The Black Rice Pudding Recipe ( Chak-hao )

Recipe of the Black Rice Pudding or The Forbidden Rice Puding

Image Source - owned by me, Meghna Rajkonwar

Category :Recipes

While white rice is the most common type of rice variety, brown rice has also gained popularity over the years because of its nutritional properties. But, have you heard of black rice? I will not be surprised if you haven't heard of it yet. Here I am going to present a recipe to make black rice pudding also known as the forbidden rice or Chak-hao.

I had the amazing opportunity to try this rice and I was awed by it. A friend of mine from Manipur gifted me some black rice, that was the first time I discovered this amazing ingredient. So, I want to share this amazing rice pudding recipe that will make you drool and leave you craving for more of it. If you have a sweet tooth and is always looking for new and refreshing dessert recipes, this one is for you, my friend. You will not be disappointed by this aromatic, creamy and royal dessert.

Black Rice is also known as the 'Forbidden Rice' and there's an interesting reason behind it. The story of this mysterious variety of rice began in ancient China.

According to the Chinese legends, black rice was amongst the secret ingredients which were served only to the royal families. It was cultivated in limited quantities under strict surveillance. Any common man caught cultivating or consuming black rice without permission was in danger of execution.

In India, black rice is cultivated exclusively in North-East India, especially in Manipur. It is popularly known as 'chak-hao' in the local language of Manipur. 'Chak' means rice and 'ahoba' means delicious.

This wild variety of rice has extensive nutritional benefits. The outer layer of this rice grain has a high level of antioxidants, the deep purple hue of the rice grain is an indication of this. Black rice contains more Vitamins B and E, niacin, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc compared to white rice. It is rich in fiber, has less calorie and carbohydrate content which qualifies it as a superfood to lose weight. Black rice has anti-cancerous properties that aid in terminating tumor metastasis, the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. Black rice aids in heart health and liver detoxification as well. So, what are you waiting for? Make sure to add black rice to your diet ASAP.

The problem is that black rice is not easily available in the market as compared to white/brown rice. You can buy it online, there are a few websites that sell black rice, or on your next trip to North-East India, make sure to get yourself this amazing and mysterious variety of rice.

Ingredients

1 cup Black Rice
2 cups full-fat milk
2-3 Cardamom pods
1 bay leaf
2-3 tablespoons ghee
Dry fruits of your choice
Sugar as per taste (½ cup approximately)

Procedure

Wash and rinse the rice properly. Soak the rice in some clean water for about 2-3 hours before cooking it.
In a heavy bottomed pan, add the milk and let it boil in a low flame until it reaches a creamy consistency.
Add the cardamom pods and the bay leaf to the milk.
Now, add the rice to the pan. Stir occasionally and scrape the sides of any residue sticking to it.
Add the sugar and let the rice cook for about 1 and ½ hours. You will see the rice soften and the consistency of the pudding will thicken. Keep checking.
In a separate pan, add ghee and sauté the dry fruits for about a minute or until they are light golden brown.
Add the dry fruits to your pudding.
Turn off the flame and let it rest for some time. Keep it in the fridge for about 2-3 hours before serving.

Devour this irresistible, delicious and healthy pudding to pamper your taste buds and leave your palate completely satisfied.