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Rice Salad with Peaches, Peas, and Stracchino Cheese

17/11/2023

I’ll be happy to help you prepare a fresh rice salad with peaches, peas, and stracchino cheese. This dish is perfect for a light summer lunch or as a one-dish meal to enjoy outdoors. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

  • 250 g of salad rice (for example, parboiled rice or black Venus rice for a more refined variant)
  • 2 medium-sized ripe but firm peaches
  • 150 g of fresh or frozen peas
  • 150 g of fresh stracchino cheese
  • Salt to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Lemon juice or white vinegar (for dressing)
  • A handful of fresh basil leaves (optional)
  • Black pepper (optional)

Note: if you wish, you can add other ingredients to taste, such as olives, capers, or aromatic herbs.

Preparation

  1. Rice cooking: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rice according to the package instructions. Once ready, drain it and quickly cool it under a stream of cold water to stop the cooking process and keep the grains separate.

  2. Preparation of the other ingredients:

    • If you are using fresh peas, you will need to first blanch them in lightly salted water for a few minutes until they are tender but still crunchy; if they are frozen, follow the instructions on the package.
    • Rinse the peaches, cut them in half, remove the pit, and then cut them into cubes or slices.
    • Cut the stracchino cheese into cubes.

  3. Assembling the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled rice with the peas, diced peaches, and stracchino cheese. Gently mix to avoid breaking the cheese.

  4. Dressing: In a separate small bowl, emulsify some extra virgin olive oil with lemon juice or white vinegar, salt, and a sprinkle of black pepper (if you like it). Pour the dressing over the rice salad and mix carefully.

  5. Finishing and serving: Let the rice salad rest in the refrigerator for about an hour before serving, so that the flavors can blend well. When serving, garnish with fresh basil leaves for a touch of color and freshness.

Trivia: Rice salad is a very versatile and fresh dish, particularly appreciated during the summer months in Italy. The combination of peaches and stracchino cheese is an example of how sweet and creamy flavors can create a pleasantly contrasting balance of tastes.

I hope this dish adds a touch of creativity to your summer menu!

Rice Salad with Peaches, Peas, and Stracchino Cheese