Rice salad is a great classic of the Italian summer: practice, colorful, easy to prepare in advance and to be transported to the beach or in the office. But let’s face it, after the third container, he begins to tire. Always the same condiments, always the same flavor, net of the possible variants – from the use or not of mayonnaise, to the addition of corn, frankfurters and so on – so why not change?
There are many fresh alternatives, tasty and equally practicalcold dishes that can be prepared in advance, keep in the fridge and take anywhere. And that, above all, do not make you regret the usual rice salad.
Here are five simple, but at all trivial proposals.
Spelled with grilled vegetables and feta
Spelled is an ancient, light but satiating cereal, perfect for summer meals. Instead of rice, it gives a more rustic consistency and a slightly hazelnant flavor. Just cook it in salted water, drain it and let it cool.
In the meantime, courgettes, aubergines and peppers are grilled, everything is seasoned with a drizzle of good oil, a pinch of salt, a few fresh mint leaves. To complete, you could add crumbled feta, for a savory touch that balances the sweetness of the vegetables.
It can also be kept for two days, and the taste improves with the passing of the hours.
Cold pasta with rocket pesto, cherry tomatoes and almonds
Cold pasta is a direct competitor of the rice salad, although it can become much more interesting, if you move away from the usual combinations.
For this version you need a homemade pesto, using rocket, toasted almonds, Parmesan, garlic and extra virgin olive oil: you will get a pungent and lively sauce, which gives character to the dish.
It joins the short pasta (fusilli, pens, shells are fine), the cherry tomatoes cut in half are added, some Parmesan cockroaches and a little grated lemon zest. The result is a fresh, aromatic dish, which has nothing to envy to the most tested rice salad.
Couscous with chickpeas, cucumbers and lemon
The couscous has an advantage: it cooks in five minutes. Just pour over slightly salted boiling water, cover and wait. Then he walks it with a fork, add a drizzle of oil and you’re done.
The beauty of the couscous is that it can be enriched in a thousand ways. Here we propose a version inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine: boiled chickpeas, diced cucumbers, fresh parsley, lemon juice, grated zest, oil, salt and pepper.
Simple, healthy and thirst -quenching! To serve cold, perhaps with a spoonful of Greek yogurt above, for those looking for a more delicious touch.
Novelle potato salad with green beans and boiled eggs
Potatoes are often overlooked in cold dishes, yet they have a lot to offer. The short stories, in particular, have a thin peel and a creamy consistency that makes them perfect for salads.
After boiling them, you can combine them with steam beans and hard -cut eggs cut into wedges. Add the raw red onion, finely sliced and left to soak in water and vinegar for a few minutes, to dampen its strength.
A simple dressing based on olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt and mustard makes this dish complete and balanced, rich in flavors and vegetable proteins.
Barley with avocado, dried cherry tomatoes and lime
If you are looking for a more original alternative, try with pearly barley. Once cooked and cooled, you can mix it with cubes, softened dried cherry tomatoes, basil leaves and an emulsion of lime and oil.
The softness of the avocado goes perfectly with the sapid note of dry cherry tomatoes, while lime will add the note of freshness. It is a complete dish, with an interesting texture and a perfume that tastes of full summer.
If desired, you could enrich it with some chopped walnuts, or with toasted pumpkin seeds, to add crunchiness.
A question of variety
Summer is long and alternating the dishes helps not to get bored and eat better. Wholemeal cereals, legumes, seasonal vegetables are all versatile ingredients, which lend themselves to a thousand combinations.
. Instead of boiled rice with peas and frankfurters, you can choose something more colorful, richer, more alive. Dishes that really nourish, without weighing down.
And, on closer inspection, who also put in a good mood.
Enjoy your meal!
