Candied Roasted Almond, Sunflower, Sesame seed and Brown Rice Salad

I made this incredible salad today.  I was using up brown rice from last night and was wanting to make a salad.  Each bite was exciting and different and all flavours blended so well.  It may sound like a weird combination however it was exciting!  Also it sounds like a lot of work, it really wasn't...took about 15 minutes to make.

Candied roasted almond, sunflower, sesame seed and Rice Salad.

-1/2 cup blanched almonds

-1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
-1/4 cup raw sesame seeds
-1/4 cup black raw sesame seeds
-2 tablespoons brown sugar
-1/4 cup red or white wine


-2 cups cooked brown rice
-1/2 granny smith apple chopped
-1/2 onion chopped
-1/4 cup pine nuts
-1/4 cup craisins
-1/4 cucumber
-a handful of pea shoots
-salt and pepper
-olive oil and balsamic vinegar to taste

-1 medium tomato chopped
-pinch of salt and pepper

On medium heat, add almonds and dry roast after a few minutes add the sunflower seeds and sesame seeds.  Continue to roast.  When they have become browned, add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and 1/4 cup of wine.  Stir and when all coated set aside to cool.

Mix together the rice, onion, granny smith apple, pine nuts, craisins, and cucumber together.  Leave the tomatoes aside as they make the salad soggy, top salad with the tomatoes.  When the seeds have cooled add them.  The pour olive oil and balsamic vinegar to taste.  mix well.