Vegan Persian Rice Salad
A delicious, Persian style sweet and savoury salad based off almonds, raisins and fragrant basmati rice. Perfect eaten hot or cold, this salad is vegan, gluten free, dairy free, light and fresh- Perfect for any meal, especially a mother’s day brunch!
“The Persians invented Turkish Delight”
So I was tempted to name this post ‘Crapola my my mum says’ but I’m halfway across the world from her and she’d find a way to virtually chase me with a wooden spoon.
I don’t want to sound stereotypical here but statements like that is non uncommon amongst most members of my mum’s side of the family- How the Persians invented well….everything.
“This ice cream is SO good!” (Eaten in Little Italy)
“Persian ice cream is the best. They use real rosewater in it”
{The ice cream from Little Italy had REAL cream and REAL fruit}
“French Baguette bread doesn’t taste very good the day after. It’s like a rock”
“Persian baguettes can last a good week and still taste fresh!”
{Wrong. You can decapitate someone with a baguette in Iran}
“I could live off Lindt Chocolates if only they weren’t so expensive!”
“You should try Persian chocolates- It’s melt in your mouth!”
{In Iran, my sister and I broke our teeth eating the chocolate there. It was like decorative chocolate}
“Urgh, my school bag broke!” (My ‘Australian made’ bag)
“Persian bags never break. I’ve had this duffle bag for years!”
(It said MADE IN CHINA)
You get my point. Every complaint I had, every remark I had or every question I had- The Persians had one up on me.
While my mum’s claims stand unjustified for the most part, she still possesses a heart of (Persian sought after) gold and has always been that way. In honour of her and mother’s day, I’m sharing this Vegan Persian Rice salad.
This Persian Rice Salad is a flavour and texture lover’s dream. Flavour wise, it is sweet, salty, savoury and slightly spicy. Texture wise, it’s crunchy from the slightly salted almonds and chewy from the grated carrots and soft raisins. It’s incredibly versatile as it can be eaten hot or cold, with an entree or even on it’s own. Bonus- It’s completely vegan and gluten free so our bases are covered!
For the rice, I recommend you base it off my extra fluffy basmati rice as the coconut flavour compliments it well but that is optional. If not, this rice makes a great (and quick!) substitute!
Make this Vegan Persian Rice Salad and if it’s not delicious, your tastebuds aren’t Persian enough.
“Mum, I’m sharing a Persian rice salad in honour of mother’s day”
“I don’t like that salad. Why add raisins and almonds to rice?”
Thanks mum.
- 2 cups cooked basmati rice, cooled (I used my fluffy coconut basmati rice)
- 1/2 tsp saffron
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- pinch turmeric
- red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup golden raisins
- 1/4 cup slivered or whole smoked almonds
- Lemon juice to top (optional)
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled basmati rice and add the saffron, sea alt, turmeric and red pepper flakes and mix well.
- Stir through the shredded carrots, golden raisins and smoked almonds and mix until fully incorporated.
- Top with lemon juice and serve immediately.
- Salad can be kept in the fridge for up to 1 week.
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Satay Chicken Salad (Gluten Free, Paleo, Low Carb)
Does your family claim to be experts based on heritage?
Did the Persians invent Turkish delight?
Are you texture fan?
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Arman, this looks delicious! I will definitely make it soon.
Congratulations on your big adventure in the U.S…enjoy!
June
Thank you SO much for your kind words, June! 🙂
Bahaha your mom sounds awesome! I love that you’re sharing a Mother’s Day recipe…that she doesn’t even like.
But, I have to disagree with Momma on this one…almonds and raisins BELONG to rice like peanut butter to jelly.
You understand. Pinned!
Oh you know I do. Thanks buddy 😉
Gah silly Internet ate up my comment. I’d love to see your mom with my grandmother- it would be a massive showdown between India & Persia: Who created _____ first! This rice bowl looks so yum & actually reminds me of the Indian rice dish known as biryani. Although most of the time, biryani also includes some kind of meat, especially mutton.
Hahahaha oh we need to organise it!
I LOVE Biryani- Especially with the curry mixed in!
