Black Rice Recipe: Forbidden Rice with Mushrooms

This easy Black Rice Recipe features Forbidden Rice with Mushrooms, and is a delicious side dish for your next fancy-schmancy dinner party.

Awhile back, I found myself staring at a restaurant menu, asking the husband, “What in the world is Forbidden Rice?  Also, if it’s forbidden, how are they allowed to sell it?”  (If you want to leave now, before the puns get worse, I totally understand). 

I didn’t try it that day, but a few days later, while walking through Jungle Jim’s, I saw it again.  And no worries, even though it was marked “forbidden” rice, they didn’t confiscate it at the cash register.

I did, in fact, make it home with this odd little grain.  I even successfully cooked the contraband rice, without any strange rice regulators banging through my front door.

I later learned that this nutty, gluten-free grain is definitely NOT forbidden. (I’m just kidding guys, I totally knew that right away.)

This black rice recipe for Forbidden Rice with Mushrooms is easy to make, delicious, and will impress all your guests (because, you know, they’ll be wondering how you got the off-limits rice).

Black Rice Recipe: Gathering Ingredients

Legend has it that forbidden rice, also known as Chinese black rice, was forbidden to everyone except the emperor in Ancient China, because it was so incredibly rare.  Don’t worry, though, because that’s no longer the case.

It’s even getting easier to find–  try shopping for it at health food stores, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, online, or at Asian markets.

This rice is hearty, packed with nutrients, and full of flavor.  Also, if you want to try this rice and mushroom dish, but just can’t seem to find this elusive rice, substitute brown rice instead!

Quick Tip: You might also find Thai Black Sticky Rice, but that’s not what we’re using here.

Black Rice Recipe: Making Forbidden Rice with Mushrooms

To cook your rice, just follow the package directions.  If, however, your rice (like mine) came from a bulk food section, and didn’t come with directions, here’s some tips.

Just like basmati rice, black rice needs to be rinsed, and preferably soaked, before cooking.  Soak your rice for at least 15 – 30 minutes,  and rinse it 2-3 times until the water runs clear.  After that, you can treat it like brown rice.  Once your rice is cooked, mix it with the mushrooms and the easy dressing, and it’s ready to go!

Quick tip:  These directions for How to Microwave Basmati Rice will also work for black rice!

Feel free to tell your guests tall tales about your adventures to find this off-limits rice… or just dig in and eat.

Black Rice Recipe: Forbidden Rice with Mushrooms

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 298kcal

Author: Champagne Tastes

This easy Black Rice Recipe features Forbidden Rice with Mushrooms, and is a delicious side dish for your next fancy-schmancy dinner party.

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked Forbidden Rice (or Chinese Black Rice)
• 1 qt baby portabella mushrooms (shiitake), sliced
• 1 TB olive oil

Dressing:

• 1 shallot, peeled and sliced
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 TB sherry vinegar OR red wine vinegar
• 2 tsp salt
• few springs parsley, dill to garnish (optional)

Instructions

• Cook rice according to package instructions.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 TB oil in a large sauté pan. When oil begins to ripple, add mushrooms and sauté until browned.
• Then, make the dressing.  Sauté the shallot in the same pan the mushrooms were in, using the leftover oil.
• Add shallots to a mixing bowl, and whisk in 1/3 cup oil along with the vinegar and salt.
• When rice is finished cooking, stir in mushrooms and shallot dressing. Add more salt if desired. Add fresh herbs to garnish (optional).

Nutrition Information

Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 792mg | Potassium: 562mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin C: 0.4% | Calcium: 1% | Iron: 6.8%

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Shallot Vinaigrette Recipe Adapted From: Ruhlman’s Twenty