Basmati Rice Salad

NOTE--added parsley to recipe.

Nice summer salad or whenever. I found it here: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/basmati_rice_salad_with_peas_mint_and_lemon/ Go to link for directions

Ingredients

Me--parsley and pine nuts are also good added to this

Rice:

• 2 cups uncooked basmati rice (which will yield 5 to 6 cups cooked rice)
• 3 cups water (or more, depending on the package instructions)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 2-inch strips of fresh lemon zest (use a vegetable peeler to take just the zest, not the whole peel, off of a fresh lemon)

Mix-ins:

•  2 cups of frozen peas (I just mix them in the hot rice once rice is done-cools the
•     rice faster and thaws the peas.
• 
  
• 1/4 cup golden raisins or currants, plumped in enough water to cover the raisins for 5 to 10 minutes, then drained (if your are dried out too much!)
• 1/2 cup minced green onions, including the greens (about 2 green onions)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest (lime is an alternative)
• 1 teaspoon finely minced fresh mint leaves (spearmint)
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice (lime is an alternative)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional---if you don't have lemon, a good sub is Italian dressing--mix to  taste. Parsley and pine nuts