Black Rice Recipe (Forbidden Rice) - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

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Forbidden Black Rice Recipe – You will love this earthy flavorful Forbidden Rice with Acorn Squash and Pecans. It’s a marvelous fall and holiday Black Rice Recipe that adds color and texture to the dinner table. Forbidden rice is a vegetarian dish everyone will enjoy!

Black Rice Recipe (Forbidden Rice) - A Spicy Perspective (1)

Black Rice Recipe for the Holidays

Usually in the fall, I spend months focusing on apple recipes, Halloween treats, and Thanksgiving side dishes.

I get super excited about cutesy Halloween goodies, so I tend to get a little carried away.

However, today’s black rice recipe will make a statement on your holiday table, yet is a bit more sophisticated than some of my earlier offerings.

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What Is Forbidden Rice?

I love forbidden rice. Love. It.

The color is so striking, it immediately draws attention when you serve it. There are two main varieties of whole-grain black rice: Forbidden Rice and Wild Rice.

Forbidden rice (sometimes called black sticky rice, purple rice, or emperor’s rice) comes in various shades of black. As a glutinous rice, it tends to be softer and clump a little when cooked. It has a light nutty flavor and chewy texture. If you rinse it well before cooking it will clump less.

Forbidden rice is great to use in dishes in which you might normally use long-grain or short-grain white rice varieties, such as rice pudding, rice porridge, or stir fried rice dishes.

Wild rice comes in different shades of dark brown and black. It stays firm and separated when cooked, similar the brown rice. It is great for pilafs because the grains offer chewiness and fluff easily.

Whether you like the hearty texture of wild rice or the tender texture of forbidden rice, either variety is fine for this black rice pilaf.

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To this Forbidden Rice, I added roasted acorn squash and toasted pecans for sweetness and nutty crunch.

Roasted acorn squash is one of my favorite fall ingredients. It brings a sweet earthy note to this black rice recipe as well as a festive punch of orange color. If you aren’t crazy about acorn squash, this would be the perfect place to substitute diced butternut squash or sweet potatoes. Both offer the same appeal.

This black rice recipe is for you, grownups.

But don’t worry your kids will love Forbidden Rice with Acorn Squash and Pecans too!

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How to Cook Black Rice

Ingredients You Need

  • Black Rice (forbidden rice or black wild rice)
  • Butter (oil for vegan)
  • Shallots
  • Pecan Pieces (or cashews, walnuts, or almonds)
  • Orange Zest
  • Fresh Thyme Leaves
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Acorn Squash(or butternut squash)
  • Salt and Pepper

Pilaf Method Steps

  1. Saute the butter and shallots in a saucepan for two minutes then add the rice and toss it to coat in butter. Add salt and water according to the rice package instructions. Cover the pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Once it boils, stir and lower the heat to a simmer. Then cover until it is fully cooked.
  3. Peel and dice the acorn squash and toss in oil then spread over a baking sheet. Roast in a preheated oven for about 15 minutes, then flip and re-spread the squash to cook for another 10 minutes.
  4. The last 2-3 minutes of cooking of the squash, add in the pecan pieces so that they can roast as well.
  5. Toss together the rice and the squash mixture with some orange zest and thyme. Make sure to season to taste and serve warm!

Get The Full Printable Black Rice Recipe (Forbidden Rice) Below.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Forbidden Rice Gluten Free?

Yes, all rice is gluten-free, unless you add ingredients to it that contain gluten. This recipe is completely gluten-free.

Can I Cook Chinese Black Rice in an Instant Pot Pressure Cooker?

Yes, you can! Rinse the black rice several times to remove some of the starches. Place the rice in the Instant Pot and add 1 1/2 cups water. Pressure Cook on HIGH for 18 minutes, then perform a natural release for 9-12 minutes.

Can I make forbidden rice the day before?

Yes! I would tightly cover the cooked black rice with foil and warm it up in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.

How long will Forbidden Rice last in the fridge?

You can keep this black rice recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 6 days.

Can I freeze cooked Black Rice?

Yes. Store the rice in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Then thaw at room temperature before rewarming in the oven.

Other Holiday Recipes and Dishes:

  • Chicken Sausage Apple Squash Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe
  • Three Sisters Butternut Squash Chili Recipe
  • Bacon Pecan Brittle Recipe
  • Smoky-Sweet Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe
  • Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Whiskey Cream Sauce Recipe
  • Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto ~ Just a Taste
  • Butternut Squash Cakes ~ The Bite House

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Print Recipe

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Black Rice Recipe (Forbidden Rice)

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

A festive dark and moody side dish for the holidays, made with black rice, acorn squash, and chopped nuts.

Servings: 8

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

  • 1 1/2 cups black rice wild or forbidden
  • 2 tablespoons butter oil for vegan
  • 2 shallots peeled and diced
  • 1 cup pecan pieces
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 acorn squash peeled, seeded, and diced
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Set a medium sauce pot over medium heat. Add the butter and shallot and saute for 2 minutes. Then add the rice and toss to coat in butter. Add the appropriate amount of water as directed on the rice package (from 3-4 cups depending on the variety of rice.) Add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, cover, and bring to a boil.

  • Once boiling, stir, lower the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until cooked through—follow time directed on rice package.

