Curried Rice Salad
A vibrant and flavorful rice salad featuring curry, almonds, and fragrant spices. Perfect for potlucks or light lunches, it offers a delightful combination of crunchy nuts, sweet raisins, and aromatic seasonings that appeal to those seeking a quick, satisfying, and colorful dish.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped almonds ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon margarine ⓘ
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, chopped ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon curry powder ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon coriander ⓘ
- 2 drops red hot sauce ⓘ
- 3 cups hot, cooked rice
- 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sliced green onion ⓘ
- 1/2 cup raisins ⓘ
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut ⓘ
Instructions
- Soak raisins in boiling water for 20 minutes.
- Saute almonds in margarine until crisp; drain and reserve.
- Combine mayonnaise, garlic, curry powder, lemon juice, cumin powder, salt, pepper, coriander, and red hot sauce to make the dressing.
- Stir hot cooked rice into the dressing.
- Fold in chopped red bell pepper, sliced green onions, soaked raisins, and shredded coconut.
- Chill the mixture.
- Just before serving, fold in the toasted almonds.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your Curried Rice Salad, consider using fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley. If you're looking for a vegan version, substitute the mayonnaise with a vegan mayonnaise alternative. For added crunch, you can also include chopped celery or cucumber. Soaking raisins in boiling water not only plumps them up but also helps to prevent them from hardening in the salad.
Serving Suggestions
This Curried Rice Salad is perfect as a standalone dish or as a side. It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish and is an excellent complement to a fresh green salad. For a complete meal, serve alongside Southern Okra And Tomato for a delightful contrast of flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Curried Rice Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the rice gently in the microwave, adding a splash of water to prevent drying out. However, it’s best enjoyed cold, so consider serving it straight from the fridge.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Curried Rice Salad contains roughly 289 calories, with 7g protein, 27g carbohydrates, and 19g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (37% of the Daily Value) and iron (21% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1019mg per serving (44% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add other vegetables to the salad?
Absolutely! Feel free to add diced cucumbers, peas, or shredded carrots for additional color and nutrition. Just keep in mind the balance of flavors, ensuring they complement the curried dressing.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).