Forbidden Black Fried Rice with Lime and Cilantro
So, I now am in love with Forbidden Black Rice. Making Forbidden Black Fried Rice is my new jam. In fact, notched up just a little, Forbidden Black Zebra Rice. What in world, you might ask? Well, I toss in some leftover white rice, if I have some. Which is very often. The white rice is a little softer. It absorbs the flavors a little differently, resulting in a very flavorful and visually pretty rice.
Black rice which is really purple (at least to my eyes) is a powerhouse of nutrients. It is called Forbidden Rice as in Ancient China, this is considered regal. Hence, reserved for royalty. Forbidden for us commoners. So there is my minute introduction to Black Rice.
How I make the Forbidden Black Fried Rice and Substitutions
Here is how I make my rice in the instant pot. I store this in zip lock bags in the refrigerator, and when the opportunity hits I use rice to make fried rice. Just as a note, since I do this often, in addition to actually freezing the rice I cook this al dente. If you want you can actually use wild rice instead, it also makes for an interesting variation. This generally follows the same rules for making brown rice in the instant pot. Another fun rice dish, using lots of cilantro includes this salsa rice with cilantro.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Forbidden Fried Rice
So, a few tips and tricks to getting the perfect forbidden rice fried rice.
- Use cold and preferably day old rice.
- Toothsome rice like brown rice or the forbidden black rice here are always good ideas.
- Use a good balance of ingredients – vegetables, proteins, and flavors.
- I like to make this spicy, you can use more neutral flavors if you wish.
- Play around with flavors – as in very the herb, just swapping the cilantro with basil, maybe adding in some star anise while cooking. Little things like this will help make this dish your own.
- I made two variations of this with chicken sausage and shrimp. They both tasted consistently good.
- Feel free to have fun with garnishes – think sesame seeds and thinly sliced chilies among others.
Another dinner rotation meal conquered. Maybe, another back to school season finding it’s way into our life? And guess what? I even have a video for you with this post.
A wholesome and colorful take on fried rice, this rice is a great way to use up the odds and ends in your refrigerator.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 medium onion or shallot, finely diced
- 3 to 4 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup chopped broccoli
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 red bell, seeded and thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup cubed ham or sausage, cubed
- 1/2 cup of frozen peas
- 3 tablespoons tamari
- 2 tablespoons cooking wine
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 cup cold pre-cooked forbidden black rice (see note)
- 1/4 cup cold pre-cooked white rice (optional, but adds an interesting layer of texture)
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 or 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Heat the oil and add in the onion and saute lightly. Add in the garlic and saute for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Stir in the chopped broccoli and the carrots and mix well.Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Stir in the red bell pepper and the cubed ham or sausage.
- Stir in the frozen peas.
- Mix the tamari, cooking wine, and the sugar. Stir well and set aside
- Stir in the forbidden black rice and the white rice. Gently mix in the tamari mixture.
- Make a well in the center of the rice. Crack in the eggs and allow them to set a little and scramble lightly and mix the eggs in.
- Stir in the sesame oil.
- Add in the lime juice and the cilantro leaves and serve.
Notes
You can cook the black rice in the instant pot and store this in the freezer in ready to use bags.