Rice and roasted veggies salad

  It's not a secret the fact that I turn everything into a salad and that I always look for new ways to eat the same old ingredients. So here's another one! And if the weather is too hot to turn on the oven, grill the veggies on the barbecue - even better!

Ingredients (serves 4-6)
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 1 cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 broccoli, cut into florets
- 1 zucchini, cut in half lengthwise then sliced
- 150 g mushrooms, sliced
- 3 Tablespoons pepitas (pumpkin seeds), toasted
- 2 Tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper
- extra virgin olive oil
- vegetable oil
Vinaigrette:
- 1 garlic clove, mashed
- 3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon oregano
- salt and pepper to taste

  Preheat oven at 375F. Spray a baking sheet with oil and place the cauliflower and broccoli florets in a single layer. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Bake for about 25 minutes or until a fork pierces through the stems easily and the florets start to get some golden-brown edges.
  Place the mushroom slices in a bowl and drizzle with some vegetable oil, toss to coat evenly then place mushroom in a baking pan and roast them in the oven, next to the cauliflower and broccoli, stirring once or twice during cooking time.
  Do the same with the zucchinis. I like to roast the veggies in separate pans as they do not take the same time to cook and I can also control the level of crispness for each.
  Meanwhile, place the rice in a pot with a tight fitting lid and cover with plenty of water. Add a teaspoon of sea salt and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Taste and if rice is boiled (it depends on the type of rice), place it in a strainer and quickly rinse with cold water then let rice drain completely.
  Prepare the vinaigrette by combining all ingredients.
 To assemble the salad, combine the rice with the roasted veggies, pepitas and sesame seeds and and dress it with the vinaigrette. Adjust seasoning to your taste and don't forget to bring your appetite! Enjoy!

                           Bracelet and earrings: Beblue