Foodist Approved: Black Rice Porridge with Sautéed Apples Recipe

black rice breakfast bowl

Porridge made from black rice, also called “forbidden rice,” is a creative and delicious alternative to oatmeal.

This recipe was inspired by a memorable brunch I had a couple months ago at a tiny neighborhood restaurant, The Sudra, in SE Portland. The Sudra is beloved for its vegan, deeply spiced Indian cuisine.

Black rice has a rich, nutty flavor, chewy texture, and powerful color, while sautéed apples spiked with cinnamon and cardamom take on a beautiful crimson hue, making this bowl impressive enough to serve for weekend brunch.

You can use any type of milk, but for a creamy treat I recommend making it with rich coconut milk. Unsweetened canned coconut milk is available at most grocery stores.

To be able to prepare this breakfast in less than 15 minutes, cook the rice the night before while you’re cleaning up from dinner.

Black Rice Porridge with Sautéed Apples

Yield: serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup black rice, rinsed and drained
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 2 Granny Smith (green) apples, peeled, cored, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom, optional
• pinch fine sea salt
• 1 1/2 cups milk of choice (coconut milk recommended)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• Optional toppings: toasted nuts, toasted coconut flakes, chopped dates

Preparation

In a medium pot over high heat, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the rice, cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes or until the rice is cooked through but still chewy. Drain the rice. If you cooked the rice in advance, allow it to cool then store in the fridge until ready to use.
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the apples and cook until they begin to soften, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Add the cinnamon, cardamom, if using, and salt and cook for an additional minute being careful not to allow the cinnamon to burn.

Add the milk, honey, and cooked rice, and heat just until warm. Divide the Black Rice Porridge amongst 4 bowls. Top each bowl with a handful of chopped nuts, coconut flakes and/or dates and a drizzle of honey, if desired, and serve.

To toast coconut: Preheat the oven to 350°F and spread the coconut out on a baking sheet. Bake for 4 to 5 minutes, or until golden, stirring halfway through (keep a close eye on it to prevent burning).

Elyse Kopecky is a whole foods chef currently co-authoring a cookbook for runners, Run Fast Eat Slow, with Olympic marathoner and longtime friend, Shalane Flanagan. After 10 years working for Nike and EA Sports, Elyse decided to pursue her passion for talking and writing about food. She went to NYC to study culinary nutrition at the Natural Gourmet Institute and has taken cooking classes throughout Europe, Africa and Asia. Sign-up for sneak peeks of Shalane and Elyse’s book at runfasteatslow.com or follow along @ElyseKopecky.

from Summer Tomato http://summertomato.com/black-rice-porridge-recipe/
via Holistic Clients