Healing Comfort Food: Coconut Black Rice Pudding Recipe

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year and it seems like the perfect metaphor for healing as old leaves fall away and the outside landscape changes to seasonal dormancy, in preparation for the new growth of spring. It is a magical time of year that ushers in the coziest comfort foods imaginable.

black rice pudding recipe | Dianna Bonny Photography

I have never been a big fan of risotto but I love the idea of its creamy and chunky texture – I’m just not a fan of the crunchy rice. This dish bridges the gap for me and can be eaten as a sweet or savory dish.

Forbidden rice looks black in its raw state, but cooks up to a lovely purple color, a perfect complement to Fall. From the Lotus Foods site:

“Extremely high in a class of flavonoid antioxidants called anthocyanins, Forbidden Rice is also rich in iron and, according to Chinese herbal medicine, considered to be blood tonifier.”

black rice | Dianna Bonny Photography

Coconut Black Rice Pudding

(adapted from Dr. Weil’s True Food Cookbook)

 

1 ¾ cups black rice

1 (14 oz) can light coconut milk

½ cup maple syrup

½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut

½ teaspoon salt

 

Run rice through a strainer and then place rinsed grains in a bowl with three cups of clean water. Let stand overnight.

Remove 1 ½ cups of the water and set aside. Place the rest of the water and rice in a pot for cooking.

Stir in the coconut milk, syrup, coconut and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil and then simmer over low heat for about one hour. Stir occasionally.

Test the rice to see if it is a suitable texture for you. If not, add some of the saved water and continue to cook. When it is ready, remove from the heat and let stand for 15 minutes.

At this point the rice can go three ways. Serve as is, or:

Sweet:

Add bananas, walnuts and honey. I used hemp milk but it would be good with cream too.

Savory:

Add beet slaw, cilantro, tomatoes and/or chicken.

Get creative! This delicious comfort food lends itself to whatever flavors your healing soul might need.

-db

Who is Dianna Bonny?

Hi, my name is Dianna Bonny. It’s my mission to candidly share my journey with you. For me, it’s all about the healing: to create a radiant healing energy for others who have befallen a similar fate. Together, we can forge beautiful lives of belonging and connection. Thanks for joining me today! I look forward to hearing from you.

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