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Rice Salad with Wasabi Dressing

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Submitted by popcornman

Japanese-inspired rice salad with a wasabi, rice vinegar, and sesame oil dressing. Tossed with crunchy cucumber, red bell pepper, and scallions for a zesty cold side dish.

YIELD

4 servings

PREP

15 min

COOK

0 min

READY

15 min

This rice salad brings a sharp, Japanese-inspired edge to a simple grain bowl. The dressing packs a real punch: wasabi powder bloomed in warm water, then whisked with rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, white pepper, and grated lemon zest. It’s bright, spicy, and aromatic all at once.

Letting the wasabi powder sit in warm water for 10 minutes before mixing is a step that matters. That resting time activates the heat compounds, so you get the full sinus-clearing kick rather than a dull, flat powder taste.

The salad itself is clean and crunchy: diagonally sliced scallions, diced red bell pepper, and crescent-shaped cucumber slices tossed with cooked rice. White or brown rice both work. The dressing coats each grain and vegetable evenly, and the whole thing can be served immediately or chilled for later.

Kitchen Tips

  • Bloom the wasabi in warm water and wait the full 10 minutes. Skipping this gives you maybe half the heat and none of the complexity.
  • Scoop the seeds out of the cucumber before slicing. Seeds release water and dilute the dressing.
  • Use cooled rice, not hot. Hot rice absorbs too much dressing and the vegetables wilt from the heat.
  • Toss the salad gently to keep the rice grains intact rather than mashing them.

Variations

  • Add edamame or diced avocado for extra protein and creaminess.
  • Toss in toasted sesame seeds or nori strips for a more pronounced Japanese flavor.
  • Top with seared tuna or salmon to turn this into a main course.

Ingredients

Dressing
2 10
TEASPOONS ML WASABI POWDER *
¼ 59
CUP ML RICE VINEGAR
1 15
TABLESPOON ML SESAME OIL
1 5
TEASPOON ML SUGAR
1 5
TEASPOON ML WHITE PEPPER
ground
½ 2.5
TEASPOON ML LEMON ZEST
grated
Salad
1 1
1 1
SMALL SMALL CUCUMBER
peeled
2 473
CUPS ML RICE
white or brown, cooked

Directions

*Wasabi powder can be found in Oriental food markets For dressing, mix wasabi powder with 1 teaspoon warm water and let stand 10 minutes. Combine all dressing ingredients and and whisk until smooth. For salad, thinly slice green onions on the diagonal. Core, seed and dice red pepper. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Cut cucumber crosswise into crescent-shaped slices. Add vegetables and rice to dressing and toss well.

* not incl. in nutrient facts Arrow up button

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 196g (6.9 oz)
Amount per Serving
Calories 389 9% from fat
 % Daily Value *
Total Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 221mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 26g 26%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Sugars g
Protein 15g
Vitamin A 21% Vitamin C 70%
Calcium 5% Iron 7%
* based on a 2,000 calorie diet How is this calculated?
Low in Saturated Fat, Low Cholesterol, Cholesterol-Free, Trans-fat Free, Good source of fiber
 

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