Multi-coloured picnic rice salad

Multi-Coloured Rice Salad

Planning a picnic this summer? This rice salad is a perfect dish to eat at a picnic, alongside boiled eggs, rustic bread and chunks of cheese. Just pack it up in a tupper-box, and don’t forget to bring forks to eat it with. Also makes a great side dish if you are having a BBQ closer to home.

Multi-coloured picnic rice salad

As before – and I always tell me children this – first read the whole recipe through from start to finish, then gather all your ingredients and utensils before you begin. And don’t forget to wash your hands before cooking. At the end of the recipe, I’ve also highlighted which parts I think are particularly suitable for kids to help with, though of course you need to judge that a little yourselves depending in your kids’ ages and abilities. So, happy cooking!

This recipe is suitable for: gluten free, vegetarian, dairy free, nut free; you use an alternative sweetener to honey to make it vegan.

Ingredients

(4-6 portions)

For the Salad

  • 150g long grain rice (uncooked weight)
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 peppers in whatever colours you like best
  • 100g pitted olives – we used black but you can use green if you prefer
  • 1 large tin of sweetcorn, ca. 260g drained weight
  • Fresh flat-leafed parsley (optional)

For the Dressing

  • 3 Tbsp orange juice
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp runny honey
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Utensils

  • Kitchen scales
  • Saucepan
  • Sieve
  • Salad bowl or large tupper-box
  • Chopping board
  • Cutting knife
  • A tablespoon
  • A teaspoon
  • Clean, empty jam jar with lid

Multi-coloured picnic rice salad

Multi-coloured picnic rice salad

Directions

  • Cook the rice in a saucepan of salted water. Check the package instructions to see how long it should take. We used jasmine rice, which was cooked for around ten minutes but other kinds or rice might take longer. Drain the rice in a sieve once it is done and transfer to your salad bowl or tupper-box.
  • Cut the peppers in half, de-seed them, and chop them in to small bite-size pieces. Cut the olives in half. Drain the sweetcorn. Add everything to the rice and mix well.
  • Add all the ingredients for the dressing in to the jam jar, screw the lid on tightly and shake well. My kids aren’t that keen on mustard, so I only add a little but you can adjust the mustard to your taste.
  • Mix the dressing in to the rice salad – it tastes best if it’s had a while to infuse, so try to make it a couple of hours before you intend to eat it. You can keep it cool in the fridge.
  • If everyone likes parsley, you can also chop up a handful of fresh parsley (leaves only) and mix in to the salad. One of my boys didn’t want any, so I served it on the side and those who wanted could sprinkle it on top.

Multi-coloured picnic rice salad

What kids can help with

  • Measuring, adding, and mixing ingredients.
  • Plucking parsley leaves off the stems (if using)
  • Depending on age, kids can also help to chop up the pepper and the olives. Just show them how to safely use a cutting knife – my kids have been helping to peel and chop vegetables since they were around 3 or 4. I give them a knife that’s not super sharp (you know those ones that cut right through you when you just lightly touch them – yeah, not those ones).

Adults only

  • Handling the hot saucepan and draining the hot rice.

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Comments: 5

  • reply
    14 July 2020

    This looks so tasty and simple to make too. I could see my family enjoying this rice dish x

  • reply
    2 August 2020

    This rice salad looks so colorful and delicious And it’s easy to make as well, will try it soon ☺

  • reply
    2 August 2020

    This looks delicious. It’s the kind of thing my husband would like for lunch.

  • reply
    3 August 2020

    My Mum always used to say dinners look so much better they’re full of colour! This looks amazing!

  • reply
    3 August 2020

    My boys love helping me to chop up things like peppers so they would really enjoy prepping this. I’d really enjoy eating it too!!!

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