Love and Olive Oil

Black Rice Salad with Mango and Peanuts

Black Rice Salad with Mango and Peanuts

Why, I do declare, this is the prettiest dinner we’ve made all year.

But unlike other superficial dishes whose beauty is disappointing, this one actually tasted as good as it looked.

Better even.

Black Rice Salad with Mango and Peanuts

I think I might start using black rice in everything from now on, if only to gaze lovingly at the deep purple grains that contrast so beautifully with their surroundings. It’s mild and nutty, not unlike brown rice in terms of flavor, texture, and nutritional value. But ten times as pretty.

Also called forbidden rice or purple rice, you can find black rice at asian markets and specialty food stores. We got ours in the bulk bin section of Whole Foods. You can also get it online.

After being tossed with a tart dressing of orange and lime juice and soy sauce, the rice intermingles with chunks of juicy mango and orange segments (we used pink-fleshed Cara Cara oranges, blood oranges would be stunning as well), along with red onion, green onion, fresh cilantro, and a sprinkling of crunchy peanut. With flavors as bright as the colors, one bite will have you singing its praises and dying to make it again.

Did I mention it’s quick and healthy to boot? Seriously, I can’t remember the last time a recipe fit all the criteria (quick, healthy, pretty, delicious) for the perfect recipe so well.

Black Rice Salad with Mango and Peanuts

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Ingredients:

2 oranges
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 cups black forbidden rice
Kosher salt
2 mangoes, peeled, pitted, cut into 1/2″ dice
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1 cup finely chopped red onion (about 1/2 large onion)
1/2 cup unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts
6 scallions, thinly sliced
2 jalapeños, seeded, minced

Directions:

Remove peel and white pith from oranges. Working over a medium bowl to catch juices and using a small sharp knife, cut between membranes to release orange segments into bowl. Squeeze membranes over bowl to release any juices. Strain juices through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl; reserve orange segments.

Add 1/4 cup lime juice, oil, and soy sauce to bowl with orange juice; whisk to blend. Set dressing aside.

Bring rice and 2 3/4 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan. Season lightly with salt. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until all liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 25 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let stand, covered, for 15 minutes. Spread out rice on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with dressing, and season lightly with salt; let cool.

Place mangoes and remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Add rice and toss gently to combine. Season lightly with salt and more lime juice, if desired.

Recipe from Epicurious.

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32 Comments

  1. My trainer has just added Black Rice to my diet, so i was just checking out its health benefits and all. I came across this post and i must say that you have explained things really well. Moreover, with that, i just got a wonderful recipe as well.
    I would rate this full on full. Cheers!

  2. Yummy..it looks great. I’ll surely try this recipe. Thanks for sharing!

  3. Hi !
    For this recipe, do we have to rince the rice or do we want it to be sticky ?
    Thanks for answering
    Bacchis

    • I’d follow the instructions on your rice package, but I don’t believe that we rinsed our rice.

    • So I tried it for lunch today (and I rinced the rice), It’s been a very nice, very fresh dish,. Great recipe ! Thank you !
      Bacchis

  4. LOVE LOVE LOVE the new book! Am savoring each page! Thank you for all your hard word and dedication!

  5. i have some of that rice that i just grabbed since it looked so interesting…now i have a good recipe to make with it!

  6. What a gorgeous dish! Love the colors. I have yet to try black rice, but this recipe looks perfect for my first time! Thanks for sharing :)

  7. I’ve never used black rice before… I’m super intrigued now.

  8. I don’t know black rice, but I wish I did! Can’t wait to try it soon!

  9. I just picked up black rice at a recent shopping spree at the Asian market and have been trying to figure out what to do with it. I love the mix of citrus and soy in the dressing, and you are right this is quite a beautiful dish!

    -jessica

  10. This looks great! I love adding nuts to savory dishes if not for anything that the texture! I’m definitely going to try this soon!

  11. Oh boy – this is speaking my language! All ingredients I have at my fingertips, and I love black rice, although I’ve usually had it sweetened. Can’t wait to try this recipe.

  12. yum! great photo and great, fresh recipe!

  13. wow! I never thought to use black rice in a salad but it really makes sense! I love the citrus fruit as well! Beautiful photography! Thanks for sharing!

  14. A simply gorgeous dish. I’ve never made black rice, but it’s on the list now! I can only imagine how tasty this is …

  15. OMGosh, that sounds wonderful; and I have some black rice that I was wondering what to do with! (pinned!)

  16. Pinned it, sounds amazing!

  17. Looks delicious and beautiful, full of flavor! You mention both soy sauce & fish sauce, do you have a preference?

  18. A pretty dinner indeed! It sounds awesome.

  19. Dear Lindsay,

    the salad is looking pretty delicious. The color contrast is amazing, I like this feature in your recipes and pics.

    Have a nice weekend.

    Edina

  20. Truly is a great color, I love those orange segments!!

  21. I love how bright this salad is! It looks so fresh and flavorful!

  22. I love black rice! The texture, to me, is different than white or brown rice. I have to try this combination, it looks and sounds incredible!

  23. every time I go to target I stare at black rice but I would always wonder what to do with it?? Found it now!!!!

  24. Mmmm, love the colors of this salad! Also that lime dressing sounds super bright and tasty.

  25. This sounds and looks incredible!!!

  26. Lindsay, You know I love healthy salads and I believe you when you say this tastes as good as it looks. I like the peanut addition, and as much as I put all kind of nuts in salads, I never think of peanuts.

  27. I have actually never tried black rice but this looks like a great place to start. I love mango, so I am sure that adds some wonderful flavor.

  28. I like black rice but it takes forever to cook…

  29. this is exactly what I wish I was eating for lunch right now (instead of boring my almond butter sandwich). looks so delicious, nutritious, and lovely!

  30. I’ve had a pack of black rice in my cupboard for a long time, not sure what to do with it but this looks amazing! Must give it a go!

    FoodNerd x

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