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Asian Brown Rice and Vegetable Salad

This main-dish salad, topped with a sesame-wasabi dressing, is an interesting combination of colors, textures, aromas, and flavors.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 4; 1/2 cup rice, 1/2 cup spinach, 1/2 cup broccoli slaw, and 2 tablespoons dressing per serving

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups water
2 tablespoons plain rice or white wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon plain rice or white wine vinegar, divided use
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 teaspoon grated peeled gingerroot
1 cup uncooked instant brown rice
1/3 cup Chicken Broth (page 50) or commercial fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
2 teaspoons soy sauce (lowest sodium available)
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon wasabi paste
2 ounces spinach (about 2 cups)
2 cups broccoli slaw
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, dry-roasted

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a medium saucepan, stir together the water, 2 tablespoons vinegar, brown sugar, and gingerroot. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.

    Step 2

    Stir in the rice. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork. Let the mixture cool in the pan, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes.

    Step 3

    Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the broth, remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar, soy sauce, oil, and wasabi. Set aside.

    Step 4

    For each serving, make a single layer of spinach on a salad plate, followed in order by a layer each of rice, broccoli slaw, and walnuts. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of dressing over each salad.

  2. Cook’s Tip on Wasabi

    Step 5

    Add small amounts of wasabi paste to various dishes, such as salad dressings, marinades, and sauces, to enhance the flavor without adding sodium. Just proceed carefully—wasabi, sometimes called Japanese horseradish, is fiery!

  3. Cook’s Tip on gingerroot

    Step 6

    If the produce section of your grocery store has only large pieces of gingerroot, it is appropriate to break off what you need. Use a spoon, knife, or vegetable peeler to remove the skin before grating, slicing, or finely chopping the flesh.

  4. Nutrition Information

    Step 7

    (Per serving)

    Step 8

    Calories: 150

    Step 9

    Total fat: 4.5g

    Step 10

    Saturated: 0.5g

    Step 11

    Trans: 0.0g

    Step 12

    Polyunsaturated: 2.5g

    Step 13

    Monounsaturated: 1.0g

    Step 14

    Cholesterol: 0mg

    Step 15

    Sodium: 110mg

    Step 16

    Carbohydrates: 24g

    Step 17

    Fiber: 3g

    Step 18

    Sugars: 4g

    Step 19

    Protein: 4g

    Step 20

    Calcium: 24mg

    Step 21

    Potassium: 248mg

  5. Dietary Exchanges

    Step 22

    1 1/2 starch

    Step 23

    1/2 fat

American Heart Association Low-Salt Cookbook, 4th Edition
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