Greek-Style Picnic Salad

Name: Greek-Style Picnic Salad
Yield: 10 servings (serving size: 1 cup)
Ingredients: 2 cups uncooked white rice; 1 cup boiling water; 3/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed without oil; 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 8 cups bagged prewashed spinach (about 8 ounces); 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 cups (8 ounces) reduced-fat feta cheese, crumbled; 1/4 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained; 3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted; 10 lemon wedges (optional)

10 Reviews

ADD YOUR REVIEW

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Yield

10 servings (serving size: 1 cup)

For authentic Greek flavor, substitute two teaspoons chopped fresh oregano for dried.

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked white rice
1 cup boiling water
3/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed without oil
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
8 cups bagged prewashed spinach (about 8 ounces)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups (8 ounces) reduced-fat feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (15 1/2-ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
10 lemon wedges (optional)

How to Make It

Step 1

Cook rice according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Cool to room temperature; set aside.

Step 2

Combine boiling water and sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl; let stand 30 minutes or until soft. Drain and cut into 1-inch pieces.

Step 3

Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add spinach and garlic; sauté 3 minutes or until spinach wilts. Combine rice, tomatoes, spinach mixture, cheese, and next 5 ingredients (through chickpeas). Drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon oil; toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with nuts; serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

Ratings & Reviews

MLSMN1's Review

2014-07-05T13:26:08-04:00 MLSMN1

Love this salad, I do cut in half for family size portion. Lemon is important ingredient.

mpwinchester's Review

2013-07-09T06:15:25-04:00 ebf9qq

We made this exactly to the recipe and my family of 4 all loved it. We all agreed we would happily eat it every week!

crazy4sushi's Review

2013-05-11T15:53:22-04:00 mpwinchester

Great salad. I sometimes use orzo, sometimes rice. I chop the spinach up and use it fresh, no cooked.

andrea10191's Review

2013-05-03T17:23:06-04:00 MonicaMN

This was good but it seemed like 2 cups of rice was too much. I would use less rice and a little less feta if I made it again.

Beccaroo73's Review

2012-03-12T10:28:47-04:00 Beccaroo73

So yummy! I had leftover white rice and was making Mediterranean chicken, so this was a perfect side. It was pretty fast and easy. I didn't follow the directions to a T, just threw in a bit of this and that. The only thing I added was basil, which added a nice flavor. Also used sun-dried tomatoes in oil--much faster than soaking the dry ones. Will definitely make this again.

nurseboss's Review

2011-07-05T15:04:53-04:00 crazy4sushi

I really enjoyed this salad as do many of my friends and family (esp the vegetarians!) I did notice that I use more olive oil sometimes as the rice can make the salad quite dry. I have also added fresh basil and it's very good! I've made this salad many many times and always get a good response!

Heidelind1's Review

2010-05-28T18:52:23-04:00 goodfood4ursoul

This is kind of pricy but it tastes incredibly yummy. Personally I didn't think that any salt needed to get added, the olives, feta and sun-dried tomatoes really had enough salt.

MonicaMN's Review

2009-12-23T18:14:34-05:00 nurseboss

Love it! I will make this again even if its just for me! I used 2 cups rice and it didn't seam like too much at all. Best greek salad I have ever made or eaten!

ebf9qq's Review

2009-06-06T22:54:24-04:00 andrea10191

DH and I really like this dish. I use more olives and oregano than called for in the recipe. I also drizzle some fresh lemon juice over it before serving. I am thinking next time I make it, I may throw in some diced red onion too.

goodfood4ursoul's Review

2009-01-29T22:37:51-05:00 Heidelind1

Found this recipe to be rather bland. I made this recipe according to the directions. Next time(there won't be a next time) I would use only half the rice and double the spinach, and probably add some other marinated veggies. This recipe, as it stands, makes a huge bowl of so-so salad. Unless you are feeding 40 people, you won't need this much 'salad'. If you have other yummy recipes on the table, people probably won't eat much of this one. Sorry!

Greek-Style Picnic Salad

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Ratings & Reviews

MLSMN1's Review

mpwinchester's Review

crazy4sushi's Review

andrea10191's Review

Beccaroo73's Review

nurseboss's Review

Heidelind1's Review

MonicaMN's Review

ebf9qq's Review

goodfood4ursoul's Review

Greek-Style Picnic Salad

Ingredients

Nutritional Information

How to Make It

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