Packed with crunchy and creamy Thai flavors, simple to make Forbidden Rice Salad with Mango, Bok Choy and Coconut Curried Dressing is meal prep easy, hearty and so satisfying! vegan + gluten free
New to forbidden rice? I was a few years back. But I spied this beautiful black grain at our Co-op’s bulk section and since it was new to me, I had to give it a go. It has become a pantry staple and for good reason.
Not only is forbidden rice packed with fiber and good for us nutrients but, it’s considered a super food.
Forbidden rice has the same amount of the antioxident anthrocyanin as blueberries!
It has a nutty, mild flavor with a texture similar to that of short grain brown rice. When cooked, its color turns a deep rich purple hue. Because of its dark color, forbidden rice makes vibrant veggies show off their flashy color when mixed together.
It pairs deliciously with Thai flavors and one of my favorite ingredients, coconut milk.
A Few Recipe Notes:
- Forbidden Rice Salad with Mango, Bok Choy and Coconut Curried Dressing is ideal for meal prep, taking to potlucks, picnics, and tucking into your love’s lunch box. It travels with ease!
- You will have coconut milk leftover from making the dressing. Freeze it in an ice cube tray to later toss into smoothies or in a lidded jar for later use in curries or Pina Coladas!
- I rarely remember or plan accordingly to do this, but if you do, soak the rice overnight to improve digestibility. If soaking overnight, start checking the rice at around 20 minutes (non soaking cook time is around 25-30 minutes). When done cooking it will be tender, not mushy. Drain off any excess water.
- The recipe as written calls for one mango (as pictured). I sometimes add two if I have another on hand. This time, I cut into the second mango and it was brown and mushy :/ . If you love mangos, use two! This mango hack from Foodie Crush makes slicing mangos a breeze!
- If preparing the salad where it will set for a few hours before serving (potluck, BBQ, party etc), hold the mango out, chop it up and toss it in just before serving. This way, the mango will stay firm. If making the salad for meal prep, I go ahead and add the mango, so long as it’ll be eaten over a three day period. They do get a bit softer/mushy, but I don’t really mind and the flavor is still vibrant.
Have you tried forbidden rice? If not, put it on your list! Here’s a few other forbidden rice recipes I love:
- Forbidden Rice Morning Cereal Bowl with Berries from Foolproof Living
- Porcini, Greens and Forbidden Rice Gratin
- Spicy Peanut Tofu Bowl with Coconut Forbidden Rice
Forbidden Rice Salad with Mango, Bok Choy and Coconut Curried Dressing
Packed with crunchy and creamy flavors, simple to make Forbidden Rice Salad with Mango, Bok Choy and Coconut Curried Dressing is meal prep easy, hearty and so satisfying! Be sure to read the recipe notes above in the blog post for tips on this recipe! vegan + gluten free (the time below does not include the time needed to fully cool the rice - about an hour)
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 C (195g) Forbidden Rice uncooked
- 2 C (470g) Water
- 1 C (135g) Whole Cashews raw
- 3 C (250g) Baby Bok Choy chopped into bite size pieces, about 1 medium
- 1 1/2 C (200g) Red Bell Pepper chopped small, about 1 medium
- 1 C (150g) Mango flesh diced, about 1 mango (take this to two cups if you looove mangos!)
- 1/4 C (30g) Green Onions sliced thin, white and green parts, about 4
- 2 Tbs Thai Basil or Cilantro chopped fine, plus whole leaves for garnish
- 1 Tbs Sesame Seeds
For the Dressing*:
- 1/2 C (115g) Coconut Milk full fat, the canned variety
- 1 Tbs Lime Juice fresh squeezed + lime wedges for serving
- 1 1/2 Tbs Tamari
- 1/2 tsp Curry Powder hot madras if you can!
- 1 tsp Fresh Garlic grated on a microplane
- 1 tsp Fresh Ginger grated on a microplane
- 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes or Sriracha (add more to taste)
- 2 1/2 tsp Maple Syrup or Honey add more to taste
Instructions
Make the Rice:
-
Rinse the black rice well and drain. In a medium sauce pot, add the rice, and water. Bring to a boil, and turn heat to low. Cook with lid on for 25-30 minutes (start checking it at about 25 minutes). When the rice is done, no water will remain and the rice will be tender. Place rice in a large mixing bowl and set in refrigerator to cool.
For the Salad:
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Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Toast the cashews for 12-14 minutes or until fragrant and golden. Set aside to cool. Rough chop the cashews leaving some whole.
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To the large mixing bowl with the rice, add the bok choy, bell pepper, mango, green onions, cilantro or Thai basil and sesame seeds. Once cooled, add the cashews. Pour about half the dressing (see below) over the salad, toss, then add more dressing to taste. Refrigerate or serve right away. If refrigerating and serving later, pull the salad at least 30 minutes prior to service. This will allow the coconut milk solids to soften.
Garnish salad with lime wedges, more sesame seeds and Thai basil or cilantro.
