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Summertime entertaining is most always casual and relaxed. Our Recipe of the Week is easy to assemble and can be made in advance, freeing the cook to enjoy outdoor activities with everyone else. In fact, the creamy flavors in our Ravishing Rice Salad will deepen when allowed to develop for several hours, or overnight, in the refrigerator, before serving.

Chilled rice salads are perfect for summertime meals and travel well in an insulated cooler, and this dish is a flavorful, alternative to the usual rice and beans. Hearty enough to stand alone as a main course, this tasty salad is made with nutritious brown rice, creamy Great Northern beans, brown rice, chopped black olives, and succulent slices of Veggie Canadian Bacon. The creamy dressing is a fusion wholesome alternatives that include lite silken tofu, liquid Fruitsource, and mellow white miso.

This recipe calls for short grain brown rice, which is a little softer than medium or long grain rice. Rich in fiber, brown rice has an interesting, chewy texture and a longer cooking time (about 40 minutes) because the outer bran layers act as a barrier to heat and moisture. Serve this main dish salad garnished with sliced avocado,and crisp greens.

Ravishing Rice Salad*
*with permission from More Soy Cooking, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., © Marie Oser, 2000

8 servings

• 3 cups cooked brown rice
• 2/3 cup sliced scallions
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
• (1) 4 1/4 ounce can chopped black olives, drained
• (1) 6 ounce pkg. veggie Canadian bacon, diced
• (1) 15 ounce can Great Northern beans, drained
  
  Dressing:
• 1/2 cup plus 2 1/2 tablespoons lite silken tofu
• 2 tablespoons. dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoons. liquid Fruitsource
• 1 1/2 tablespoons mellow white miso
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon Tobasco sauce

Place rice in a large bowl. Add the scallions, garlic, pepper, olives, diced bacon, and beans. Mix thoroughly, and set aside. Place tofu in food processor and blend until smooth. Add the dijon, Fruitsource, miso, thyme, coriander, and Tobasco sauce. Pulse to mix, and then blend until smooth. Fold dressing into rice mixture, cover and refrigerate for at least an hour. Serve well chilled.

Enlightened Rice Salad 
Nutrition Analysis per 1 cup serving
Protein 13g, Carbohydrate 30g, Fiber 5g, Fat 3g, Cholesterol 0mg,
Calcium28mg, Sodium 596mg
Calories 183
from Protein: 26%, from Carbohydrate:62%, from Fat: 12%

Traditional Rice Salad 
Nutrition Analysis per 1 cup serving
Protein 12g, Carbohydrate 32g, Fiber 4g, Fat 27g, Cholesterol 29mg, Calcium
40mg, Sodium 832mg
Calories 410
from Protein: 11%, from Carbohydrate:31%, from Fat: 58%

Ingredients of Note

Yves Veggie Canadian Bacon-A very authentic wholesome alternative, very close to Canadian bacon or ham in both appearance, aroma, and flavor. It is made with soy protein and wheat gluten and is ready to eat-perfect in sandwiches or salads, or in stir fry and baked dishes, adding protein, carbohydrates and very little fat.

Lite Silken Tofu-A very low fat tofu, with a rich tasting smooth, creamy texture and a custard like consistency. It is widely available in aseptic packages in supermarkets and health food stores as Mori Nu Silken Tofu Lite. It is a time saving ingredient when making dips, spreads, and dressings, because it need not be precooked. To measure lite silken tofu by volume, spoon tofu into a liquid measuring cup and stir down with a fork. 

Mellow White Miso-Pale beige in color with a subtle, sweet fragrance this highly versatile miso has a rich, creamy, texture. It's sweet fragrance and natural flavor make it a wonderful addition to sauces, fillings, dips, and dressings. Available in health food stores, in the refrigerated case.