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Savory Black Rice served
Nutritious and healthy black rice side dish

Savory Black Rice Side Dish

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Vegetarian & Vegan Dishes Side Dishes
'Forbidden Rice' gets its dark purple-black hue from anthocyanins, the same antioxidants found in blueberries. The bran on this rice variety is thicker and tougher than white rice, so it retains a pleasant chewiness after cooking, with a flavor reminiscent of fresh bread and hazelnuts.
🕒 Prep Time 1 hr 10 mins
🍳 Cook Time 45 mins
⌛ Total Time 1 hr 55 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 520 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Asian / Gourmet

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Bowl for soaking
  • Heavy pot
  • Cutting board

Instructions

1 ✓

Rinse the rice, then soak in cold water for at least 1 hour. Drain well.

Tip: Soaking softens the fibrous bran, reducing cooking time.
2 ✓

Sauté the chopped onion in the oil until translucent, then add the crushed garlic at the very end.

Tip: This aromatic base provides depth to the dish.
3 ✓

Add the drained rice, bay leaf, and pepper. Stir to coat the grains in the onion oil.

Tip: Toasting the rice briefly helps the grains stay separate later.
4 ✓

Pour in the water, add salt, and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer on very low heat for about 40 minutes.

Tip: Do not lift the lid; steam is essential for softening the tough grains.
5 ✓

Turn off the heat and let it rest, covered, for 10 minutes before serving.

Tip: Resting allows the moisture to redistribute evenly throughout the rice.

Recipe FAQ

Why soak it?
Black rice bran is very tough. Soaking allows water to penetrate the grain, ensuring even cooking.
The water turned purple.
This is natural; anthocyanins are water-soluble. Don't worry, it's just natural coloring.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups Black Rice (Forbidden Rice)
  • 3 cups Water
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1.5 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 1 small Onion
  • 1 leaf Bay Leaf
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper