Brown Rice Salad with Orange Dressing (Dairy, Gluten and Sugar Free)

With the summer heat already here, I am always looking for salads to serve.  I wanted one that would be hearty and can be eaten as a meal.  I decided to work with some new flavours and loved how it turned out.  We ate it warm but it can also be eaten cold.  Yum!  I will definitely be making this again soon.

Ingredients (serves 4-6 side dishes)

• 2 1/2 cups cooked brown rice (1 1/4 cups uncooked rice)
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil for frying
• 1 minced shallot
• 1 glove minced garlic
• 1 juice from an orange
• cut of pieces of orange that was juiced (optional)
• 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 Belgian endive
• 1 head of broccoli, florets only
• 1/2 sweet red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds (optional)

Directions

1. In a skillet heat oil and fry shallots and garlic for 2-3 minutes. 
2. In a large bowl combine shallots, garlic, juice, orange pieces, rice vinegar, oil, sea salt, endive, broccoli, peppers and sesame seeds.
3. Add brown rice to bowl and stir to fully combine.
4. Serve warm or cold.