Have Leftover Rice? This Crispy, Crunchy Salad Is The Perfect Way To Use It

Say goodbye to food waste—leftover rice has never tasted better.

Have Leftover Rice? This Crispy, Crunchy Salad Is The Perfect Way To Use It
Denai Moore
Denai Moore

Food Writer

By Denai Moore

Food Writer

Denai Moore is an acclaimed British-Jamaican musician turned chef and author of Plentiful, a vegan Jamaican cookbook.

kale salad

Image by Jeff Wasserman / Stocksy

June 2, 2023

This salad has a lot of character. It utilises leftover rice in the most wonderful way, creating a lively textural dynamic: spicy and crispy but with nourishing heart from the kale. I love a dish that uses leftovers – so often rice gets wasted, which is a shame. This application is a great way to whip up something new when you have a few friends over if you are lucky enough to have leftover rice.

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Ingredients

Serves 4

3 tablespoons coconut oil150 g (5 oz/1 cup) cold cooked rice4 stalks cavolo nero (lacinato kale), torn2 spring onions (scallions), finely chopped350 g (12 oz) asparagus, finely sliced on the diagonal60 g (2 oz/generous ⅓ cup) roasted and salted cashewssalt and freshly ground black pepper

For the dressing:

glug of olive oil2 tablespoons coconut vinegar (or rice vinegar)1 tablespoon soy sauce1 tablespoon agave syrupjuice of 1 lime

Directions:

Start by crisping up the rice. Melt the coconut oil in a frying pan (skillet) over a medium heat, then add the rice to the pan. Spread it out evenly, pressing it into the oil. Allow to cook undisturbed for 6 minutes, checking the bottom so that it doesn’t burn. Remove from the heat and cover with a lid. Leave to sit for 5 minutes (this will help with removing the rice).Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a large bowl, then add the cavolo nero.Massage with your hands to soften it a little and then add the spring onions and asparagus. Crumble the rice into the bowl and toss to coat. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Finally, add the cashews and serve.

Excerpted with permission from Plentiful by Denai Moore published by ‎ Hardie Grant Publishing, May 2023.

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