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Persian Rice Salad

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 22, 2007

Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Persian Rice Salad

Ingredients

1 ½ teaspoons table salt 1 cup long grain white rice 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon grated orange zest 2 tablespoons orange juice 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 4 scallions, chopped¾ cup chopped dates, chopped raisins or currants¾ cup shelled pistachios, toasted and chopped¼ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Before You Begin

Serve with grilled leg of lamb or grilled chicken.

Instructions

  1. Bring 3 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add salt and rice. Return to boil and cook uncovered until rice is tender but not soft, 8 to 11 minutes. Drain rice, then spread on rimmed baking sheet to cool down quickly. When cooled, transfer to large serving bowl.
  2. Whisk together lemon juice, cinnamon, orange zest and juice, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add scallions, dates, pistachios, parsley, and dressing to bowl with rice and toss to combine. Let stand until flavors blend, about 20 minutes.
Persian Rice Salad

Persian Rice Salad

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

1 ½ teaspoons table salt
1 cup long grain white rice
1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 tablespoons orange juice
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 scallions, chopped
¾ cup chopped dates, chopped raisins or currants
¾ cup shelled pistachios, toasted and chopped
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Ingredients

1 ½ teaspoons table salt
1 cup long grain white rice
1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 tablespoons orange juice
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 scallions, chopped
¾ cup chopped dates, chopped raisins or currants
¾ cup shelled pistachios, toasted and chopped
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Ingredients

1 ½ teaspoons table salt
1 cup long grain white rice
1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 tablespoons orange juice
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 scallions, chopped
¾ cup chopped dates, chopped raisins or currants
¾ cup shelled pistachios, toasted and chopped
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Why This Recipe Works

We were inspired by the dates and pistachios used in Persian cuisine; they add color and texture to the rice.

Before You Begin

Serve with grilled leg of lamb or grilled chicken.

Instructions

  1. Bring 3 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add salt and rice. Return to boil and cook uncovered until rice is tender but not soft, 8 to 11 minutes. Drain rice, then spread on rimmed baking sheet to cool down quickly. When cooled, transfer to large serving bowl.
  2. Whisk together lemon juice, cinnamon, orange zest and juice, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add scallions, dates, pistachios, parsley, and dressing to bowl with rice and toss to combine. Let stand until flavors blend, about 20 minutes.

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