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The flavor of artichokes and green olives really stand out in this salad. The colorful tomatoes and spinach give the salad garden fresh taste and feta cheese adds a subtle briny flavor.

Artichoke Hearts, Green Olive and Rice Salad– 10 to12 servings

7 ounce package chicken flavored Rice-A-Roni
1/2 cup sliced green olives
12 ounce quartered and marinated artichoke hearts, reserve marinade
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
10 grape tomatoes, halved
2 cups baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Make Rice-A-Roni according to package directions. Cover and cool to room temperature. Add mayonnaise to reserved marinade (Don’t worry the dressing may have little lumps of mayonnaise but they will disappear when you add the dressing to the rice mixture). To rice: add green olives, artichoke hearts, grape tomatoes, baby spinach and feta cheese. Stir marinade dressing into rice mixture, cover and refrigerate overnight to let the flavors mingle. Enjoy!

Published in The News and Neighbor on February 10, 2016