Even the name Persian Rice sounds exotic.
It tastes as good as it sounds! The cinnamon is the key ingredient. Easy to make and easy to pair with just about anything grilled.
Tip : You can also purchased pre-cooked rice to make this salad.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup cooked rice
- 3/4 cup salted cashews coarsely chopped
- 3/4 cup dates pitted and chopped
- 1/3 red onion finely chopped or 3-4 scallions, finely sliced
- 2 whole scallions thinly sliced
Dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 medium lemon juiced zest and juice
- 1 tspn honey
- 1/2 tspn cinnamon
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Garnish
- 4-5 sprigs fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients before starting recipe.
- Add 1 1/2 cup cooked rice to a medium bowl.
- Coarsely chop 3/4 cup dates and 3/4 cup salted cashews and set aside.
- Slice 2 whole scallions, or 1/3 red onion finely chopped and set aside.
- Mix together 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 medium lemon juiced, 1 tspn honey, and 1/2 tspn cinnamon in a separate bowl, stir to combine.
- Add chopped dates, cashews, onions and 4-5 sprigs fresh cilantro chopped to rice and toss gently to combine,
- Add dressing to rice mix, mix well and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Serve at room temperature.
What about adding Garbanzo beans?
Hi Becky,
Thanks for reaching out to me. You could substitute the rice with the garbanzo beans if you love them, or even add the beans. Personally, I think that the garbanzo beans are too similar in texture to the dates and cashews in the salad already. Plus, the rice is lighter and more likely to absorb the dressing a little better. But, let me know how it works with the beans if you try it!
This sounds yum..what could I use instead of dates?
Hi Rab, either light or dark raisins or a mix would be delicious.
I made this recipe for a friend’s BBQ and it is so good! The dates with the cashews work so well with the dressing. Easy to make and is tasty the next day if any leftover. 💛