Fiesta Rice Salad with House Special Dressing

Fiesta Rice Salad with House Special DressingThis rice salad is a fiesta in a bowl! Plenty of add-ins and the dressing will keep them coming back for more!

Original credit for this recipe goes back about 40 years to my brother-in-law.

A fiesta in a bowlHe'd always serve this at BBQs and it was a great way to use leftover rice. It was nothing too fancy--some celery, onion and plain vinaigrette dressing.

This salad has evolved over the years with all members of the family making it and adding their own touches.

Special of the houseThe dressing is versatile in that it's also a general creamy salad dressing. It's packed with flavor too, from the cheese, herbs and white wine vinegar.

Creamy and cheesy dressingAnother special touch of mine is to load this up with veggie add-ins and add...BACON...which improves anything!

Bacon!I'm the only one who uses tomatoes when I make this, but I think they add such oomph to the taste and coupled with the bacon, it's a winning taste.

If I happen to have chives growing, and this year it's a bumper crop, I add them too, but they're optional if you want to leave them out.

Fiesta Rice Salad with House Special Dressing

Salad:

• 4 cups cooked cold rice
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup diced cooked bacon
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, cut in half
• 2 tbs fresh snipped chives (optional)
• House Special Dressing:
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 pkg Good Seasons Italian dressing mix
• 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 1 tbs sugar
• 1 tbs parsley
• 1/4 cup Parmesan Romano mixture
• 1 tbs water
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Mix all salad ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate.

Mix all dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Chill for at least 2 hours.

Mix desired amount of dressing into salad. Cover and chill if not serving immediately.

Serves 8

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