Hahahaha! I totally want to meet Mama Arman! The part about the bag made it China totally made me crack up laughing this morning. Well written post, mate! Also, I think you need to rename this recipe. I don’t see lettuce. This clearly isn’t a salad. Quit filling the interwebs with lies! 🙂
I know, I know. I hang my head in shame.
PS- Romaine is called COS lettuce. Was confused as hell earlier.
Yummy! LOL the China reference was the best!
Right? Thanks Cassie!
“It says made in China.” <–HAHA. Legit laughed out loud at that. This looks great, very unique!
Thanks love!
Your mom sounds like a real character! I’m glad you can laugh along, or at least I think you’re laughing along 🙂 I will have to disagree with her though on the salad. I think the raisin and almond addition is great!
Haha I just laugh and blissfully ignore it 😉
YES! Such great additions
Love this…all of it!
Of course you do- It was for you 😉
My family thinks they know EVERYTHING, but they do it all out of love….? haha. This looks delicious!
Hahaha right? Thanks Jess!
My mom would probably say that the Polish invented Turkish delight… or at least some better version of it 😆 I can’t even fault her for it, though, because a lot of foods DO taste better outside of North America. I have no idea what they’re doing to our food here, but it’s kind of scary to think about how many foods are banned in other countries and legal In the States…
Hahaha that wouldn’t surprise me- Polish cheese is delicious 😉
This is hilarious! Is your Mom chasing you with a wooden spoon virtually for that last comment? I love almond & raisins and they totally go with rice.
Hahaha she probably is! 😉 Thanks Megan!
Sounds delicious and I love your mom’s comment! You can always count on a mom for a dose of the truth! 😉
So true! Thanks Danielle!
Is it weird that I read all your Persian comments in Reza’s voice? (from Shahs of Sunset)
Also I laughed so hard at the thought of your mom chasing you with a wooden spoon! And this rice salad sounds delightful – spicy, sweet, salty – perfection!
I’m still so embarrassed lol! I thought you were a fan!
Thanks Sharon! 🙂
Lol don’t be embarrassed! I loved the show I just don’t have time to watch it. I’d get sucked into any Bravo show if I could.
I am a huge texture fan and I love the looks of this rice (without almonds since I am allergic 🙂
hahaha we can make yours with cashews or peanuts 😉
This mum says, “add as many almonds and raisins as you like, just save them for me!” 🙂 Love this Arman, your mom sounds like a wonderful and funny woman.
Thanks Linda! she really is 🙂
See, now THIS is my kind of salad.
And while my mom isn’t nearly as funny as yours, she does go on quite a tangent about “fat free” foods a lot. Its annoying as hell.
Fat free foods are less calories!
Fat free foods are better for you!
You won’t get fat from fat free foods!
Oh my gosh mom do you know its 2015 and that “fat free” crazy was like, 10 years ago?!
Urgh. The damn fat free shenanigans!
I have no idea who invented Turkey delight for real, but I tried to make it once in college and failed miserably. That was also in my hot-pocket-turkey-sandwich days, so I guess I can’t really blame myself.
ohhh Turkish delight or Turkey Delight? Turkish Delight is a dessert 🙂
I am so making this. as soon as I cat EAT again (had a massive dental surgery today, guh). I will have this waiting for me in a few days…
OMG! No wonder I saw that grilled cheese question- The answer is YES!
I have this for lunch at work whenever the kitchen sends it to us! Instead of rice, they use couscous but it’s just as good! Thanks for the recipe! My family is Polish so whenever I asked my mom for new socks because mine were only holes, she gave me the newspaper…
Glad you enjoyed it with couscous!
This looks like a perfect combo and all staples I have on hand!
Thanks Melanie! 🙂
You post made me smile!!! You mom sounds amazing and so fun. And this rise? Amazing just as well!! I’m loving everything about it and I’m thinking this is something my whole family will love. Tell your mom that a family in San Diego is loving the recipe!!
Kim!!! We have relatives in San Diego and San Jose- I’ll make her personally come and make it for you guys 🙂
This sounds wonderful, Arman. I love the sound of this side…perfect for Mother’s Day or any day…this would go with so many dishes.
