Greek-Style Rice Salad

Let’s prepare an Italian twist on a rice salad inspired by Greek cuisine!

Ingredients

• 200 g of rice
• 150 g of cherry tomatoes
• 1 cucumber
• 1 green bell pepper
• 100 g of feta cheese
• Black olives to taste
• Small red onion
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Dried oregano
• Fresh basil (Italian addition)

Preparation

1. Boil a pot of salted water and cook the rice until it’s al dente. Drain and let the rice cool in a large bowl.
2. While the rice is cooling, wash the cherry tomatoes and cut them in half; wash and slice the cucumber and green bell pepper thinly; cut the feta into cubes.
3. Peel and finely slice the red onion, and add it to the cooled rice along with the tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and feta.
4. Add the black olives, a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Mix gently to avoid breaking the rice.
5. Season with dried oregano and add torn fresh basil by hand to give a typically Italian aromatic and fresh touch.
6. Let it rest in the refrigerator before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

To make this salad even more Italian, you might choose a good Italian rice, such as Arborio or Carnaroli, which hold their shape well when cooked. And for an additional twist, you could add a little Genovese pesto thinned with a pinch of water to flavor the salad even more.

Curiosity

Rice salad is a very versatile and common dish in Italy during the summer months due to its freshness and ease of preparation. It is also a practical choice for picnics or meals on the go. The addition of feta and black olives, on the other hand, is typical of Greek cuisine, particularly the Greek salad that inspires this dish.