Spring Vegetable Rice Salad (Insalata di Riso)

Recipe courtesy Michael Chiarello, 2007

Show: Easy Entertaining with Michael ChiarelloEpisode: Biking Picnic

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (7)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(7)

Prep Time:
20 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
8 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: --
Total:: 20 min

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Ingredients

1 cup Arborio rice
1/2 pound medium asparagus
1 cup shelled English peas, from about 1 pound fresh peas
2 pounds fresh fava beans
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Sea salt, preferably gray salt, and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup thinly sliced basil leaves
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1/2 cup small diced boiled ham
1/4 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rice, stir, and adjust heat to maintain a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally to prevent any grains from sticking to the pot, until the rice is just barely done, about 15 minutes. It will continue to cook as it cools. Drain the rice well and spread it out on a tray to cool quickly.

Bring another large pot of salted water to a boil. Holding an asparagus spear in both hands, bend the spear until it breaks naturally at the point where it becomes tough. Repeat with the remaining spears. Discard the tough ends and cut the tender part into 1/3-inch lengths. Blanch asparagus and peas together in the boiling water for 1 minute and 30 seconds, then lift out with a strainer and transfer to a paper towel lined baking sheet to cool.

Shell the fava beans, then blanch the unpeeled beans in the same boiling water for about 3 minutes. Drain, transfer them to a paper towel lined baking sheet to cool. Peel the fava beans by pinching open the loose skin; the peeled bean should slip out easily.

Put the lemon juice in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in the olive oil.

In a large bowl, combine the cooled rice, asparagus, peas, fava beans, basil, parsley, lemon zest, ham and cheese. Toss with your hands to blend. Pour the dressing over the salad (you may not need it all) and toss gently. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Note: You can blanch everything ahead, but don't dress until just before serving.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Spring Vegetable Rice Salad (Insalata di Riso)
melinda Flagstaff, AZ 03-20-2010
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Just delicious
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I loved this salad! I used other reviewers ideas and used pine nuts and edamame (I have never found fava beans anywhere!). ... The lemon dressing was great and it was a light and wonderful side dish. Thank you Michael - another winner.Read more
recipe Spring Vegetable Rice Salad (Insalata di Riso)
Teri Sammamish, WA 07-09-2009
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Wonderful, Flavorful and Versatile
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I needed a recipe for fava beans and this was perfect! Although the prep time was a bit longer than 20 minutes, the insalata... was great. I substituted chopped panchetta for the ham. And for vegetarians, it is a wonderful dish without the meat. This will be added as one of my favorites. Thank you Michael for this fabulous recipe!Read more
recipe Spring Vegetable Rice Salad (Insalata di Riso)
DAVID Denver, CO 07-19-2008
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prep time error
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

No way can you do this in 20 minutes. It takes at least that long to go through the whole fava bean process. I used edamame... instead. Not quite the same but a lot less work.Read more
recipe Spring Vegetable Rice Salad (Insalata di Riso)
Anonymous 07-13-2008
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Different and good
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

It's different, easy to make, and really good!
recipe Spring Vegetable Rice Salad (Insalata di Riso)
Ashley San Diego, CA 04-03-2008
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Beautiful
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

This was a beautiful and great tasting salad. I omitted the ham and added grilled salmon instead. I also added a handful of... toasted pine nuts. I will definitely be making this again.Read more
recipe Spring Vegetable Rice Salad (Insalata di Riso)
DM Jensen Beach, FL 07-15-2007
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Great summer salad
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

Made this the first time without the fava beans and we really enjoyed it. Finally found fava beans and the second time was... even better! Perfect as a side or a main course.Read more