Pesto Rice Salad

It was our first Kiwi Christmas today - and in true Kiwi tradition we were invited to a BBQ. It is customary to 'bring a plate' in NZ - i.e take some food, not crockery! I took a big bowl of pesto rice salad, using the pesto made a couple of days ago. The recipe is highly inspired by a Delia one - from her summer collection. She uses arborio rice, but I prefer to use basmati rice as it is fluffy and light. I find using arborio makes the salad too sticky when combined with the pesto. Sorry Delia!

Pesto Rice Salad

2 cups basmati rice (cooked in microwave in 4 cups water for 13 mins)
1 cup pesto (fresh is nicer, but jarred would do fine)
Parmesan shavings
Handful pine nuts
Fresh basil leaves

• Cook rice according to instructions
• Allow to cool a little
• Stir in pesto
• Allow to cool completely, and chill in the fridge
• Stir in parmesan shavings (I did mine using a potato peeler)
• Stir in handful pine nuts
• Sprinkle over fresh basil leaves before serving

I'm glad to say the salad went down well. We had such a lovely day, and were made to feel so welcome by our friends and their family members. Our kids all played really well together, and had a great time. Considering the amount of excitement and sugar, there were very few spats amoungst the kids - and non at all for the adults!!