Anybody have experience with black rice?

[Paladin]

I saw some at an Oriental grocery store, recently; it looked intriguing and worth a try. Can any of you tell me how it tastes, and how it cooks up in a basic rice cooker? Recipe suggestions? (I know there are probably hundreds of recipes online, but I would appreciate some personal input.) Many thanks.

[Major Nikon]

1. I haven't ever prepared it

But it's a whole grain rice so I suspect you'd prepare it the same as you would brown rice (not converted brown rice). This means the cooking times will be 2-3 times more than white or converted brown rice.

[Paladin]

2. Thanks. Turns out black rice is also referred to as "Forbidden Rice."

Which, of course, makes it even more attractive. I'm going to get some and give it a try.

[Major Nikon]

3. You might get some regular brown rice while you're at it

You may want to mix the two together before cooking, or you can mix it with something like long grain white rice after cooking.

Some exotic varieties of rice that I've tried weren't that good by themselves, but when mixed with other more conventional varieties they became quite nice.

[bif]

6. Wild rice? I've made it a couple times.

It's good mixed with brown rice. It had a nice, nutty flavor. I read somewhere that it's not actually rice but in the grass family.

[spinbaby]

4. I've experimented with it

I found it has an unpleasant texture when it's cooked like regular rice. I had the best results baking it with coconut milk in a covered casserole.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

5. I have made risotto with black rice

The purplish color was very interesting and the flavor was pretty good (use a weakish vegetable stock, as chicken stock's flavor overwhelms the flavor of the rice).

However, it took me TWO HOURS to cook the rice. I doubt I'm doing that again.

[azurnoir]

7. Most black or purple rice sold in Asian grocery stores is sticky rice

also known a sweet or glutinous rice, it requires a different cooking process from 'regular' rice in that you soak it in water for a minimum of 4 hours and then steam it for about 25 to 30 minutes. The traditional pot and basket are available in Asian grocery stores too and usually pretty cheap about $15.00 for the 2, you cover it with a pot lid that will fit down inside both the basket and rim of the pot

the pot and basket look like this

[Paladin]

8. Thanks for the responses, I think they will be helpful. (nt)

[Melissa G]

9. I like black rice a lot. My spouse not so much.

It is a tougher texture. The advice already mentioned makes sense to me. I am liking grains which are less popular because I think that may correlate to them being less modified. My working theory anyway.

[noamnety]

10. My experience is somewhat limited

But I can tell you that if you accidentally spill some in your freezer, it will look like mouse poop and depress you for at least a few months until you empty the whole freezer and clean it.

[Paladin]

11. Now THERE'S a housekeeping tip I bet you'll never hear from Martha Stewart!