THE $5 CHEF : Wild About Rice

This very easy $5 meal for four uses rice as the economical base for a delicious salad. For a change of flavor, try mixing long-grain rice with California wild rice. Slightly nutty in flavor, wild rice is not true rice but rather the seeds of a Native American aquatic grass.

The dish can be embellished with leftover turkey and any favorite vegetables. If your turkey’s gone, look for low-priced whole-body California chickens (or legs and thighs) on special for about 59 cents per pound. For dessert, buy a pound of your favorite seasonal fruit; for pricing purposes, I’ve figured on pears.

EASY EXOTIC RICE SALAD

1/2 cup wild rice

2 1/2 cups water

Salt

1/2 cup long-grain rice

1/3 cup nonfat plain yogurt

1 clove garlic, pressed

1 small piece ginger root, pressed or finely chopped

1/4 heaping teaspoon curry powder, or to taste

1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced

1/2 cup raisins

1/4 cup almonds, chopped, optional

1/4 finely chopped cup red onion, or 3 green onions, finely chopped

2 cups cooked meat or poultry, shredded or chopped, optional

Salt, pepper

Shredded lettuce or cabbage leaves, optional

2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro or parsley

Combine wild rice, water and salt in pot, bring to boil, cover and simmer 10 minutes. Add long-grain rice and cook another 20 to 25 minutes or until done. Let stand 5 minutes and cool.

Mix yogurt, garlic, ginger and curry powder in small bowl. Combine cooled rice, cucumber, raisins, almonds, red onion and meat in large bowl. Add yogurt mixture and mix. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve on shredded lettuce or in cabbage leaves, garnished with chopped cilantro or parsley. Makes 4 servings.

Note : If only long-grain rice is used, omit 10 minutes extra cooking time.

COST

Wild rice and long-grain rice: 50 cents

1 cucumber: 33 cents

Onion: 20 cents

Chicken: 3 pounds at 59 cents for $1.77

Yogurt: 30 cents

Raisins and almonds: 50 cents

Pears: 50 cents

Lettuce and cilantro: 55 cents

Ginger, garlic and curry powder: 35 cents

Total: $5.00