Recipe: Avocado, Almond and Raisin Brown Rice Salad

I know, I know - another weird combination, but I promise you this one is so so good. It's a pretty random, use what's left in the fridge, meal but it totally works.

More often that not, the reason our favourite food combinations are our favourites is because of the balance of flavours and textures. Salty and sweet, soft and crunchy, sweet and sour etc. 

This Brown Rice Salad totally works for that exact reason. You've got creamy avocado, crunchy almonds, savoury spinach and grilled zucchini and sweet juicy raisins mixed through brown rice. You've also got a mix of warm and cold - with the rice and veggies being warm and the cold creamy avocado. 

But I know what you're thinking, an Avocado, Almond & Raisin Brown Rice Salad still sounds totally odd - but I bet the first person to put peanut butter and jelly together got a few weird looks too! 

So let me give you the recipe >> 

Avocado, Almond and Raisin Brown Rice Salad Recipe serves 1, easily multiplied 

gluten free, low fat, vegan, clean eating friendly, dairy free, egg free 

1 serve cooked brown rice 

1 zucchini, thinly sliced 

1 clove of garlic 

1/4 ripe avocado, diced 

~1-2 tbsp almonds (raw or roasted), roughly chopped 

~1 tbsp raisins 

Optional: fresh basil and/or parsley for some extra flavour.

If you haven't already, cook your rice. 

Saute your zucchini with garlic and salt and pepper to taste. 

When your zucchini is almost finished, add in your baby spinach (and herbs if using) and allow to wilt. 

Stir through your rice and allow to heat through. 

Take your rice off the heat and gently mix through your avocado, raisins and almonds.

I know, I know - hardly a recipe, but now you know how to make it yourself! 

But tell me, what's the last odd food combination you enjoyed? 

And are you a sweet and salty fan? 

Jesse was never a sweet and salty fan... until he lived with me :P Now he totally gets it - but the first time I made a "trail mix" with salted popcorn, raisins and chocolate chips he looked at me like I was insane.