I know, I know: “No good story ever started with someone eating a salad”, but trust me some salads are an exception. Before I get into salad talk, I wanted to share a story on rice:
A few months ago, my mom had invited her friends over for drinks/snacks. I say snacks but in Indian lingo, that means drinks with a full spread of food that counts as snacks, dinner and dessert. One of the dishes on her list was “Schezuan Prawns & Rice”. When I asked whether she planned on making brown rice, she retorted back with: “No, people prefer eating white rice”. While I’m sure some people do enjoy it, that’s not to say that applies to everyone…especially in this day & age when more people are opting to eat a nutritious diet.
To prove a point I proposed a rice-off. On the night of her drinks, both white & brown were served and guess which variety remained untouched. My point was more than made:
- Point made 1: People appreciate healthier options…and actually do enjoy them despite the negative connotations associated with “healthy food”
- Point made 2: We’re more likely to eat healthier foods when they’re nearby, visible and easily accessible
Point made 3: I’m always right 😉
Back to salad talk now. My mom hosted another drinks party on Friday night and I contributed an Arugula Salad with Figs, Roasted Almonds & Feta to the spread. My aunt described it as “Something Jamie Oliver would serve”. I don’t know if she was merely feeding my ego or genuinely meant it, but I’m going to pretend it was the latter. Let’s just say it was the only dish that got wiped out:
Arugula Salad with Figs, Roasted Almonds & Feta
Ingredients:
For the salad:
- 8 cups arugula
- 8-10 figs, quartered
- ½ cup toasted almonds, slivered
- ½ cup feta, crumbled
For the Honey Mustard Vinaigrette:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 teaspoons white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Method
- In a bowl, whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients and keep aside.
- Fill a salad bowl with the arugula.
- Reserving a bit of each, add the almonds, figs, and feta to the arugula.
- Drizzle the Honey Mustard Vinaigrette over the arugula salad and toss well.
- Garnish with the remaining almonds, figs and feta prior to serving.
What are your favourite salad toppings?
What rice do you prefer to eat- white or brown?
Looks n sounds fantastic. Sure it will taste fantastic . Perhaps when u come to chennai u can make it for me.
By the way did the ladies wipe out the white rice or the brown. U r just asking us to guess
I would be more than happy to make this salad for you :)! And of course the brown rice got wiped out ;)!
That salad looks delicious – please make it for me when I come. Not really the biggest rice fan but if I had to make a choice would definitely go for brown anyday.
You make me banana bread & I’ll make you this salad…deal?
That’s so funny about the rice off. I always like to prove I’m right to my parents too haha. I definitely prefer brown rice – overall I just think that whole grains taste so much better than refined grains. Except for homemade pasta. 😛
Also that salad looks fantastic! You had me sold at the mention of figs!
Homemade pasta is in a league of its own ;)! I’m with you about wholegrains tasting that much better….especially when it comes to bread!
That sounds like something my mom would say! She would never serve guests brown anything. Haha!
And that salad sound so good – esp the dressing. Will definitely be making that soon!
Haha must be an Indian thing! My grandmother wouldn’t even go near brown anything!
I love how you and your mom had a rice-off, that’s too funny! My mom still buys white rice and pasta, I think I need to propose a competition like this :-p
Even better than a rice-off, try using brown pasta/rice next time you cook for your mom & see if she notices a difference :)!
I love arugula in salads, one of my favorite greens for sure. And yay for proving your point! haha, I agree, people really do appreciate having the healthy option, and with other un-healthy foods available will most likely want to balance out their plates a little with some nutritious brown rice.
It’s all about striking a balance right…eat your unhealthy foods but sneak in more nutritious options where possible!
Now that is definitely a Jamie Oliver worthy salad. Holy.wow. Figs, almonds, and feta? I don’t know how you did it, but you officially have me craving a salad at 7:30 AM 😆 And that story about the rice-off is too funny – way to put up a fight for us healthy eating folk! That being said, I like both white rice and brown rice, depending on the dish. I grew up eating white rice and find it easier to work with in general, but I can’t deny that brown rice has a certain appeal too. And this might be going against the grain, but I’ve honestly never really noticed a difference in how I feel after eating the two different kinds…
“Going against the grain”–> please tell me that pun was intended ha ha :)! Although I do prefer brown rice in general, I do enjoy white rice when I’m eating at Chinese restaurants…takes me back to my childhood!
It was definitely intentional 😉
I always appreciate corniess thrown in sneakily 🙂 !
Oh my heavens, YUM! Your arugula salad is right up my alley! The combination of salty cheese, sweet fruit and bitter greens makes a perfect flavor trifecta!
I genuinely prefer brown rice over white, and NOT because it’s deemed more nutritious. The chewy texture and nutty flavor are more satisfying, and leave me feeling full longer. That said, I never turn down white rice when it’s the only option available–especially white rice sushi!
Happy Monday! <3
Love that you used the word ‘trifecta’ :D! And I’m the same about white rice- it’s not my favorite but if it was the only option, I would be fine to eat it.
wow I have never tried figs in salad, how delicious looking
You must, especially if you enjoy the sweet & savory combo!
I hate to burst your bubble, but I’m white rice all the way! I actually did a lot of research about this a few months ago and there are a number of studies that prove white rice is more beneficial for those who lift weights. I used to eat brown rice but neither Rob or I can tolerate it here in the UK. They must do something differently over here! No problems with white rice though. Now I’m obviously not eating any type of rice, except for the sushi I had last night 😉
HAHA FYI my mom read your comment and immediately repeated it to me- way to take her side ;)! It’s interesting that white rice is better for weight lifters and although I prefer brown rice, I wouldn’t avoid white rice if it was the only option….especially in sushi form :)!
OMG I want to eat that salad RIGHT now. This probably sounds crazy…but I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a fig! I know, such a crime. I love the rice-off–so glad people appreciated the brown rice 🙂
No crime at all…especially as I think it was my 2nd time trying fresh figs :D!
haha… snacks! Yes, in Indian lingo that means a 3 course meal, chai, small chops. I prefer white rice, but I try and eat more brown rice, especially outside since it’s so easy to find. Favorite salad toppings are chickpeas., mushrooms, cucumbers, balsamic vin. 🙂
Throw in some cheese and that’s a killer salad :)!
I love that experiment! I alwyas appreciate when there are healthier options to choose from… but I don’t expect it and usually have random food in my bag. LOL!
Better safe than sorry right :)!
Yum! that salad looks amaze!
I once made a healthy dessert and got harped for it being healthy by someone who brought a not so healthy dessert… and guess which one was gone first!
hahaha!
People do like healthy;)
Haha that’s awesome….the best part is telling them it’s healthy after they’ve inhaled it 🙂
I definitely prefer brown rice. I like the taste of it, and I love the health benefits as opposed to white rice. Go brown! 🙂
Brown all the way 🙂
I actually love mixing rice with salads. One time I even had cooked lentils on top of a salad. Two words: SO GOOD! 😛
Cooked lentils & rice are yum on salads- and they definitely help bulk it out!