Brown Rice and Orange Salad

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown rice
• 4 small clementines, or 1 cup mandarin oranges, canned in juice
• 3 green onions
• 1 large lemon
• 1 cup almonds
• 1 cup frozen shelled edamame beans
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 Tablespoon honey
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ cup canola oil

Optional Ingredients

• ½ cup feta or farmer’s cheese

Materials

• 2 small bowls
• Baking sheet
• Colander
• Cutting board
• Fork
• Large bowl
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Medium pot with lid
• Sharp knife
• Small pot

Instructions

1. Cook rice following package instructions. Remove from heat. Let stand covered for 10 minutes. Scoop out into a large bowl to cool. While rice is cooking, prepare rest of salad.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
3. Peel clementines and tear into segments. Or, if using canned oranges, rinse and drain.
4. Rinse and chop green onions.
5. Rinse lemon and cut in half. In a small bowl, squeeze juice from both halves. Discard seeds.
6. Slice almonds. On a baking sheet, spread slivered almonds. Bake until golden brown, about 8–10 minutes. Watch closely so they do not burn.
7. Fill a small pot with about 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil. Add edamame. Cook for 3 minutes, or until tender. Drain and set aside.
8. Add clementines or mandarin oranges, edamame, green onions, almonds, and dried cranberries to bowl with rice. Mix together.
9. In a second small bowl, use a fork to whisk together lemon juice, honey, and ground black pepper. While still whisking, slowly drizzle in the oil until a dressing forms.
10. Pour the dressing over the salad. Mix well. Let salad rest at room temperature for 10 minutes so flavors can combine.
11. If using, top with crumbled feta or farmer’s cheese.