Cold Bac'n Rice Salad

My mom often made this delicious (and easy!) cold rice salad for picnics when I was a kid back in the 80's. It was always one of my favorites! I've doctored it up over the years, and here is my version. I use brown rice and Lite Italian dressing (or a homemade vinaigrette) to make it more figure-friendly, but its still as tasty. Try adding additional vegetables or various fruits and nuts - depending on your favorite flavors and combinations. Cook time is fridge time. And this recipe is written for four, but it can be easily tweaked to make for a party or even as a quick side dish for dinner for two. My family loves it! (Even my 2-year old). I hope you all do, too.

• Ready In: 4 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2  cups  uncooked rice (brown rice works as well as white in this recipe!)
• 1 (14 1/2ounce) can low sodium chicken broth (or the flavor of your choice)
• 1⁄3 cup imitation bacon bits
• 3 -5  green onions, depending on size of the onions & your taste, sliced into rounds (including the green tops)
• 2  small carrots, sliced into thin coins (or 1 large one)
• 1  stalk celery, chopped fine
• 1⁄3 cup romaine lettuce, cut into small bite-size strips
• 1  cup  Italian dressing (may use more or less, according to your taste)
•  fresh lemon juice
•  fresh parsley
•  fresh ground pepper

Directions

1. Cook rice according to package directions, substituting broth for water.
2. Once rice is finished - while still warm, mix with green onions (to wilt them a little), a squeeze of lemon juice, and dressing.
3. After cooled, add in the rest of the veggies & sprinkle with bacon bits (and nuts, if using). Toss well.
4. Let set in the fridge for a few hours before serving so the flavors can meld together. Best if settled overnight. The longer the salad rests, the better it is!
5. Serve on top of a bed of lettuce & garnish with fresh parsley and ground pepper.
6. *(Salt can be added, although I've found that the bacon bits and Italian dressing are enough for us!).
7. *Red peppers, sliced mushrooms, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, frozen thawed peas or the sugar snap variety, raisins, mandarin oranges, and toasted pecans or almonds would make great additions to this salad. I prefer the original, but add whatever you like!