Black Rice was once “only” enjoyed by the Emperor and his royal court. It was forbidden for the commoners to eat this exquisite black rice. The tender, nutty flavoured rice is presumed to enrich one’s life and promote longevity.
After I brought my chilled rice salad to the office, I noticed that all the staff made it the following week! It travels well and is a great picnic salad. A refreshing change from your typical summer salads.
I researched and tried out several versions but this recipe from the Bon Appétit June 2012 needs no improvement. black rice salad photo provided by Jason Lowe, Bon Appétit
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BLACK RICE SALAD – WITH MANGO AND NUTS
INGREDIENTS
2 oranges
1/4 cup or more fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
2 cups black rice
Kosher salt
2 just-ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, cut into 1/2″dice
1 cup finely fresh cilantro leaves
1 cup finely chopped red onion (about 1/2 large onion)
1/2 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts or unsalted cashews or other nuts
6 scallions, thinly sliced
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded, minced
INSTRUCTIONS
1 ) Remove peel and white pith from oranges.
2 ) Working over a medium bowl to catch juices and using a small sharp knife, cut between membranes to release orange segments into bowl. Squeeze membranes over bow to release any juices. Strain juices through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl; reserve orange segments.
3 ) Add 1/4 cup lime juice, oil, and fish sauce (if using) to bowl with orange juice; whisk to blend.
4 ) Set dressing aside.
5 ) Bring rice and 2 and 3/4 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Season lightly with salt. Cover, Reduce heat to low and simmer until all liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 25 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let stand, covered for 15 minutes.
6 ) Spread out rice on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with dressing and season lightly with salt; let cool.
7 ) Place mangoes and remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Add rice and toss gently to combine.
8 ) Season lightly with salt and more lime juice if desired.
Serves: 6–8
DID YOU KNOW?
While whole grain brown rice and red rice also contain beneficial antioxidants; only black rice contains special variety of antioxidants known as anthocyanin antioxidants. (Thus the dark purple colour -like blueberries) Additionally, black rice also contains an important antioxidant – Vitamin E, which is useful in maintaining eye, skin, and immune health in addition to other important functions. Forbidden Black Rice contains 18 amino acids (same as Aloe Vera), iron, zinc, copper, carotene, and fiber. Mangos are #1 ~ the most popular fruit in the world.
Emperor’s Dining Room
In ancient times, Emperors reserved this wonderful black rice for their own consumption because it was thought that it would extend their lives. Black rice does provide many health benefits that the western world is now embracing with gusto. It helps fight against heart disease, cancer, and diabetes with high amount of flavanoid phytonutrients and protects heart health (plaque formation). Herbalists use black rice as a prevention and treatment for ailments and as a blood tonifier.
Black Rice was also considered to be somewhat of an aphrodisiac at one time. I suspect the Emperors down throughout the ages shared their black rice stock with their consorts or concubines.
Heirloom Forbidden Black rice is a strain from Indonesian Black Rice. photo provided by Spikenard and Myrrh
Black Rice is surely ‘one of the’… if not ‘the most’ special variety of rice that is cultivated today. Its special, near medicinal values is truly stunning, even today with all of our medical knowledge and tools. Every time you sit down to enjoy a few servings of this awesome super food, you can remind yourself that you are eating something that was once reserved for royalty. If a commoner was caught eating this rice it was “off with their heads”.
VARIATIONS
If you are trying to find something else to do with your avocados, my friend Monique from Ambitious Kitchen added avocado to her black rice salad. It is a nice touch and goes well. Instead of unsalted peanuts (Bon Appétit version), I used cashews while Monique added almonds to her salad. If you have the time and patience, roasted pecans would be wonderful too.
Another gluten-free recipe that is filled with flavour , colour and the YUM-Factor!
BACK TO SCHOOL LUNCH!
A light touch: For milder flavour, use leeks instead of red onion and yellow or red bell peppers instead of jalapeno peppers. Forget the nuts (allergies) if you like. Substitute other herbs for the cilantro. e.g. parsley, basil, fresh mint, fresh-soft rosemary (my favorite) or even peppery rocket lettuce. Know what your kids like to eat. I would even test out fresh oregano in this ‘forbidden’ black rice salad. COLLEGE KIDS: Add a smidgen of fresh pressed garlic ~ to boost the immune system. If it is not fresh I would not use the herbs. The dried herbs taste different. They have flavour, but are better suited in baking and cooking.
