Dinner tonight! Rice salad with shrimp and arugula

Rice salad takes a colorful turn with cooked small shrimp, fresh arugula, tomatoes, minced red onion and toasted pine nuts. The whole dish comes together in about 45 minutes. /

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Rice salad with shrimp and arugula

Total time: 45 minutes

Servings: 6 to 8

2 cups medium-grain rice, such as Arborio

Salt

3 tablespoons good-quality olive oil

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided

1/2 pound cooked small shrimp (about 1 1/2 cups)

1/4 cup minced red onion

1 cup diced tomato

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 1/2 cups torn arugula, loosely packed

3 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

1. Bring a large pot of liberally salted water to a rolling boil. Stir in the rice and return the water to a boil; reduce the heat to maintain a rapid simmer. Cook until the rice is tender, 15 minutes. Drain the rice in a strainer and rinse quickly in cool running water. Line a large mixing bowl with a tea towel and empty the rice into it. Fold the tea towel over the top of the rice and set aside to cool, about 5 minutes.

2. When the rice has cooled slightly, add the olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and salt to taste, stirring lightly with a fork to avoid crushing the tender rice grains. (The rice can be prepared to this point a day ahead and refrigerated in a tightly covered container. Bring to room temperature before proceeding.)

3. When almost ready to serve, combine the shrimp, red onion and tomato in a medium bowl and season with red wine vinegar and one-fourth teaspoon salt, or to taste.

4. Add the shrimp mixture to the rice along with the arugula and pine nuts. Stir to combine well, taste and add more salt or lemon juice if necessary. (The recipe can be prepared to this point up to 30 minutes in advance.)

5. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve at room temperature.

Each of 8 servings: 300 calories; 10 grams protein; 45 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram fiber; 8 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 55 mg. cholesterol; 139 mg. sodium.