Basmati Rice Salad with Peas, Mint, and Lemon Recipe

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 45 minutes Yield: Serves 8.

Save time by prepping ingredients while the rice is cooking.

Sprinkle with some toasted cashews to the salad for added crunch.

Ingredients 2 cups uncooked basmati rice (which will yield 5 to 6 cups cooked rice) 3 cups water (or more, depending on the package instructions) 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 2-inch strips of fresh lemon zest (use a vegetable peeler to take just the zest, not the whole peel, off of a fresh lemon) 2 cups shelled English peas (from about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of shell-on peas), or 2 cups of frozen peas Salted water for blanching (1 quart water, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt) 1/4 cup golden raisins or currants, plumped in enough water to cover the raisins for 5 to 10 minutes, then drained 1/2 cup minced green onions, including the greens (about 2 green onions) 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest 1 teaspoon finely minced fresh mint leaves (spearmint) 2 Tbsp lemon juice 1/4 cup olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt

Method

1 Cook the rice according to package instructions; include salt in the cooking water along with 2 strips of lemon zest.

2 If using fresh peas, blanch them in boiling salted water for 3 to 4 minutes, depending on the size and freshness of the peas (larger older peas will take longer than smaller fresher peas). Strain peas from blanching water and place in a bowl of ice water to shock them and stop the cooking, then strain. If using frozen peas, they are already blanched, so defrost them by placing them in a strainer and running lukewarm water over them for a minute.

3 Once the rice is cooked, spread the rice out on a large baking sheet pan to cool quickly. Let cool for 10 minutes, or until room temperature. Place in a large serving bowl.

4 To the rice add the peas, raisins, green onions, mint, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Toss to combine and serve.

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Links:

Brown Rice Salad with Olives, Peppers, and Peas- from Kalyn’s Kitchen

Sesame Rice Salad with Peas & Carrots- from Albion Cooks

Risi e Bisi, Italian Rice and Peas- here on Simply Recipes

Simple Peas and Onions- here on Simply Recipes