Food Stamps

If you are interested in trying a new salad, here is a unique option that is certain to be a success with your family.

• 2/3 cup finely chopped almonds
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 pounds fresh green beans
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1 cup cooked rice

Combine the rice and the water into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat until the liquid is barely bubbling. You should cover this and allow it to cook on low for around 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and then allow the rice to sit for around 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork. This is a dish that can be served warm or cold, so if you are planning on serving it warm, then cover the rice so that it will stay warm while you are preparing the rest of the meal. If you are planning on having a cold salad, then you can allow the rice to cool to room temperature and then put it in your fridge until serving time.

Steam your beans over medium heat for around 8 minutes or until they are tender. They should be bright green. If you cook them for too long, they will overcook and lose their color. Whisk the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and salt into a large bowl. Add the beans and then stir in the dressing. Season everything to taste and add the toasted nuts.

If you do not have toasted nuts , then you can make them on your own. Take a small dry skillet and put the nuts in over medium heat. You will want to shake the skillet to keep the nuts moving so that they are getting toasted on an even scale. When they are slightly brown and you can smell them, then you know they are ready for you to use. You must watch the nuts very carefully when you are doing this process because it is possible to burn them. Cool the nuts before you put them into the dish. Toasting them will bring out the flavor and add a unique texture to the salad.

This salad pairs well with sandwiches and fruit or other veggies. Depending on how much you may, you may determine that you don’t need to add other food options in, though this is a food that truly makes a good side dish. You can experiment with the seasonings and other elements to ensure that you get the flavor that your family will enjoy the most. Although this isn’t a meal that is a huge hit with children, you can always alter some of the different ingredients to make it something that your children would be more interested in eating. This makes a good lunch or dinner time meal and can be great for summer and winter months because of the different ways that it can be prepared.