Rice & Pasta Salads

Pasta and rice are both good options for a hearty, healthy salad.

Grains are a critical part of a healthy, nutritious diet. When blended with legumes, nuts or cheese, pasta or rice can be the basis of a well-balanced, tasty meal.

Corn, Bean and Rice Salad

You can mix cold, cooked rice with a drained can of kidney beans and a drained can of corn for a quick meal that contains a complete protein. Add vinegar and oil for a dressing and chopped vegetables of your choice. Green peppers are a good option to complement the southwestern flavor of the the salad.

Pasta with Feta Cheese and Spinach

For a delicious Mediterranean treat, try cooked cold pasta tossed with feta cheese and fresh spinach. Herbs like basil or oregano are good flavor complements to the feta. A red wine and oil dressing add Italian flair.

Wild Rice, Pecans and Raisins

Wild rice goes well with nuts. Try tossing some cold, cooked wild rice with pecans. Add raisins to sweeten the nuttiness and dress with red wine and vinegar. Onions, salt, pepper and even a little ham round out the flavors of this salad well.

References

• Cooks.com: Cold Corn, Rice and Bean Salad
• Cooks.com: Feta and Spinach Pasta Salad
• Cooks.com: Wild Rice Salad
• MyPyramid.gov: Vegetarian Diets