filling alternative to a traditional greens or macaroni salad.