Summer recipe: Asian rice salad

A delicious, vegan summer dish that combines the Italian tradition with the Japanese one. It's Asian rice salad, where the lightness of tofu and the strong taste of soy sauce meet, creating a fresh dish that is rich in scents and flavors, quick to prepare and ideal to cool down in hot weather.

Asian rice salad: ingredients for 4 people

• 250g basmati rice
• 150g tofu
• 1 stick of celery
• 1 carrot
• 1 leek
• 1 sachet of saffron
• 1 teaspoon of soy sauce
• extra-virgin olive oil to taste
• balsamic vinegar to taste
• pepper to taste.

Why tofu? All the benefits of a vegan-friendly ingredient

Naturally free from cholesterol and full of vitamins and minerals, tofu is a popular vegan food obtained from the processing of soy milk.

Perfect for those suffering from celiac disease, as it is gluten-free, tofu also stands out for its important benefits, including the large quantity of nutrients it contains (protein, calcium, manganese, selenium and copper) and protection for the cardiovascular system and bones. These benefits result in an overall feeling of wellbeing and good health that reduces, among other things, the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Considered a protein source from a nutritional point of view, tofu is well suited for vegan and vegetarian diets, in which it serves as an excellent alternative to other protein sources, such as legumes.

It is also very versatile and can be cooked in many different ways: baked, fried, and marinated, as well as being used to make burgers and veggie croquettes.

Method

In a 2-handled non-stick saucepan, boil the rice in boiling water for about 15 minutes, adding the saffron sachet and stirring often. Once cooked, drain the rice and cool it under running water.

Wash the celery, carrot and leek well and cut them into thin pieces.

Place the rice in a bowl; add the vegetables and the cooked tofu to the plate and then cut it into cubes.

Add a tablespoon of olive oil, a few drops of soy sauce and balsamic vinegar and finally some pepper, and season everything.

Portion the rice in the dishes and serve.

Enjoy your meal!