For the Dressing:
-
In a medium lidded jar, add the coconut milk, lime juice, Tamari, curry powder, garlic, ginger, pepper flakes or Sriracha, and maple syrup or honey. Shake, shake .... shake it up! (make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 3 days)
Recipe Notes
*If time permits, make the dressing at least three days ahead and store it in the fridge. Its flavor improves with time.
I was just looking for ways to use pak choy and came across this recipe on Pinterest. What’s interesting is that I just bought black rice last month and we’ve had it a couple of time already! The only ingredient I don’t have on hand is the mango, but that’s not a big deal, I think. We’re just going to get our first farm CSA box this week and one of the included veggies is pak choy. So, will have to try this out and will report back as to how it went. Bet it will be great!
Isn’t forbidden rice just fabulous? I’ve used pak choy too… it’s so similar to bok choy (is it the same?!). Pineapple would be a good sub for mango in this, canned if you have it! But the mango adds so much interest, if you can get your hands on one. I hope you enjoy it!
Made this last night, and it’s now my new very favorite salad! Shared the recipe on line and everyone is excited to try it!
Hooray! Thank you for your note Selva! So happy you’re enjoying the recipe!
I made this for dinner tonight, and it was divine. I am sure this will be a summer staple in our house.
So happy to hear, Claudia! Thank you for your note!
It’s just the best name, isn’t it. I mean, who wouldn’t want to eat something forbidden? :d I love how you’ve dressed it up Traci – speaking of nutrient rich, I think I could live off the goodness in this bowl for a month! Your dressing sounds tongue tingling divine and I can’t wait to try Heidi’s method for slipping mangoes out of their skin! (I just need to make sure I buy ripe ones). Beautiful work Traci.
Right? I love this salad, Kelly and the flavors improve with a bit of time. I just want to keep exploring forbidden rice and of course making quick work out of mangos :D
Wow, this is almost too pretty to eat Traci!
Dig IN Sue! :D
I have never had forbidden rice, but I am confident I need to start with yours! I love how antioxidant rich it is – plus all those colorful fruits and veggies. And mangoes! Oh, I’m swooning over this, Traci. Just beautiful!!
Oh goodness, Tessa! I know you’d love it! It is soooo good with mango too! xo
I haven’t had forbidden rice in forever but it’s delicious. I love the way you incorporated it into this colorful salad. That dressing sounds crazy good!
I love it so much Sarah! I tend to forget about it too much… I do keep it in the pantry, just need to enjoy it more often!
Such vibrant Thai flavours in here Traci! Everything about this looks delicious. I love cooking with forbidden rice.
Thank you Jess! Isn’t it SO good!?
Oh my dear friend, what a great salad you made here. Seriously, I am blown away from all these amazing flavors. Also, I love that you always pack your recipes with so much helpful information.
Also thanks so SO much for including my post in there as well. You are the best.
Thank you Aysegul! You bet… Forbidden rice is new to me in the breakfast department – so I love how you’ve showcased it in your post! Delicious!
I actually have some forbidden rice in my cupboard, Traci! I haven’t used it yet but it was in the bulk bins and I thought it looked very interesting – wasn’t sure how to use it – so now I have a plan! This looks so colorful – with the bright colors contrasting beautifully with the dark rice. I always have a mango cutting problem because of the hard center – I never get my mangos to look as beautiful as the two halves shown in your process shots – have to figure out that trick! Hope you’re having a good weekend.
Oh my, Geraldine! I hope you do give it a go! I can’t wait to see what you’ll create with forbidden rice! Here’s a video for that mango cutting trick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvLdPjpELyU Have fun with it! xo
Traci, this looks so good. We’ve not cooked with black rice but looking forward to trying it in this recipe.
I hope you enjoy it Tom and discover something new!
I’ve never had forbidden rice before but ALL the flavors and colors of this recipe will surely have me seeking it out. This is a stunner! Enjoy your weekend, Traci!
Ooooh… I hope you’ll give it a go, Jean! It’s SO rich and just fabulous!
I love using forbidden rice bc it has such a distinct flavor to it and it holds up really well to dressings! The mango looks so good in here with the contrasting colors. Happy Spring to you my dear and this looks like the perfect addition to any Easter table!
Thank you Karen! It is very distinct… beyond just nutty too… it has a sweet side as well! I love how it plays off the colors of the veggies as well. :D
I love these Thai flavors, what a perfect salad for spring!
Thank you Laura! :D
me too, love forbidden rice but it’s been a while since I’ve pulled it out, so thank you for reminding me!! What a vibrant salad… that dressing sounds so good with the curry and ginger. love and hugs, girl! xo
It’s sooo good, right? Time to pull it down from the pantry, Emily! I know you’re a fan of mangos! :D
Wow! This is gorgeous! I have not tried it, but in the last 24 hours I’ve seen it twice! That’s a sign! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend! xo
Thank you Annie! I love that you’ve seen it twice… it’s a sign! lol! xo
What a gorgeous salad Traci! The colors are just beautiful. And the flavors too. That dressing sounds amazing. And I had no idea forbidden rice was comparable to the antioxidant level of blueberries. Can’t wait to try this!
Thank you, Mary Ann! A nice surprise in that Forbidden Rice! I hope you and Tom enjoy it!