Lemon-Herb Rice Salad

• 2 lemons
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups long-grain white rice
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons packed light brown sugar
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 medium carrot, shredded
• 1 Kirby cucumber, seeded and diced
• 1/2 cup chopped salted roasted peanuts
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh mint, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
• 1 bunch watercress, tough stems removed, leaves torn

1. Remove 2 wide strips zest from 1 lemon with a vegetable peeler.
2. Combine 1 strip zest with the vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook until the edges of the zest turn slightly golden, about 5 minutes.
3. Let the lemon oil cool.
4. Meanwhile, cook the rice as the label directs, adding the remaining strip lemon zest to the water.
5. Transfer the rice to a large bowl, discarding the zest, and fluff with a fork.
6. Let cool to room temperature.
7. Meanwhile, make the dressing: Juice both lemons into a medium bowl.
8. Add the vinegar, brown sugar, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and whisk until the sugar dissolves.
9. Discard the zest from the lemon oil, then whisk the oil into the dressing.
10. Add the onion slices and let marinate 15 minutes.
11. Add the carrot, cucumber, peanuts, cilantro, mint, basil and watercress to the bowl with the rice.
12. Add the dressing mixture and gently toss.
13. Photograph by Con Poulos

lemons, vegetable oil, longgrain white rice, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, kosher salt, red onion, carrot, cucumber, peanuts, fresh cilantro, fresh mint, fresh basil

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/lemon-herb-rice-salad-recipe.html (may not work)