Red Rice Salad with Pecans, Fennel, and Herbs

A vibrant and nutty salad featuring red rice, crisp fennel, and toasted pecans, dressed with lime juice and fresh herbs. This refreshing dish combines multiple textures and flavors, perfect as a side dish or light meal.

4 servings
1 hr

Ingredients

  • 1 cup red rice
  • 1 whole fennel bulb
  • ¼ whole red onion
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • cup pecans
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ½ cup cilantro
  • to taste kosher salt and pepper
  • to taste pistachio oil

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Cook rice according to package directions. Spread out on a rimmed baking sheet; let cool.

    30 min

  2. 2.

    Meanwhile, toss fennel and onion with 2 tablespoons lime juice in a large bowl and let sit, tossing occasionally, until lime juice is almost entirely absorbed, 10-15 minutes.

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Coarsely chop 1/3 cup pecans; finely chop remaining nuts. Cook in olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-low until golden brown, 5-10 minutes. Let cool.

    10 min

  4. 4.

    Add rice and pecans to fennel mixture along with remaining 1 tablespoon lime juice and toss to combine. Gently fold in cilantro; season with salt and pepper. Serve drizzled with pistachio oil, if desired.

    5 min

  5. 5.

    Do ahead: Rice salad (without cilantro) can be chilled up to 1 day. Bring to room temperature before serving.