Experience a medley of textures and flavors in this wholesome salad, combining crispy fried rice, roasted veggies, and tangy pomegranate seeds, all enhanced by the subtle sweetness of candied sunflower seeds and finished with a zesty lemon vinaigrette—a vibrant feast for your senses.
FOR THE SALAD:
1. Cook the rice according to package directions. (It's also OK to use leftover rice!) Pour two tablespoons oil into a warmed pot and fry the rice until crispy.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
3. Remove broccoli stalk and cut broccoli into bite-size pieces. Toss broccoli in oil, salt and pepper in a bowl and spread onto a sheet tray. Cut the delicata squash into cubes, toss in a bowl with oil, and spread onto another sheet tray. Roast broccoli and squash until tender and slightly charred, about 25 minutes.
4. Place fried rice into a large bowl and fold in squash and broccoli.
5. When ready to serve, combine remaining ingredients except the pomegranate seeds in a bowl and stir to combine. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds on top. Serve and enjoy!
FOR THE CANDIED SUNFLOWER SEEDS:
Lightly toast sunflower seeds in a skillet. Add sugar, salt, cayenne and oil and toss and stir over low heat until seeds begin to stick and clump and sugar begins to caramelize. Spread seeds onto a sheet pan and let cool. (Pop into a low oven for a few minutes if needed to dry out or refresh seeds before serving.)
FOR THE VINAIGRETTE:
Whisk lemon juice and salt to dissolve. Whisk in oils and pepper.
INGREDIENTS: SALAD
2 cups brown rice, cooked
1 head broccoli
1/2 delicata squash
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
Canola oil
Candied Sunflower Seeds (recipe follows)
Lemon Vinaigrette (recipe follows)
INGREDIENTS: CANDIED SUNFLOWER SEEDS
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 pinch cayenne peper
1 tablespoon canola oil
INGREDIENTS: LEMON VINAIGRETTE
1½ cups freshly squeezed and strained lemon juice
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1½ cups neutral oil (preferably grapeseed)
1 cup extra virgin olive oil