This colorful Mediterranean rice salad is a great summertime dish. I used fresh zucchini, carrots, and bell peppers, but you can add any vegetable you like. Replace rice with couscous, farro, or barley, if you prefer.
Prep Time::20 mins
Cook Time::23 mins
Total Time::43 mins
Servings::4
Yield::4 servings
Ingredients
4 cups water
2 cups uncooked white rice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon herb salt
1 tablespoon chopped capers
1 sprig fresh parsley, chopped
½ lemon, zested
3 zucchini, peeled and grated
2 carrots, peeled and grated
½ yellow bell pepper, cut into cubes
½ red bell pepper, cut into cubes
1 lemon, juiced
salt to taste
Directions
Bring water and rice to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and pour enough cold water on top of the cooked rice to cover it. Stir to cool. Drain well; transfer rice into a bowl. Stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with herb salt.
Mix capers, parsley, and lemon zest in a small bowl; add to rice. Mix in zucchini, carrots, yellow bell pepper, and red bell pepper. Season with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.
Cook’s Note
Making homemade herb salt in a blender or food processor is easy. Grind 1 pinch coarse sea salt with 3 to 4 leaves of fresh herbs, such as basil, sage, mint, thyme, or rosemary.