Basmati Rice Salad

Ingredients

1 cup brown Basmati rice, rinsed	1 TB curry powder
2 cups water	½ tsp powdered ginger or 2-3 tsp. finely grated fresh ginger
1 tsp. sesame oil	2 celery stalks, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced - optional	½ cup dried currants
1 small red onion, diced	4 scallions thinly sliced
1 Tart Granny Smith apple, cored and diced	Fresh parsley, chopped and grated carrot
½ cup organic, unsalted almonds	Pinch of unrefined sea salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Arrange slivered almonds on a cookie sheet. Lightly toast in oven until lightly browned, about 8-10 minutes. Set almonds aside to cool. Heat oil in a deep skillet, over medium heat. Add garlic and onion and cook about 3 minutes. Stir in curry powder and ginger and cook, stirring 2 minutes more. Stir in the rice. Slowly stir in water and bring to a boil. Add salt, cover, and cook over low heat 40 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in nuts, carrots, celery, apple, currants, and scallions. Just before serving, stir in dressing. Serve warm or cool.

Dressing (or use a bottled dressing)

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Dash soy sauce or Tamari
2 TB. umeboshi vinegar or balsamic vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
1 TB brown rice syrup
2 TB Dijon Mustard
1-2 cloves garlic, minced

Warm oil and soy sauce gently in a small saucepan over low heat 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk oil mixture with ingredients until blended.