Black Rice – Is It Still Forbidden? Enjoy 9 Healthy And Easy Black Rice Recipes

Black Rice – A superfood which has been cultivated in few parts of India from a very long time became forbidden because of its health benefits and high nutritional values. This is called “Irony and Diplomacy”. Irony because if this superfood has been consumed by masses, Antioxidant like anthocyanins which is present at the outside hull of the grain, dietary fibers and minerals like copper and iron would have given health to a lot of people.

Diplomacy because after knowing the benefits of black rice, Ancient Chinese Emperor reserved its consumption and production to themselves and did not allow it to reach the masses.

Finally, the forbidden rice is back. The world knows the secret but at a price as cultivation is restricted to small areas distributed thought-out Asia. India – the land of agriculture has fortunately grown this purple rice in Manipur region.

Also known as ‘Chak Hao‘ in local dialect ‘chak hao tann’ and ‘chak hao amubi’ are a must have dishes during the festivals in Manipur. It’s priced approx Rs 300 per kg but it’s highly recommended to include in your diet to harness its benefits. (Read the benefits)

Once you know the health advantages of Black Rice, You will check for “Where can I Buy Black Rice – so here you go”. As soon as forbidden black rice is at your home you will definitely search for “How to Cook Black rice” So don’t worry – Our Home Cook and Author of Oriyarasoi – Sweta Biswal has shared amazing recipes of black rice from the main course till the dessert.

“While the rich nutty flavor works well with desserts, it makes salads or risottos amazingly exotic and tasty. As it can turn out to be a bit too earthy when eaten on its own, the flavor of black rice needs careful balancing with the ingredients.

Coconut and brown sugar are the ingredients that go beautifully well with this rice variety. But a word of caution, though. The color can stain your dress so make sure to cover up while cooking a batch!” says Sweta Biswal who has been experimenting with this forbidden rice for quite some time.

Here are easy, healthy and quick Black Rice recipes which you can make and enjoy at your home.

Healthy And Easy Black Rice Recipes

1. Black Rice Sun-Dried-Tomatoes Salad

Salads make life easy and healthy. The earthy flavor of Spinach gets into the black rice along with caramelized Pumpkin and sundried tomatoes to add a zesty sourness. The exotic dish will stop your craving for calorie-filled junks. Click for the recipe – Black Rice Sun-Dried-Tomatoes Salad

Pumpkin, Black Rice And Sun Dried Tomatoes Salad

Recipe by Sweta Biswal

This gourmet salad is my choice for a savory side at a Holiday feast. It boasts of a melange of flavors ( imagine the earthy flavor of spinach, the nuttiness of the black rice, the sweetness of the caramelized pumpkin and the tartness of the sun-dried tomatoes ) that have just been brought together in a manner that invokes sheer delight without compromising on health. And I bet you would calling for the seconds instead of reaching out for those sinful desserts !!

Check out this recipe

2. Black Rice Pumpkin Soup

When an old recipe goes exotic, then Black Rice Pumpkin soup is born. The traditional recipe of Orissa – Ambila gets a makeover when black rice replaces the normal rice. The sourness of dried mangoes gives the tangy taste to fill your tummies with something really healthy and delicious. Click for the recipe – Black Rice Pumpkin Soup

Black Rice And Pumpkin Soup (My Experiments With Ambila)

Recipe by Sweta Biswal

Ambila. Sweet, sour and with a hint of chilli, this traditional soup from Odisha is a hot favorite during the winter months. It has quite a few variations in terms of the vegetables used and the choice of souring ingredient.

The strong earthy flavor of black rice pairs rather well with coconut and jaggery, both of which are integral to the 'Ambila'. The deep hue (anthocyanins) of the black rice adds a whole new appeal to this traditional recipe.

Check out this recipe

3. Black Rice Risotto(Vegan)

Risotto demands cheese but to make it Vegan, add almond milk and you get a nutty, rich, healthy and creamy exotic Risotto for your lunch or Dinner. Garnish with few parsley leaves and you are on the way to enjoy one of the most relishing dishes. Click for the recipe – Black Rice Risotto-Vegan

Black Rice Risotto (Comfort Food Takes A Vegan Turn)

Recipe by Sweta Biswal

Khichdi for the Indians. Risotto for the Italians. Comfort food can take any name but ultimately it is all about conveying the feeling of sheer happiness.

The feeling of being connected to everything dear yet the euphoria of soaring in the clouds without any strings attached. That's the magic of comfort food. It makes you feel alive all over. Again and again.

And that's precisely why we go seeking for our grandmother's or mother's recipes when we are feeling low. It triggers all those childhood memories of being held in a warm embrace, being rocked to comfort and then being pampered silly with the dish of our choice.

Of the phenomenal taste of all those slow cooked recipes that only love and patience can achieve. And lots of patience is what it takes to cook up a risotto. Especially when you are making it black rice.

Unlike the traditional variety that calls for the use of wine and cheese, I made one without using either.

I added a touch of vinegar to get that acidity and used some almond milk towards the end for that creamy texture. Cooked it in a open shallow pan by adding just enough liquid at regular intervals. And loved the way it turned out. Nice, rich, creamy and nutty.

Check out this recipe

4. Chinese Fried Black Rice

Black Rice gets a call from all the cuisines, We have shared Indian Soup and Italian Risotto then how come we miss Chinese !!, Here is the famous Chinese Fried rice but this time with Black turning purple to give you a heavenly taste. Click for the recipe – Chinese Fried Black Rice

Fried Forbidden Rice (Easy Chinese Fried Rice Recipe With Black Rice )

Recipe by Sweta Biswal

Forbidden Black Rice is yet another of my experiments with the nutty flavored black rice which turns a deep purple once cooked. It made me fall in love with it once again.

