Mediterranean Bulgur Rice Fusion Salad
Elevate your meal with this vibrant Mediterranean Bulgur Rice Fusion Salad, an exquisite blend of nutritious ingredients that bursts with flavor. This salad not only serves as a delightful side but can easily transform into a fulfilling main dish with the addition of grilled chicken or shrimp. A medley of crunchy vegetables, dried fruits, and wholesome grains come together harmoniously, all brought together by a zesty dressing. Perfect for a summer lunch or a picnic, this recipe is inspired by the pages of Taste of Home's Light & Tasty magazine, making it both light and tantalizingly tasty.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bulgur
1/2 cup (dry)
Boiling water
1 1/2 cups (no prep)
Cooked long-grain rice
1 1/2 cups (cooked)
Celery
1/2 cup (thinly sliced)
Carrot
1/2 cup (coarsely grated)
Green pepper
1/2 cup (sliced)
Dried cranberries
1/4 cup (no prep)
Fresh parsley
1/4 cup (minced)
Rice vinegar
1/4 cup (no prep)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (no prep)
Onion
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
Water
1 tablespoon (no prep)
Sesame oil
1 teaspoon (no prep)
Honey
1 teaspoon (no prep)
Garlic
1 clove (minced)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (no prep)
Ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon (no prep)
Chinese five spice powder
1/2 teaspoon (no prep)
Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (no prep)
Mixed salad greens
9 cups (torn)
Sliced almonds
1/4 cup (toasted)
Instructions
1
In a medium bowl, combine bulgur and boiling water. Cover the bowl and let it sit for about 30 minutes, or until the bulgur has absorbed most of the water.
2
Once the bulgur is ready, drain any excess liquid and gently squeeze out the moisture with a clean towel.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared bulgur, cooked long-grain rice, celery, grated carrot, sliced green pepper, and dried cranberries. Toss gently to mix.
4
In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine minced parsley, rice vinegar, olive oil, finely chopped onion, water, sesame oil, honey, minced garlic, salt, ground mustard, Chinese five spice powder, and pepper. Seal the jar and shake vigorously until well combined.
5
Pour the dressing over the bulgur and rice mixture and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
6
To serve, arrange the torn salad greens on individual plates and top with a generous scoop of the bulgur rice mixture. Sprinkle with toasted sliced almonds for added crunch.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mediterranean Bulgur Rice Fusion Salad?
It is a vibrant blend of bulgur, cooked long-grain rice, crunchy vegetables, and dried fruits, tossed in a zesty dressing and served over salad greens.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it contains grains, vegetables, nuts, and a honey-based dressing with no meat products.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield 6 servings.
How do I prepare the bulgur for this salad?
Combine 1/2 cup of dry bulgur with 1 1/2 cups of boiling water, cover, and let it sit for 30 minutes until the water is absorbed.
What type of rice should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of cooked long-grain rice.
What vegetables are included in the salad?
The salad includes thinly sliced celery, coarsely grated carrots, and sliced green peppers.
Is there fruit in this salad?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/4 cup of dried cranberries for a touch of sweetness.
What is the dressing made of?
The dressing is a mix of parsley, rice vinegar, olive oil, onion, water, sesame oil, honey, garlic, salt, mustard, five spice powder, and pepper.
How do I prepare the dressing?
Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously until well combined.
How should the salad be served?
Arrange torn mixed salad greens on plates, top with the bulgur rice mixture, and sprinkle with toasted sliced almonds.
Can I add protein to this dish?
Yes, you can transform this side dish into a main course by adding grilled chicken or shrimp.
What kind of nuts are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of toasted sliced almonds for added crunch.
How long does the bulgur need to soak?
The bulgur should soak for approximately 30 minutes.
What kind of vinegar is used in the dressing?
Rice vinegar is used to provide the zesty flavor profile for the dressing.
Is there garlic in the recipe?
Yes, the dressing includes one minced clove of garlic.
What provides the unique spice flavor in the dressing?
The dressing includes Chinese five spice powder and ground mustard for a unique flavor profile.
How much salad greens are needed?
The recipe requires 9 cups of torn mixed salad greens.
Is sesame oil used in this recipe?
Yes, one teaspoon of sesame oil is added to the dressing for depth of flavor.
What is the texture of the carrots?
The carrots should be coarsely grated before being added to the salad mixture.
Does the recipe use fresh herbs?
Yes, it uses 1/4 cup of minced fresh parsley in the dressing.
What is the recommended preparation for the celery?
The celery should be thinly sliced for the best texture.
How do I ensure the bulgur isn't too watery?
After soaking, drain any excess liquid and gently squeeze out the moisture with a clean towel.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 21 individual ingredients used in this recipe.
Is this recipe considered a light meal?
Yes, it is inspired by Light & Tasty magazine and is designed to be both light and nutritious.
Is there a sweetener in the salad?
The dressing uses one teaspoon of honey as a natural sweetener.
Can this be served at a picnic?
Absolutely, its ingredients and structure make it an excellent choice for a summer picnic or lunch.
What kind of pepper is in the recipe?
The recipe uses green pepper in the salad and ground black pepper in the dressing.
How is the onion prepared?
The onion should be finely chopped for inclusion in the dressing.
What category does this recipe fall into?
This recipe is categorized under Grains.
Is salt included in the dressing?
Yes, the dressing includes 1/2 teaspoon of salt.