Hello, dear friends! Today I had the most delightful midday reprieve. With the kiddos out enjoying the summer sunshine, I found myself quite alone in the kitchen. Now, this is a rare occurrence in the Janssen household, let me tell you! But it gave me the perfect opportunity to whip up something quick and fresh just for myself.

Inspiration struck as I perused our well-stocked fridge, my eyes landing on leftover rice from last night’s dinner (a fabulous chicken stir-fry – perhaps I’ll share that recipe another time!). I also spotted a few limes, adding a pop of color and an idea began to form. What could be better than a refreshing lime-infused rice salad? A dash of crunch from some walnuts and voila! A perfect lunch for one was born.

As I sat down to this delightful dish, I couldn’t help but remember little Emily’s first piano recital. She was so nervous, her tiny hands trembling as she took the stage. To calm her nerves, we made rice pudding together, an old family recipe. The simple act of stirring the pot and watching the creamy dessert come together seemed to soothe her jittery nerves. And you know what? She played beautifully that day. It’s moments like these that turn simple ingredients like rice into something more – a memory, a comfort, a tradition.

Now onto this zesty and quick recipe. You’ll need:

– 1 cup of cooked rice
– 2 limes
– A handful of walnuts
– Olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste

Here’s what you do:

1. Start by toasting your walnuts lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat. Keep an eye on them – they can go from toasty to burnt very quickly!

2. Once they’re nicely browned, take them out of the skillet and let them cool.

3. In a bowl, mix your cooked rice with the juice of one lime and a drizzle of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Roughly chop your toasted walnuts and add them to the rice.

5. Mix everything well and taste. If you like it tangier, don’t hesitate to add more lime juice!

6. Serve your salad in a nice dish and enjoy this moment for yourself.

There you have it, my dear readers! A light and refreshing lunch that takes less than 15 minutes to prepare. Enjoy this salad as you enjoy these summer days – slowly and with appreciation. Until next time, happy cooking!