Quick, easy-to-prepare and heavenly in taste, this one is a must-try.

Check out this recipe

5. Black Rice Sushi

Can Sushi be Vegan? Yes, of course. Japanese Sushi goes gaga when black rice is used. Add Tofu, Avocado and carrot to make a wholesome lunch box meal. Click for the recipe – Black Rice Sushi

Black Rice Sushi

Recipe by Sweta Biswal

Black Rice Sushi is a very healthy and vegan version of the Japanese delicacy. Made with a filling of tofu, avocado, carrot and cucumber, it is low on calories as well as quite filling due to the black rice. This is one recipe that can easily be made a part of one’s lunchbox. I am skipping the Nori sheets as I want to keep it completely vegan.

Check out this recipe

6. Black Rice Truffles

This one is for your sweet tooth as no platter is complete without a dessert but a healthy one. Low in calories, the truffles are made with black rice which is enjoyed with vegan coconut custard. It’s unique and different. Click for the recipe – Black Rice Truffles

Black Rice Truffles With Coconut Custard ( The Vegan Attakali )

Recipe by Sweta Biswal

The authentic attakal' consists of rice balls immersed in a rice custard (more like a phirni). It is quite low in calories as compared to other desserts and is usually prepared on certain festive days.

In my recipe, I have used two varieties of rice. The black or purple rice from Manipur is used to create the rice balls and the sweet smelling Gobindo bhog from Bengal is cooked in coconut milk to create a vegan custard.

The nuttiness of the black rice complements the sweetness of the Gobindo bhog to build a unique flavor. This is a vegan version of the 'attakali'.

Check out this recipe

7. Black Rice Pancake

Black Rice is also called as Chak Hao and is a must have during all the festivals in Manipur. If you want to make the simplest of all the recipes and don’t want hassles yet are looking for the benefits of black rice, Add it to your Atta (Wheat Flour) along with jaggary and fennel seeds to get a healthy breakfast. Click for the recipe – Black Rice Pancake

Chak Hao Tann ( Black Rice Pancakes From Manipur )

Recipe by Sweta Biswal

Chak Hao or black rice is a aromatic rice variety that is native to Manipur ( or maybe small pockets in the entire north-east region but I am not too sure of that ). So special is this variety that an Emperor in China had banned the cultivation of this rice for the masses.

Hence it came to be known as the 'Forbidden Rice'. This variety of rice contains gluten and hence people with Celiac disease should not consume it. But for others, this the best variety of rice for a number of reasons.

These black rice pancakes had a very solid first impression on me. And that new-found love further intensified when I bit into them for the first time. Of course I tweaked the recipe a little bit keeping my taste buds in mind, but still the results were sensational. For now, I claim to have become a black-rice convert !!

Check out this recipe

8. Black Rice Indian Dessert

Modak is the traditional dish loved across India and a must have in the preparation list during Ganesh Chaturthi. So why not give the traditional Modak, a bit of twist and make it using black rice this time, Who knows even Ganesha would enjoy the new taste. Click for the recipe – Black Rice Indian Dessert

Black Rice Truffles With Coconut Custard ( The Vegan Attakali )

Recipe by Sweta Biswal

The authentic attakal' consists of rice balls immersed in a rice custard (more like a phirni). It is quite low in calories as compared to other desserts and is usually prepared on certain festive days.

In my recipe, I have used two varieties of rice. The black or purple rice from Manipur is used to create the rice balls and the sweet smelling Gobindo bhog from Bengal is cooked in coconut milk to create a vegan custard.

The nuttiness of the black rice complements the sweetness of the Gobindo bhog to build a unique flavor. This is a vegan version of the 'attakali'.

Check out this recipe

9. Black Rice Pudding

Rice Pudding is one of easy and quick dessert recipe which can be made when your guests are just ready to ring the doorbell but this time surprise them with the Black pudding loaded with fruits, A Sweet delight which they would definitely love. Click for the recipe – Black Rice Pudding.

Black Rice And Kiwi Phirni (An Exotic Rice Pudding)

Recipe by Sweta Biswal

An easy and healthy dessert made with Black rice. I have used jaggery as a sweetener to bring out the naturally nutty taste of the black rice. Instead of using nuts of any kind, I decided to top it up with a fruit. Makes it healthier and the acidity in the fruit acts as the perfect foil to the sweetness of the phirni. Though had quite a few fruits stocked up but I decided to pick on the Kiwi as it makes for a lovely contrast with the lavender hues of the black rice .

Check out this recipe

Buy Black Rice in India, Buy Black Rice in USA

Final Words

So here is the complete Platter made from exotic and nutty Black Rice. Team Plattershare congratulates and thanks, Sweta Biswal for creating these wonderful dishes exclusively for Plattershare.

Sweta Biswal started her career as IT engineer but found her true passion in cooking and blogging and so she authored  OriyaRasoi – The Cosmopolitan Odia’s Kitchen.

Which boasts of having more than 400 Odia recipes and is one of the most popular blogs in Oriya Cuisine. While working with IT firm Infosys she felt that her homeland is known as the land of Temples and Oriya people are known to be hardworking, dedicated and are appreciated by the world but not much is known about its cuisine and culture.

Her Blog is an attempt to solve that mystery and let people know about Oriya food at international level and she feels that she has made that mark to a certain extent but she believes in “Miles to go” and is working to conquer all those milestones. Stay in touch with her on Plattershare, Facebook, and her Blog OriyaRasoi – The Cosmopolitan Odia’s Kitchen

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