This ‘forbidden rice’ breakfast pudding bowl is packed with heart healthy antioxidants and berries as well as a bit of chocolate for an energizing start to your day!
The best things in life often seem to be those that we are forbidden to eat, drink or do.
So when I hear the the word ‘forbidden’ used alongside something my first instinct is usually to dive in.
Very adult of me – I know. Don’t judge…
Like take the time that my mom went to Jamaica and I was left at home the first time alone. Ahhhh – I can still smell the freedom and Mike’s Hard Lemonade as I type this.
Well anywho feeling very free-spirited I decided to get my navel pierced. It was painful but that freedom and the feeling of doing something forbidden far outweighed the feeling of what was essentially me getting stabbed in the stomach. Hey – I’m not one for sugar coating.
So when I saw this black rice in the store and a woman beside me picking out pinto beans whispers – ‘they call that forbidden rice’. I was like whoa, what?? Hold up wait a minnuuute!
Sold! I’ll take 1 pound of that please!
So when I get home and the hubster sees the black rice on the kitchen counter the exchange went a little like this:
Hubster: What the heck is that – looks like mouse sh*t
Me: I know but they say that it’s forbidden and it’s supposed to be healthy
Hubster: Well, enjoy but you won’t catch me eating that (I’m sure YOU’RE not even convinced as you read this, no worries – luckily for you I’m not easily offended)
That was until he found out that I was making rice pudding, one of his favourite desserts, then he was on board. Okay well not completely as yet but he was at least in the station on standby.
The story with black rice goes back to the time when China was run by an Emperor. Black rice was only cultivated in small quantities so it was reserved strictly for the Emperor – hence the term ‘forbidden rice’. I don’t even want to know what happened to the poor souls who dared to sneak a few grains into their satchels or pockets or whatever they used to carry stuff back in da days.
These days you don’t have to be an Emperor to eat it (unless you think of yourself as one) but it’s still cultivated in small quantities so I guess in a way the term ‘forbidden rice’ still holds true.
Now that I’ve given you a rather spotty history lesson, you’re probably wondering – okay so what’s make this black rice stuff so special anyways? Is it better than my brown rice?
Well, yea, it is.
JAMMED WITH ANTIOXIDANTS. More so than any other rice variety, yes, even your regular brown rice. Like blueberries, black rice is crazy high in the antioxidant anthocyanin. Foods that have a deep black, deep blue or purple color like raspberries, blueberries and blackberries are a tell tale sign of how high that food is antioxidants.
Why is this important? Well foods high in anthocyanin antioxidants help to reduce your risk of serious disease like cancer, help to prevent cardiovascular disease and improve brain function. This coveted antioxidant also helps to reduce inflammation in your body as well. Black rice is also high in Vitamin E which is great for giving your immune system a boost, glowing skin and 20/20 eyesight.
If you’re looking for another recipe that has these heart healthy anthocyanins check out these blueberry waffles!
HELPS TO PREVENT OBESITY AND MANAGE WEIGHT. In addition to crazy nutrients, black rice is packed with fiber which will help you to feel full and prevent overeating. In a 100g serving, brown rice has 2.8g of fiber while black rice has a whopping 4.9g of fiber. This is crucial when trying to lose or maintain your weight. Whole grains vs refined grains (think white rice and white pasta) help to prevent insulin resistance minimizing your risk of obesity.
CAN HELP DETOXIFY THE BODY. Black rice helps to detox your body by removing harmful toxins all thanks to that high antioxidant content. Many people go on these crazy detox plans when all you really need to do is just incorporate more foods like black rice which gently detox your body everyday.
PROTECTS HEART HEALTH. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the developed world, which is why it’s so important to eat foods that help improve heart health. Black rice has been shown in studies to decrease plaque from forming in your arteries which helps to reduce your risk of stroke and heart attacks. If you have high cholesterol try giving black rice a try (please consult with your physician). The antioxidants in rice can help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels by reducing ‘bad’ or LDL cholesterol.
For more info on the health benefits of black rice you can check this article out!
Wondering how to cook it?
It’s pretty much the same as brown rice but just takes a little longer to cook. I suggest soaking it first for at least an hour before you cook it to shorten the cooking time.
After soaking your rice, rinse it clean. As a general rule, you’ll need two cups of water for every one cup of rice.
Okay let’s get to the obvi – how does it taste.
Great. SO good actually.
I like that black rice has a richer earthier taste than brown rice. Besides, it’s just nice to mix it up sometimes and to have a change from brown or wild rice.
When it comes to eating healthy I always encourage my clients to experiment with different foods and flavours instead of eating the same thing all the time.
Keeping things interesting will re-ignite the spark to eat healthy again when you add in new things like this Forbidden Rice Breakfast Pudding Bowl.
If you’re teetering on the fence like the hubster then this Forbidden Rice Breakfast Pudding Bowl is the perfect way to test the water because…
a) it has chocolate and
b) it’s great for either a healthy breakfast or dessert.
Eating and living healthy is more confusing than ever.
To change your unhealthy eating habits it’s helpful to have some healthy hacks on hand to make it easier.
In the FREE Healthy Like a Boss mini course you’ll learn 3 easy healthy habit hacks to squeeze into your busy life.
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If you make this, please come back and comment below and let me know what you thought! You can also tag me on Instagram @EatLiveandPlay!
Forbidden Rice Breakfast Pudding Bowl
Ingredients
- ½ cup black rice
- 3 cups almond milk unsweetened
- 1 ½ tablespoons tahini
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- Mixed berries of choice
- Sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan bring rice and almond milk to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer, stirring often for about 30-40 minutes or until rice feels a bit tender with a little milk remaining.
- Stir in tahini, cocoa powder and maple syrup until well combined.
- Remove from heat, transfer to bowl top with berries and sprinkle with sesame seeds
Sources: https://www.naturalnews.com/039806_black_rice_antioxidants_health_benefits.html https://draxe.com/forbidden-rice/
This sounds yummy! But when do I put the other ingredients in like the tahini and maple syrup?
Ooops! Sorry Heather forgot to include that part of the recipe. I’ve updated the directions but basically after the rice is cooked you’d stir in the tahini, cocoa powder and maple syrup until well combined. Remove from the heat, add it to a bowl and top with some juicy berries and sesame seeds! C’mon on back and let me know if you try it 🙂