Basmati Rice Salad with Sardines and Fresh Vegetables

Hey Root! Are you looking for a fresh and super nutritious recipe? Today we are sharing with you the recipe for basmati rice salad that is not only delicious, but will also fill you with energy. And the best thing is that it is loaded with ingredients that you probably already have at home. So get ready, because we are going to tell you step by step how to prepare this little gem that you can take anywhere.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked basmati rice (I'll tell you how to make it perfect below)

• 1 can of sardines in oil (don't underestimate them, they are pure protein!)

• 1 yellow pepper

• 1 red pepper

• 1/2 red onion

• 1 or 2 salad tomatoes (depending on size)

• 3 large celery branches

• 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

• 10 tablespoons of olive oil

• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• A handful of organic kale and arugula mix (fresh is a must)

• A handful of blueberries (that sweet touch that you will love)

To make perfect basmati rice:

First, rinse the rice in a colander under cold running water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps it to loosen. Next, heat twice as much liquid (you can use bone broth for extra flavor) as rice in a saucepan. When the liquid is boiling, add the cup of rice, lower the heat to low, cover it, and let it cook for about 15 minutes without uncovering it. Turn off the heat, let it sit for 5 more minutes, and voila! Soft, loose rice with an incredible flavor.

Preparation:

1. Chop the kale and arugula by hand. I love doing it this way because it keeps the rustic texture.

2. Dice the peppers, red onion, tomatoes and celery into small cubes. The smaller the better, as this allows the flavours to blend better.

3. Mash the sardines with a fork, using the oil that comes in the can. This will give the salad a delicious touch.

4. In a large bowl , place the cooked basmati rice (already cold, of course).

5. Add the chopped vegetables, sardines, kale and arugula.

6. Make a vinaigrette with the olive oil, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Mix well and add to the bowl.

7. Stir everything gently so that each ingredient is coated with the vinaigrette.

8. Finally, adjust salt and pepper to taste.

And that's it! A fresh, nutritious salad with that special touch of sardines that will surprise you.

Perfect to take to work or enjoy at home. The best part? You have a complete meal in one dish!

Try it and tell us how it turned out. #RootBlogEats #HealthyAndDelicious #EasyRecipes