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    Home » Recipes » Forbidden Rice Salad (Black Rice Salad)

    Forbidden Rice Salad (Black Rice Salad)

    Published: Jun 6, 2013 · Modified: May 28, 2022 by Linda Baker · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Slightly nutty, full of fresh crunch from peppers and onion, with a refreshing vinaigrette dressing, this Forbidden Rice Salad was a hit as the 2013 Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco

    A bowl of Forbidden (black rice) salad in a white bowl.
    It's not really forbidden, it's just called that.

    The story of Forbidden Rice Salad

    Forbidden Rice Salad was a recipe I developed for the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco for my then client Colavita USA. They wanted something that would be interesting, use their products, and be easy to keep and serve at the three-day-long event.

    Live cooking demonstrations were out of the question as there were no cooking facilities provided; not even proper refrigeration. So with that in mind, I made this salad, sealed it up in vacuumed sealed bags, and delivered it to my client who provided a small bar refrigerator to keep it in.

    It worked perfectly. The vacuumed sealed bags were easy to stack in the refrigerator, the salad actually got better over time; the dressing soaked into the rice, while the sealed bags kept the food fresh and crunchy.

    And the crowd loved the flavors of earthy black rice combined with the fresh crunch of peppers.

    What is Black Rice?

    Black Rice, also known as Forbidden Rice, used to be difficult to find. But now it seems it's everywhere you shop. Like brown rice, black rice is full of antioxidant-rich bran, which is found in the outer layer that gets removed during the milling process to make white rice. But only black-rice bran contains the antioxidants known as anthocyanins, purple and reddish pigments -- also found in blueberries, grapes, and acai -- that have been linked to a decreased risk of heart disease and cancer, improvements in memory, and other health benefits. It has a deep earthy, yet slightly fruity flavor and slightly chewy texture.

    How to Cook Black Rice

    Regardless of the instructions on the package, I cook my black rice the same way I cook pasta, in a large pot of lightly salted boiling water. Once it has reached my desired degree of tenderness; about 20 to 25 minutes; I drain it and proceed with my recipe. I find that black rice benefits from having other ingredients added to it, such as making it into a pilaf or this Forbidden Rice Salad.

    Here's to your good health!

    A bowl of Forbidden (black rice) salad in a white bowl.

    Forbidden Rice Salad

    LindySez
    Slightly nutty, full of fresh crunch from peppers and onion, with a refreshing vinaigrette dressing, this Forbidden Rice Salad was a hit as the 2013 Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco
    4 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Additional Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
    Course Rice & Grains, Salads, Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 210 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 cups cooked black forbidden rice
    • 1 ½ cups finely diced red yellow, and orange bell peppers (about ½ cup each)
    • 1 cup finely diced red onion
    • ¾ cup minced parsley
    • ½ cup red wine vinegar
    • ¾ to 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
    • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl combine the rice, peppers, onion, and parsley. 
    • Add the vinegar and stir to incorporate; add ¾ cup oil and stir gently. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Add additional oil, if desired. Serve at room temperature. 
    • This salad is best when refrigerated, covered, overnight to allow the flavors to blend. Bring to room temperature prior to serving

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 1gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 17gSodium: 43mgFiber: 1g
    Keyword black rice salad, Forbidden Rice, rice salad
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Comments

    1. Vidya Sury says

      January 27, 2014 at 2:35 am

      We usually eat brown, white and red rice. Black rice - so interesting and it look so gorgeous in the recipe, Linda! Thank you.

      Reply
      • LindySez says

        January 28, 2014 at 1:12 pm

        For a while red rice was very popular here in the states, I think black rice has trumped it now as I don't see it very often anymore.

        Reply
    2. Jessica says

      January 26, 2014 at 9:39 am

      I have never heard of black rice, but now I'm intrigued! This sounds so good! I can't wait to check my local international market for the ingredients so I can give this a try!

      Reply
    3. Elle says

      January 25, 2014 at 11:02 am

      Love to learn something new Linda. I too had never heard of brown rice, and on my next trip to WF I shall be scouring the aisles cos I want to try this recipe, it sounds wonderful.

      Reply
    4. Cher says

      January 24, 2014 at 3:18 pm

      I have never heard of black rice and now I am dying to try it! I bet our local Kroger carries it. Thanks again, Linda, for creating something that not only looks so appetizing but is also healthy!

      Reply
    5. elaine schoch says

      January 24, 2014 at 12:46 pm

      I never knew about black rice and all its health benefits. And this salad sounds great. Adding it to the new list of dinner options at our house. Thanks!

      Reply
    6. LindySez says

      June 07, 2013 at 9:53 am

      Yes, many grocery stores now carry black (forbidden) rice. Or you can go to the World Market, Whole Foods or an Asian speciality store. And now, it appears that Italian supermarkets are also carrying black rice.

      Reply
    7. G-man! says

      June 07, 2013 at 9:47 am

      I've never heard of black forbidden rice. Can one get this at any common grocer?

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Lindy.

    Welcome to LindySez! I'm Lindy, a self-taught home chef with a passion for helping others feel confident in the kitchen. I believe cooking should be approachable, fun, and above all, delicious!

    My mission is to guide anyone—whether you grew up on fast food or rarely cooked at home—to create amazing meals with ease. Through simple recipes and practical tips, I’ll show you how to turn everyday ingredients into flavorful dishes.

    Cooking doesn’t have to be intimidating—let’s make it enjoyable together!

    More about me →

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