Regardless of the method you use, it is easy to flavor and incorporates in salads, just like I did it in this Black Rice Salad recipe. Also referred to as Emperor’s rice, forbidden rice or purple rice, it offers many health benefits and is packed with antioxidant properties. Not to mention, black rice contains more fiber, iron, and protein than regular brown rice or white rice. If you are a fan of salads made with grains like this one, try my other reader favorites like Wild Rice Salad, Turkish Bulgur Salad, and Mediterranean Quinoa Salad all of which are just as creative and delicious as this cold black rice salad recipe. This recipe has been adapted from America’s Test Kitchen’s cookbook The Complete Salad Cookbook (affiliate link.)
The Rice Salad Vinaigrette Dressing: You will need rice vinegar, shallot (or red onion), honey, Asian chili-garlic sauce (I used Huy Fong – affiliate link), garlic, ginger, olive oil, and toasted sesame oil.The Black Rice: You will need rinsed black rice, water and kosher salt.
The Veggies: This salad combines crunchy snap peas (or edamame), crisp radishes, sweet red or yellow bell pepper, and fresh cilantro.
Substitutions:
Snap Peas: If you can’t find snap peas, use shelled edamame. They are usually sold in the frozen section of the grocery store and available all year round.Bell Peppers: I love the pop of color bell pepper offer, but if you like spicy flavors you can add in a small jalapeno as well.Not a fan of cilantro? Just omit it.
Chicken Recipes to pair with this salad:
Chicken Lo Mein restaurant styleBaked Split Chicken BreastsThai Lemongrass Chicken
Seafood recipes to pair with this salad:
Breaded fishGrilled Shrimp Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna
Vegetable recipes to pair with this recipe:
Roasted Japanese TurnipsSweet Potato NoodlesRoasted Whole Carrots
