Recycled Rice Salad – mackerel, beans and coriander

Having over-ordered with the previous night’s Indian (something CC is inclined to do) I was left with a full portion of plain basmati rice. Brushing aside all concerns from LB that eating leftover rice was a health hazard/asking for trouble/certain death, I took it to work the next day still in its plastic tub. I also transported it in the ‘classic blue’ as Gigi used to call them carrier bag, but of course…

Technically it’s not a cornershop but there is a Sainsburys Local at the end of the street of the gallery where I spend half my life, ergo I spend a lot of time in said shop, but at least it’s not Tescos. Anyway I went in with a cornershop mentality, channelling our days on Redchurch Street where we really did only have the cornershop fare to work some magic on. It was either that or the petrol station, but I digress. One old tried and trusted ingredient which is to be found anywhere and is proverbially, and likely literally, bombproof is the tin of mackerel fillets. It’s an oily fish so good for you, and it tastes good and can be a versatile little number. They often come with a tomato sauce and this is my favourite version as guess what, a lot of the hard work has again already been done for you, so it’s half the battle won.

Next I NEARLY went for my other hands down classic favourite ingredient, a can of niblets sweetcorn, but this being Sainsbury’s they also had a can of mixed beans, kidney, borlotti, chickpea kind of mix, which I thought was a bit more of a grown up and adventurous option.

So far I had two cans in my hand so it was time for the token fresh item. Coriander! Now I guess it does depend on your cornershop, and some will definitely be better than others, but I think if you live anywhere near an Asian or Middle Eastern community then you will have exciting ingredients like this to choose from…if not more…so I am going to let myself off this cheat/Sainsbury’s digression. OK?

So that’s it! Just three ingredients, and under three quid.

Back at gallery I swiftly transfer rice to salad bowl and mix in mackerel and then beans then chopped coriander.

It’s completely delicious.

I didn’t get food poisoning.