Summer foods are not typically my favorite. While everyone else is enjoying ribs and corn on the cob, I  miss pumpkin flavored everything and casseroles. However, if I have to pick a perfect summer dish, it would be rice salad. This is a side dish created by my mom as we were on our way to a summer cook out. It has great flavor and sits well outside in summer temperatures. 

For this dish you will need:

1 box of chicken flavored Rice A Roni

1 1/2 cups diced celery (3 ribs)

1 1/2 cups of diced carrots (about 3)

4 green onions, chopped

1 large tomato, chopped

1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed

1/2 cup Italian salad dressing  

 

 Cook the Rice A Roni according to the package directions.

Cut all the vegetables about the same size. The tomatoes break down a bit in the dressing, so cut them a little bigger.

Chop them so they look like this:

When the rice is tender, let it cool before adding it to the vegetable mixture.

When the rice has cooled combine the vegetables, rice and salad dressing. The salad is great right away, but tastes best when it sits in the fridge for 6 to 8 hours.

   Serve and enjoy!