Placeholder canvas
 
Close
Igniting Ideas For impact

Embarking on a transformative journey through six chapters, we traverse India's landscape, exploring pioneering startups and their revolutionary...

8 months

Try a North Eastern Marvel Today! 5 Simple Recipes Using Black Rice

Did you know a serving of black rice has more protein and less carbs than white or brown rice? Try it!

Try a North Eastern Marvel Today! 5 Simple Recipes Using Black Rice

If you can’t do without your rice, and couldn’t be bothered giving it up for some diet fad, then this will pique your interest.

There’s a huge variety of rice available in India, but among the most widely consumed are white, brown and black rice. Just to give you some stats: a cooked bowl of white rice gives us 236 calories, 45 g carbs and 3 g protein; a cooked bowl of brown rice gives us 222 calories, 45 g carbs and 4.5 g protein and a cooked bowl of black rice gives us 200 calories, 34 g carbs and 6 grams protein.

The numbers make it amply clear that black rice provides the most protein and the least amount of calories and carbs, making it the perfect alternative to the other two incase you wish to introduce foods that help you get back in shape.

Also, as far as the taste goes, black rich is simply delicious. It has a nutty, earthy flavour on the outside and a subtle, sweet flavour on the inside. Here’s how you can use it in simple and tasty recipes to reap its many benefits:

black rice

Black Rice Veg Roll

Choc-a-block with powerful antioxidants and fibre, black rice is great for healthy weight loss or weight management. It can be used for making these nutritious veggie rolls that make for the perfect lunch.

Ingredients

1 cup cooked black rice (cooked in coconut oil and sprinkled with sesame seeds)
Rice paper
1/2 red pepper diced
1/2 carrot diced
1/3 cucumber diced
1/2 cup mint leaves
1 cup spinach
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce

Method

  • Dip the rice paper on a plate of hot water, let it soften for 30 seconds, remove from water and place on a flat surface.
  • Add some cooked rice, a few pieces of each vegetable, mint leaves, and spinach to each roll.
  • Fold the rice paper into a roll.
  • Serve it with a dip made of peanut butter, soy sauce, lemon juice, honey and hot sauce.

Black Rice & Spinach Salad

A bowl of black rice and spinach salad is a powerhouse of fiber, antioxidants, and essential vitamins. What’s more, it’s also gluten-free and super-filling. Make it for Sunday brunch and watch it turn into your favourite meal of the week.

Ingredients

3 cups cooked black rice
2 cups baby spinach
1 cup sliced strawberries
1 cup blueberries
1/2 -1 cup pistachios
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup vinegar
2 cloves garlic chopped
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
salt and pepper to taste

Method

  • Add all the ingredients in a large bowl.
  • Mix well and serve with fresh feta cheese.

Kheer

black rice

Black rice is known to be diabetic friendly. It contains Cyanidin 3 glucoside that helps balance the blood sugar levels. So, if you wish to make some sweet for a diabetic, this one’s a great pick. Swap the sugar in the recipe with sweeteners according to instructions on the packet, of course.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup black rice
A handful of cashews
2 teaspoon cardamom powder
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoon raisins
2 teaspoon ghee
12 cup milk

Method

  • Take a deep bowl, add enough water and the black rice. Leave it soaked for a night.
  • In a deep-bottomed pan, pour the milk on medium flame and bring it to a boil.
  • Add rice in it. Stir it continuously and let it cook until the mixture thickens.
  • Add cardamom powder and sugar to the mixture.
  • In a separate pan, add ghee and roast the cashews until golden brown.
  • Add the garnish to the kheer and serve it hot.

Black Rice Pilaf

black rice

Also known as the ‘forbidden rice,’ this dark purple beauty packs a toothsome punch. It tastes great as a pilaf while acting as a rich source of iron, protein and calcium.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
1 chopped onion
1 1/2 cups black rice
1 tablespoon thyme
2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper
1/3 cup slivered almonds
1-2 tablespoons parsley

Method

  • Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the onion, stirring until golden brown
  • Add rice and thyme. Saute.
  • Add stock, garlic, bay leaf, salt and pepper and the almonds.
  • Bring it to a simmer, stirring.
  • Cover, turn heat to low and cook for 25-30 minutes till all the liquid has evaporated.
  • Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Black Rice Clear Soup

There’s nothing more comforting than a hot bowl of soup at the end of a long day. The best part is there’s hardly any effort needed to make this super tasty bowl of goodness loaded with anti-inflammatory properties.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons black rice
1 stalk lemongrass split
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 onion sliced
2 cloves garlic chopped
1 inch ginger chopped
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 fresh red chilli split
salt and pepper to taste

Method

  • Heat 4 cups of water with black rice, lemon grass, onions, ginger and garlic.
  • Cook for 25 minutes.
  • Once it’s done, add the soy sauce, lemon, chilli, and salt and pepper.
  • Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.

Also Read: 10 Healthy Snacks Perfect for Your Office Desk!


(Edited by Saiqua Sultan)

Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

This story made me

  • feel inspired icon
    97
  • more aware icon
    121
  • better informative icon
    89
  • do something icon
    167

Tell Us More


We bring stories straight from the heart of India, to inspire millions and create a wave of impact. Our positive movement is growing bigger everyday, and we would love for you to join it.

Please contribute whatever you can, every little penny helps our team in bringing you more stories that support dreams and spread hope.

Support the biggest positivity movement section image Support the biggest positivity movement section image
Shorts

Shorts

See All
 
X
 
Sign in to get free benefits
  • Get positive stories daily on email
  • Join our community of positive ambassadors
  • Become a part of the positive movement