Cherry Tomato, Goat Cheese, and Rice Salad
Fresh flavors of cherry tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, basil and goat cheese combine for this easy tomato rice salad. Great for potlucks!
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
- 1- pint cherry tomatoes
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves julienned
- 1 package VeeTee basmati and wild rice
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese
Instructions
Prep Ahead:
- If not using VeeTee prepackaged rice, cook 1 ½ cups basmati rice, then let cool.
- Transfer to a resealable bag or container.
- Toast the pine nuts and transfer them to a resealable bag or container.
- Slice the cherry tomatoes and store them with the basmati rice, or in its own resealable bag or container.
- Cooked rice will store for up to 1 week in the fridge.
- Toasted pine nuts will store for up to 2 months in the fridge.
- Sliced cherry tomatoes will store for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Prepare From Prepped:
- Combine the ingredients as directed in “Make It From Fresh”, beginning at Step 2.
Make From Fresh:
- Toast the pine nuts: In a small, stainless steel pan over medium-low heat, toast the nuts until they are lightly brown. Shake the pan often, watch the nuts closely- they burn quick! As soon as they start to brown, remove them immediately from the heat. (see Notes below for a link to a video for toasting pine nuts) Add to a large bowl.
- Julienne the basil: Stack the leaves on top of each other, with the largest leaves on the bottom. Roll the leaves up like a cigar, then slice width-wise to cut ribbons of basil. Add to the bowl with the tomatoes.
- Slice the tomatoes in halves or quarters and add to the pine nuts and basil.
- Cook the VeeTee according to the instruction on the package, then add to the tomatoes and pine nuts.
- Add the lemon juice and toss to coat.
- Add the goat cheese crumbles and turn gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper as desired, then serve.
Notes
I love this simple salad in the summertime! It's easy with a package of VeeTee Basmati and Wild Rice stirred in; if you don't have VeeTee rice, basmati on its own is a perfect substitute.
Watch a quick video on how to easily toast pine nuts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmV8Jp7WsEE