Healthly fruity salad - out with the winter potatoes - in with summer salads! (Salads)

Member Name: karlsm93

Product:	Salads
Date:	07/04/09 (85 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Healthy side dish, perfect with chicken or white fish, easy ingredients

Disadvantages: none

Its coming into that time of year, when the traditional side dish to a meal of potatoes is replaced by a lighter salad, well in our household anyhow. I have to admit that I for a quick salad I usually bung together lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and a dressing, however when I have the time, or just fancy a change, I make this fruity salad, a great side dish with chicken or even white fish.

These ingredients would make a salad helping for 4 people:

Juice of 1 orange (or a tablespoon of orange juice from a carton if in a hurry)
2 large tomatoes chopped
1 green pepper chopped
175g long grain rice
50 g dried mix of chopped dates, cranberries and sultanas.
410g can of chickpeas (drained)
3 tbsp fresh coriander (though I often just use the dried coriander if I don't have time)


1. Cook the rice in the pan according to the packet instructions. Ensure all the water has been absorbed.

2. Pour the orange juice over the rice and stir in well. Then allow this to cool by putting it into a large salad bowl.

3. Add in the dried fruit, chickpeas, tomatoes, pepper, and coriander amd mix well.

I sometimes add in diced cucumber as well, or to replace the green pepper, and even some tinned peaches (chopped into little pieces) to add more fruit.

This is a great healthly side dish which tastes great, and there is often enough left to use for lunch the next day as well. In fact, I think I'll make it tonight, now that I am imagining the taste mmmmm.....

Summary: A lovely light fruity salad that tastes great without the guilt.