With summer in full swing – the heat is on!
Salads are great in this weather but sometimes we crave a change – something light and tasty and Asian inspired really fits the bill.
The Watercress Company with farms in Hampshire and Dorset has combined fresh in-season British watercress with a range of southeast Asian ingredients and influences to create a collection of mouth-watering recipes. Packed full of healthy watercress with its powerful peppery kick and over 50 vital vitamins and minerals, and ingredients like chilli, ginger, turmeric, and coriander that actually cool the body, these dishes are ideal for warm days and evenings, providing an exotic taste of the East.
This Vegan Smoked Soy Spicy Rice Bowl with Watercress & Roast Vegetables is perfect for summer dinner parties or just dining a deux.
Serves 2
Prep time: 10mins
Cook time: 30mins
Ingredients
250g white rice, we used basmati
60g watercress, chopped
1 tbsp smoked soy sauce
2tsp tomato puree
1tsp cayenne pepper
Salt, pepper & olive oil
2 carrots, cut into batons
1 bell pepper, sliced
1 red onion, chopped
200g cherry tomatoes
Sesame oil
Sesame seeds & Spring onion – optional, to serve
Method
Heat the oven to 180°. On a baking tray, arrange the carrots and drizzle with a little olive oil salt and pepper, roast for 7 mins alone, then add the rest of the veg* to the tray with the carrots and roast for 20mins
Cook the rice per pack instructions.
In a wok, heat a little sesame oil before adding the rice, soy sauce, tomato puree and cayenne pepper. Toss to coat the rice completely, then add the chopped watercress and cook for 30 seconds.
Serve the rice in a bowl and top with the roasted vegetables. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced spring onion, if using.
*You could use whatever vegetables you have; mushrooms and squash would also be great with this spicy rice recipe.
This summer, look east for inspiration and enjoy the flavours of the Orient with a British twist provided by fresh, green, peppery watercress. Healthy, tasty and cool – perfect for warm summer nights.
For any of the more unusual Asian ingredients look on www.thewasabicompany.co.uk
To find out more about the health benefits of watercress, visit www.thewatercresscompany.com or for more recipe inspiration go to www.watercress.co.uk or https://www.facebook.com/LoveWatercress/ or https://www.instagram.com/lovewatercress/
Photography by Lara Jane Thorpe
