Arlington, VA — Salads are soaring in popularity, and new concepts like grain salads are becoming important additions to foodservice menus. As restaurants, schools and non-commercial operations update menus to be more creative and healthful, salads of all kinds are meeting diners’ expectations for taste and nutrition in keeping with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommends eating more fruits, vegetables and grains, like rice.
According to Mintel’s trend predictions, “Healthy adding, not subtracting—like nuts, beans, greens and grains—will provide more health-minded options without taking away favorites.”
The USA Rice Federation offers many delicious rice salad ideas that use seasonal ingredients that will keep grain salads on your menu year-round:
- Smoked Salmon Rice Salad with Apple Vinaigrette: This light, healthy wild and white rice salad includes smoked salmon, raisins, arugula and hazelnuts for the ideal balance of taste and texture.
- Chicken Tandoori Rice Salad: Curry rice pairs with onions, pea pods, raisins, peanuts, lemons and scallions to create an Indian-spiced salad perfect for lunch and dinner.
- Brown Rice Tabbouleh: Delicious whole grain brown rice is combined with fresh vegetables, parsley and mint for a healthy side dish, salad or vegetarian entrée.
- Santa Fe Salad: Rice, black beans, corn, bell peppers and green onions tossed with cilantro-lime vinaigrette make the perfect Southwest salad.
For more recipe ideas, visit www.MenuRice.com.
The USA Rice Federation is the global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry with a mission to promote and protect the interests of producers, millers, merchants and allied businesses. About 85 percent of the rice consumed in the U.S. is grown here. U.S. rice farmers produce an abundance of short-, medium-, and long-grain rice, as well as organic and specialty rices such as jasmine, basmati and arborio, in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas, according to the highest-quality and wholesomeness standards. Sustainably grown U.S. rice helps reduce food miles because it is a domestically grown product. Look for the “Grown in the USA” logo on packages of 100 percent U.S.-grown rice.
Source: The USA Rice Federation