Black Rice With Scallions And Sweet Potatoes Food

BLACK BEANS AND RICE YOUR WAY

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 450°F.
• Toss sweet potatoes with oil and salt, then spread in 1 layer in a large shallow baking pan. Roast, stirring and turning over once or twice, until tender and browned, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Bring water, rice, and salt to a boil in a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan, then reduce heat and cook, tightly covered, until rice is tender and water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Let stand, covered, off heat 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
• Toast pumpkin seeds in a dry 10- to 12-inch heavy skillet (not nonstick; preferably cast-iron) over moderate heat, stirring, until seeds are puffed and pale golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and stir in oil and salt to taste.
• Reheat black beans, thinning with water if necessary, then serve along with rice, sweet potatoes, pumpkin seeds, and accompaniments, each in a separate bowl.

FORBIDDEN BLACK RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Bring rice, water and pinch of salt to a quick bowl, cover and lower heat to a simmer for 30 minutes.
• Let rice sit while you whisk together sesame oil and tamari.
• While rice is still warm toss in the sesame oil and tamari mixture.
• Let cool, then add sweet potatoes, red peppers, yellow peppers, scallions, and salt, pepper to taste.

PEANUT SOUP WITH RICE AND SCALLIONS

Steps:

• 1. Warm the oil in a wide soup pot set over high heat. Add the onions, bell peppers, ginger, and sweet potatoes, and saute, stirring frequently until the onions have begun to color, 8 to 10 minutes, adding the garlic after the first 5 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon salt, several good twists of the pepper mill, and the cayenne to taste, and cook a few minutes longer.
• 2. Add the tomatoes and scrape the pot to lift up any brown bits from the bottom. Add the water or stock, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 25 minutes.
• 3. Add the peanut butter and cook, stirring, until it has dissolved
• 4. Remove 2 cups of the soup and purée with the tofu until perfectly smooth. Return this mixture to the soup. (If you wish, purée the entire soup.) Taste for salt and for the heat level, adding more cayenne if desired.
• 5. Serve with 1/3 cup rice mounded in each bowl and plenty of scallions scattered over the top.

BLACK RICE WITH SCALLIONS AND SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Rinse rice in a sieve under cold water. Bring rice, water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a 1 1/2- to 2-quart heavy saucepan, then reduce heat to low and cook rice, covered, until tender and most of water is absorbed, about 30 minutes. Let rice stand, covered, off heat 10 minutes.
• While rice cooks, heat oil in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté scallions, ginger, and sweet potato, stirring, until coated well, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to moderate and add remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste, then cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until potato is just tender, about 12 minutes. Add rice and toss gently to combine.
• *Available at Kalustyan's (800-352-3451) and Indian Harvest (800-294-2433; indianharvest.com).