What is forbidden black rice?
Forbidden black rice, is known as violet rice or purple rice. While cooking, it turns the water deep violet, which is why it is also called purple rice. （紫米） This delicious black rice is a family heirloom that dates to ancient China.
In ancient times, ordinary rice was left to the common people, while the Chinese forbidden black rice was reserved only for the emperor to ensure his health and longevity. It is also called “Emperor Rice” and “Forbidden rice”. Purple rice is popular even today.
The taste
The rice flavor is delicious, with a nutty and earthy feel much stronger than brown rice. While not as popular as brown rice. It was one of my favorite grains when I was little.
Health Benefit
This special grain offers impressive health benefits more than many other rice varieties. Purple rice is rich in antioxidants and fiber.
Like blueberries and blackberries, purple rice contains a range of antioxidants called anthocyanins, which have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, while improving brain health. One serving of purple rice contains only about 160 calories but offers a very high number of flavonoid phytonutrients.
How to cook the purple rice?
First, let’s start by soaking the purple rice in clear water for 4 hours at least overnight. Cooking grains after soaking reduces their cooking time significantly. Rinse the purple rice under running tap water and it should be rinsed two to three times, then drain.
I use white rice and purple rice in this recipe. The secret to making perfectly chewy purple sticky rice is to soak purple rice and regular white rice (or white sticky rice) for at least three hours to overnight. Keep in mind the ratio between rice mixture and water is 1:2.
Purple rice takes a little longer to cook than white rice because the grains are usually not ground, and the bran is not removed like white rice. So, when combined, it makes the total cooking time shorter.
I add honey dates, regular dried red dates, and raisins to this recipe to bring out more sweetness. You can go without these extra ingredients if you prefer to serve it plain.
Lastly, use a rice cooker or the stovetop method to cook the rice mixture. Once cooked, add the honey dates, dried red dates and raisins immediately. Mix well and let everything sit inside the rice cooker for an additional 5 minutes.
Where to buy
Today, purple rice is available in most local Asian markets and some specialty markets, and on the internet.
How to store and freeze forbidden black rice?
- Storage: For up to 4 days, store leftover cooked purple rice in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Freezing: Get a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and then spread the purple rice onto the sheet pan after it has reached room temperature. Place the cooked purple rice in a freezer-friendly container and place it in the freezer.
Dishes that go well with forbidden black rice:
You can serve this purple rice recipe with any meat or vegetable, or serve it alone as it is. Here are some of my favorites:
TERIYAKI SALMON (CHINESE STYLE)
TOMATO AND EGG STIR FRY (番茄炒蛋)
CHINESE CHIVE AND EGG STIR FRY (韭菜炒鸡蛋）
CHINESE PICKLED MUSTARD GREENS STIR FRY GROUND PORK
Purple rice is an amazing alternative to your favorite white rice. Give it a try, the taste of purple rice will surprise you if you've never had it before😊
Ingredients
- ½ cup uncooked purple rice
- ½ cup uncooked white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon honey dates chopped
- 1 tablespoon raisins
- 3 tablespoon dried red dates chopped
Instructions
- Soak the purple rice in clear water for at least 4 hours overnight.
- Rinse the purple rice and white rice under running tap water 2 or 3 times, then drain.
- Cook the rice mixture and water in the rice cooker.
- After the rice is done, add the honey dates, dried red dates, and raisins immediately. Mix well and let everything sit inside the rice cooker for an additional 5 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff and serve. Enjoy!
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