  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Toss the peeled and diced acorn squash in oil and spread over a baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 15 minutes. Turn and spread the acorn squash again and roast another 10 minutes. In the last 2-3 minutes sprinkle the pecans over the acorn squash so the pieces can toast.

  • Once the rice and roasted acorn squash are ready, toss together with orange zest and thyme. Then salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm or at room temperature!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 306kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 30mg, Potassium: 352mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 375IU, Vitamin C: 9.4mg, Calcium: 45mg, Iron: 1.6mg

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Asian

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

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Black Rice Recipe (Forbidden Rice) - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

FAQs

Black Rice Recipe (Forbidden Rice) - A Spicy Perspective? ›

Add the appropriate amount of water as directed on the rice package (from 3-4 cups depending on the variety of rice.) Add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, cover, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, stir, lower the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until cooked through—follow time directed on rice package.

Is forbidden rice the same as black rice? ›

Thanks to its nutty flavor and striking purple hue, black rice, also called forbidden rice, had been one of my favorite grains when we lived in Austin. I'd get it from the bulk bins at the grocery store, eagerly anticipating adding it to salads and bowls when I got home.

Is black rice good for high blood pressure? ›

Regular intake of black rice may reduce cholesterol levels and inflammation in the walls of blood vessels. This may help in reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and blood pressure. Additionally, the flavonoids present in black rice may also reduce the risk of high blood pressure.

Can I eat black rice every day? ›

Can I eat black rice every day? As with most delicious things in life, it's all about moderation. “Black rice is high in fiber, which is a good thing overall, but don't overdo it, since eating too much fiber too quickly could cause an upset stomach or gas,” warns Allen.

Should I soak black rice before cooking? ›

By soaking black rice 30 minutes before cooking, you'll end up with a more tender and moist texture. Otherwise, you can also prepare it straight from the jar for a texture that's firmer and more chewy. Get the right ratio. 1 cup of black rice is best prepared with 2 cups of water.

Why is black rice banned in China? ›

In ancient China, black rice was considered so superior and rare, it was reserved exclusively for the emperor and royalty.

Is black rice the healthiest rice? ›

Research shows that black rice has the highest antioxidant activity of all the varieties, making it a nutritious choice ( 9 ). Antioxidants are compounds that protect cells from damage caused by an excess of molecules called free radicals, which contribute to oxidative stress ( 10 ).

Which is better, quinoa or black rice? ›

Both have some great minerals and vitamins, and both have good fiber content, but quinoa is slightly higher in fiber. Is black rice really good for health? Yes, black rice, also known as forbidden rice, is considered to be highly nutritious and beneficial for health.

What does black rice do for your hair? ›

Black rice is excellent for your skin and hair as well because of its high antioxidant content along with the richness of vitamins and minerals. Its potential to reduce oxidative cell damage is also beneficial for healthy skin and hair.

Does black rice spike blood sugar? ›

Black rice may also offer other potential benefits, including: Lower blood sugar levels. Animal studies suggest that eating black rice and other anthocyanin-containing foods may help reduce blood sugar levels in those with type 2 diabetes. Human studies are needed to confirm these effects ( 32 , 33 ).

Why do Koreans eat black rice? ›

Because black rice is used in Korean purple rice, it is much healthier than eating plain white rice. Black rice contains numerous nutrients and antioxidant, but of course the health benefits depends on how much black rice is used.

Is black rice good for belly fat? ›

Black brown rice is a healthy food that is both nutritious and helps to lose weight because of its high fiber content, creating a feeling of fullness and fat metabolism, releasing excess fat in the body.

Why is black rice so expensive? ›

Black rice is not as easy to grow as other rice varieties because it only yields about 10 percent of the harvest that other rice varieties do. That makes the rice very expensive, which is why it was initially reserved only for the richest of the rich—which meant Chinese royalty at the time it was first discovered.

What happens if you don't wash black rice? ›

If you aren't careful to wash black rice before cooking it in the rice cooker, you could end up with a gummy result, or worse – the excess starches could cause a volcano-like effect in your rice cooker and spill starchy purple goo all over your kitchen counter.

Why is black rice called forbidden rice? ›

Why is black rice called 'forbidden' rice? Black rice (also known as forbidden black rice or emperor's rice) is used in traditional Chinese medicine. It was once reserved only for the wealthy and powerful to ensure their health and long life. No one else was allowed to eat it.

What is the ratio of black rice to water? ›

For those wondering how much water or how much rice you need, the ratio of water to black rice is 1 ¾ to 1. In other words, for each cup of black rice, you'll need 1 ¾ cups of water, chicken stock, or vegetable broth.

What is another name for black rice? ›

Black rice is that rare trifecta of delicious, healthy, and aesthetically pleasing. This dark-colored rice, which is a deep purple-black, has alternate names including purple rice, forbidden rice, and emperor's rice.

What is a substitute for black rice? ›

Similar to black rice, red rice, or Oryza rufipogon, is a medium or long grain variety coloured by its anthocyanin content.

Are purple rice and black rice the same? ›

Purple, or black, rice is a variety of rice with a long history. Its nutritional profile is similar to that of brown rice, as it is relatively high in fiber.

What is the healthiest rice? ›

1. Brown rice. Whole grain rice such as brown rice is less processed and refined than white rice. As a result, brown rice contains more nutrients such as fiber and minerals such as magnesium, iron, and zinc.

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