This easily adaptable and colorful Brown Rice Salad with Italian Tahini Dressing is a hearty side dish or entree perfect for any meal.
America is awesome when it comes to vegan food. It's when I travel and have access to Western food that I remember this. During our travels throughout Thailand and Cambodia, we ran into so many Western restaurants, grocery stores, food items, etc. I would gawk as I walked down the street or the aisle of the grocery store, just taking in all the non-dairy milks, nut butters, cereals, and breads and more that I could buy instead of having to make myself (if only I wasn't living out of a suitcase). I often forget all of the foods I don't have access to when I'm in China, but the moment I step food in another country with Western shops, I'm reminded that China is all about their meat, eggs and dairy and a plant-based diet is still craziness to most of the locals here.
At first I usually get all "woah is me!" as I think through all the foods I used to be able to buy in America. It was so nice to be able to go out and buy almond milk if I didn't want to make it. Or got to a vegan restaurant in NYC, have a delicious meal, and then choose from dairy-free and egg-free dessert options. Or buy a pre-packaged meal full of delicious plant ingredients when I was in a pinch and didn't feel like cooking. It was awesome. And while I know a plant-based diet is still foreign and crazy to many Americans, it's starting to catch on. YAY!
For example, thanks to Instagram, I learned that Ben and Jerry's just produced their new non-dairy ice cream line! HELLO!? Can you ship me some? Also, So Delicious just started a new line of almond milks and yogurts that are carrageenan free. It also seems that vegan restaurants are popping up everywhere so that it's really easy to eat out as a vegan in most cities. Basically, vegan products are popping up everywhere in America, making it super simple to follow a plant-based diet.
So, while there are days when I'm more aware of the lack of specialty vegan products here in China (a.k.a none), or I'm frustrated that I have to make my own homemade tortillas for our Mexican dinner, or I forgot that I don't have any Homemade Oat Milk on hand and can't make my muffins, I have SO much to be thankful for! Our city is overflowing with produce that's cheap and sold close to our apartment. Rice, potatoes and noodles, which are cheap staple-foods, are everywhere. Not having access to lots of packaged or pre-made vegan foods also forces me be more creative with the foods I do have access too. Also, when I do travel or go home to America, I appreciate so much more all the delicious, plant-based foods and restaurants available to me.
Man, all this talk about food is making me hungry! Looks like a good time to start talking about this Brown Rice Salad with Italian Tahini Dressing. I love this salad because it's full of so many different colors and textures and is hearty enough to eat as an entree. The celery and almonds add the perfect crunch and the chewy raisins give bursts of sweetness. Plus, with the protein from the brown rice, chickpeas and tahini, it'll fill you up and keep you going for hours!
Feel free to switch up the add-ins or even the dressing. Cold rice and pasta salads are perfect recipes to be creative with! Let me know if you give this recipe a try and what you thing. Leave a comment or take a picture and tag #theconscientiouseater on Instagram!
📖 Recipe
Brown Rice Salad with Italian Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked and cooled brown rice
- 15 ounces chickpeas drained and rinsed
- ½ cup chopped red onion
- ½ cup chopped celery
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup almonds chopped
- ½ cup chopped parsley
Italian Tahini Dressing:
- 5 tablespoons tahini
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 ½ tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs
- 2 clove garlic minced
- black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Place the cooked and cooled rice in a large bowl. Stir in the chickpeas, red onion, celery, raisins, almonds and parsley.
- Stir the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl and drizzle over the brown rice mixture.
- Toss to combine.
- Chill for 1 hour before serving.
Sarah | Well and Full says
Reading this makes me feel really grateful for how many plant-based options we have here in America! Even in non-speciality grocery stores (aka not Whole Foods), there are more and more vegan options. Wish I could ship you a good ol' American grocery store, girl!
Faith says
Exactly! I'm happy for all you guys living in the U.S. So many awesome plant-based options are popping up all over the place. I wish you could ship me a store too haha! Thank goodness or on-line shopping;)
Liz says
Wow, I didn't realize how non-vegan friendly so many other countries are! Definitely good to know for the next time I'm traveling abroad. The last time I was in Europe, I wasn't a vegetarian and was just beginning to dabble in healthy eating. But anyways, this bowl--- wow I'm loving all your different components, especially that dressing! It looks SO delicious!
Faith says
It all depends, but some places are definitely more tricky than others! I've always been able to find food though so don't worry! Glad you like this recipe Liz. I hope you can give it a try!
Susan says
Beautiful! I love this and will make it 😉
Faith says
Awesome Susan! It gets better and better in the fridge!
Lauren says
Oh I love a good chickpea recipe! Pinning!
Faith says
Thanks Lauren! I hope you can give it a try!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
Would not have thought of adding raisins in there looks great! Thanks for linking up with us for Meatless Monday
Faith says
Thanks Deborah!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I will gladly ship you ice cream if you ship me this!
Faith says
Haha deal!!
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
Being without your usual staples does force you into being creative and cooking yourself, which is always good and which you've embraced wholeheartedly it seems 🙂
Faith says
Thanks Alyssa! And I know you're going through a bit of that yourself with your elimination diet!!
Sarah says
This looks simply amazing, just pinned to make it later! I love the combinations of flavors and textures, with the raisins, nuts, chickpeas, tahini, rice, just a power and flavor packed bowl.
When we were staying in Ireland I noticed the same thing, they are all about their meat, dairy, and root vegetables trying to find vegan food was hard unless we were in one of the big cities so on the weekends when we ventured to Dublin or Galway I would try to find some staples to stock up on.
Thank you for linking up with us for Meatless Monday!
Faith says
Thanks so much Sarah! I hope you like it. It makes even better leftovers:)
My parents live in Ireland and when we visit I find it harder to find plant based variety. Like you said, the bigger cities have more options, but not many. Maybe one day!!
Yo Mama says
Like all your creations, this salad looks beautiful. If I can find tahini here in Ireland, I just might make it when I have my girl friends from Douglas over on March 11 🙂 I'm looking forward to talking with you tomorrow!
Faith says
Thanks Mama! You could always use a different dressing or just try a different more neutral nut butter like almond or cashew if you can find those! Talk to you SOON!