Moroccan Forbidden Rice Salad – Brain Health Kitchen

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 2 cups forbidden rice (also called black rice, rinsed)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice (plus 1 tablespoon lemon zest)
• 1 3/4 cups cooked chickpeas (or one 15-ounce can, rinsed)
• 2/3 cup chopped pitted Medjool dates (about 6 total)
• 1/2 cup pistachios (salted or unsalted) (toasted, plus more to garnish)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro (plus leaves to garnish)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped scallions (white parts only)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
• freshly ground pepper (to taste)