Y-U-M-M Y-U-M-M-M!
Simply Splendid Food 
I like using black rice and your salad looks delicious.
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Thank you. We should spread the news! It’s also nice to tell the ‘forbidden’ back story, if friends are not aware of it. Makes it fun to eat.
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Thank you for sharing this interesting recipe and the history.
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You are welcome! I am always on the lookout for something truly spectacular. This was a good find 5 years ago! It’s getting popular again today!
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Most interesting. I have never even heard of black rice! Don’t think it is obtainable here at the bottom of the Dark Continent.
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Ask your grocer. They will order just about anything if you ask!
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That used to be the case. Mostly, nowadays, they couldn’t be bothered. All you get is a shrug.
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Looks like you have to mail order it yourself…then sell it to the grocery stores!!! If you have any Korean grocery stores in your area, they will often sell black rice. You may buy black rice on line. e.g. http://www.lotusfoods.com. I have visited Durban, S.A. and it is a very lovely city!
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This is such a great idea. I never new about Forbidden Black Rice before. Thank you for a wonderful dish. Mangoes are so fresh tasting!
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What a great salad! I am always looking for healthy meals. This is a really good one! Thank you Simply Splendid!
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This is a great combination of flavorful ingredients.
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This Is so yummy.A package of taste and health as well .Thanks for the share.
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Yes, I also like knowing that it has so much nutrition packed in each grain of rice!
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Lovely mix of rices. Great colours in the dish.
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Thank you Conor! Is it easy to find black rice in your area of Ireland?
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I like black rice as it adds such an interesting component to a meal. Your salad sounds delicious, the mango and nuts give it a nice texture and taste.
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Thank you Karen! Black rice is gaining popularity as people are becoming more familiar with this grain.
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I love Black rice in salad and do a version with mango and prawn. Yours looks lovely and I will definitely give it a try!
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Thx for your version! I discovered a black rice salad using pickled veggies. Another good idea!
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I like the sound of that! Thanks for the tip.
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What a beautiful salad! I had never heard of black rice before. With all of those ingredients, it must taste so flavorful and fresh. I enjoyed reading about the health benefits of it. So interesting about common people not being allowed to eat it. So glad we can! Thanks for sharing this. Saving the recipe!
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The black rice has a slightly nutty flavour. The other ingredients add a very fresh taste. It is perfect to take to a picnic but still elegant enough for a dinner party. It is good cold or closer to room temperature. I have made it the day before and it is still spectacular. I hope that you are able to try! Thanks for your comments!
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The salad looks so good ♥
summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com
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You know it! It tastes as good – or even better than it looks!
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I learned something new today as I thought I had eaten just about every rice there is. I’ve had wild rice but never black. Looks good with the mangoes and an avocado would provide more color and of course flavor to the salad.
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You can substitute the mango with peaches, pineapple or mandarin oranges. You only need the balance of the tangy red onions with sweetness. Enjoy!
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I just found your blog from Dream Big Dream Often, and I’m glad I did because this recipe looks awesome! I’m going to have to put it on my list of I may actually make it. It’s a rather large list, but I’m rather lazy. LOL.
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Start by making the rice! You can add anything you want to it!!!
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Thanks, this looks delicious! I’m going to try it sometime!
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Its good to try new foods. The health benefit is the bonus!
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Ana amazing salad!! Like the rice in that salad and looks so colourful!!
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Thank you….enjoy!
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This looks great! Love the post and would love to try this beautiful looking dish! 😍
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Lovely post, very interesting and looks like a delicious recipe!
https://harrietday.wordpress.com/
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Thx. I’m glad you like it!
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I love forbidden rice. It’s delicious. I also have red rice. It’s very tasty as well. This looks like a very flavorful salad.
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The mango really makes it special!
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Looks amazing!! Lovely colours👌 good to know about the ‘forbidden’ back story as well.
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Its amazing when you find out about the history of certain foods.
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Yep, absolutely! I agree😊
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I enjoy making this salad, especially with the mangos. A great combination of flavours. I used mandarin oranges instead of regular oranges. I really like the story about the ‘forbidden’ rice.
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