Thank you Catherine 🙂
Pinning this 🙂 It’s clearly taste and texture! One cannot succeed without the other!
What a good son you are! My mum doesn’t give me any room for creativity either. She texted me the other day that for Mother’s Day she wants a cake filled with pudding. Okay mum, challenge accepted – not that I had any chance 😛
And expertise based on heritage? Sure! Beer 😉
Please do- It really is delicious! You need to make that cake!
Love your repping of the Persian roots here, Arman! That’s a dish I know all too well thanks to my mom and grandmother as well, and you’ve really taken it up a notch! 🙂
Mate, I had no idea you were Persian too!!!!
This looks so good! I love the addition of almonds and raisins! And I’m giggling at your mom – she sounds like a riot! 🙂
Hahaha thanks Kelly! she’s alright 😉
Holy flavor Batman! This rice salad looks so legit! Can’t wait to try it out!
Please do, Chris!
Who invented Turkish Delight? I’m not touching that one, no way. Passions run way too high.
When my spouse returned from his last Iraq deployment he was raving about some rice dish with almonds and raisins that he’d eat when meeting with local officials. He got a rough recipe from one of his translators, but it wasn’t enough for me to make it.
Thanks for this, Aunty Arman!
Hahahaha, that’s a smart way to go about it!
Ohhhh I think this would be very similar- Trust the Iraq VS Iran contest over a rice dish! 🙂
Oh wow! Everything I love is here – basmati rice, raisins, almonds…..I can almost taste it! Definitely adding to my must-try list! 🙂
No joke, I bought a chorizo sausage today. I wonder why 😉
I love the combo of flavors in here. Nice vegan healthy salad that I could eat any day of the week. My kind of food.
Thanks so much, Miryam- Definitely good to have on hand for easy lunches…after some cheeky no bake bars 😉
And I adore this recipe, even the raisins and I’m not a huge raisin girl. I can see why they’d work wonderfully here though especially with the crunch of the almonds and the shredded carrots. I need to make this stat!
oh God. I just added raisins to the meatless meatballs and was about to message you saying ‘It’s a meg recipe!’
Very much want this. When I get back to New York, we should have a potluck…if that works with two people.
I’m not even going to talk about the egocentricism of Asian culture…
LOL. Omg I just imagined that. And we getting annoyed because you turn up with a banana and a jar of peanut butter.
I always tell my son, Mother’s are the best, and always right 🙂 The recipe sounds delish and your photos are awesome! ~ Cheers
Hahahaha My mum would echo you in a second! Thanks Lindy!
How many servings does this make?
Hi Sarah! I have a pretty big appetite so can eat this over 2 or so meals, it can serve 4 as a side dish 🙂
I didn’t have saffron so I used about 1 tsp of curry powder instead. I also added a can of chickpeas for some extra protein. Turned out great. Next time I may add more raisins and almonds.
Melissa, those changes sound delicious- I have a chickpea rice salad with curry to share soon but you’ve one upped me- Love it 😀
I cannot afford saffron. Is there an alternate spice that can be used?
Hi Kristi! Definitely add a dash of turmeric powder if you can 🙂
I just discovered your blog and have been reading it and going through your recipes for the last hour – love it!! Seriously, all of it! Trying this Persian rice tomorrow and then move on to all the delicious looking desserts. Can’t wait! 🙂
Thanks so much, Rebecca- Enjoy!
Seriously this looks so good, i can’t wait to try it! But I have the silliest remark ever I think: I can’t find the recipe…? I see so many wonderful photo’s but no recipe nor list of ingredients? What am I missing? Please help me! xxx
Right – something totally spooky is going on but the recipe just reappeared after refreshing the page a couple of times..So weird! But more importantly: I am going to make this a.s.a.p.! Thank you so much for this great post! (and all your other mouthwatering recipes…;-))
😀 😀
I made this just as instructed by you, also using the fluffy coconut basmati rice { sooo nice }. I used pecans as I had no sliced almonds and added home made bacon flavoured coconut. Ate this on a rocket/ arugula salad with falafel and yogurt sauce. Thank you so much for your dinner inspiration. DELICIOUS.
That sounds fabulous, Mike!