Forbidden Rice — Black Rice

Black rice, kale with arami and salad. (Photo: Margarita Persico)

By Margarita Persico

Unknown to the West, but once forbidden in the East, black rice was known as the Emperor’s Rice. It was prohibited to everyone else but royalty. Black rice was believed to be superior.

According to Zhimin Xu, PhD, associate professor of food science at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center in a news release describes this rice as very nourishing, high in fiber, vitamins and minerals.

“Just a spoonful of black rice bran contains more health promoting anthocyanin antioxidants than are found in a spoonful of blueberries, but with less sugar and more fiber and vitamin E antioxidants,” said Xu.

The first time I used this rice was over 6 years ago. I didn’t eat it, but instead used the powder rice mixed with yogurt as a facial exfoliant. Perhaps a vain use of such precious rice, but that was my first introduction to this rice. And ever since that beauty presentation at a local health food store, I’ve been cooking with this rice. I love the nutty flavor and the rich purplish/burgundy color, which gives a dramatic flair to any dish—an elegant culinary addition.

There is no science to preparing this rice. I cook this rice like I cook any short grain brown rice. I serve with Arami Kale and a salad. Below are two (2) recipes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Forbidden Black Rice

Ingredients

• 2 cups Chinese black rice
• 3 – 3 1/2 cups broth or water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper (during cooking process)
• Olive oil
• 2 Shallots – sliced
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper (at end)

Instructions

1. Soak rice for 4 to 6 hours or over night.
2. Drain and discard water.
3. In a heavy stainless steel pan add olive oil, sauté shallots and garlic.
4. Add the rice and broth or water and add the remaining ingredients.
5. Once liquid comes to a boil, cover and cook at low temperature until done. It will take about 40 – 60 minutes to cook.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Forbidden Rice blend

Ingredients

• 1 cup Black and mahogany rice blend
• 1-cup basmati brown rice
• 1-tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon Bell’s Turkey Seasoning

Instructions

Cook as above

Don’t miss a beat, LIKE our Facebook Page, click here:

And subscribe to The Healthy Dish on top right corner of this page: ‘Get “The Dish” in your inbox.’

Cheers to good health!

Notes:

• All writing and photography on The Healthy Dish is Copyright  © 2003-2012 unless indicated otherwise. All rights reserved.
• The information provided is for educational purposes only. We have been cooking for decades, but most contributors are not chefs or doctors!
• If you have a health concern you should seek your health-care provider’s advice .
• See our policy in the About Page.