Best Ever Christmas Rice Salad

Best Ever Christmas Rice Salad

Prep time: 15 mins
Cooking time: 15 mins
Serves 8 as side

Ingredients
2 cups long-grain rice, rinsed
3 cups water
1 lemon, rind finely grated, juiced
800g heirloom tomatoes, sliced
150g cherry bocconcini, torn in half
1 pomegranate, seeds removed, juice reserved (see tip)
1/2 cup small basil leaves

Dressing
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbs lemon juice
1/2 tsp caster sugar


Method
Put the rice and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes until small craters in surface of the rice. Remove from heat and stand covered for 10 minutes. Rinse then drain well. Stir in the lemon rind, juice and season.
Spoon the rice onto a large platter or serving board. Top with tomatoes, bocconcini and pomegranate seeds.
For the dressing; Combine all the ingredients in a jar, add the reserved pomegranate juice and with salt and pepper. Shake well. Just before serving, pour over the salad and scatter over the basil leaves.

Tip: To remove seeds from pomegranate, roll the fruit on bench to loosen the seeds. Score around the middle and tear it into two halves. Hold each half over a bowl, seeds facing down and tap the skin with a wooden spoon, squeezing a little to release the seeds.

Tip This salad is a great accompaniment to Christmas ham, turkey & seafood. It is also a perfect over the summer months to serve with barbecue prawns, chicken & lamb.

Recipe by Janelle Bloom