Cranberry Orange Black Rice

 I found this recipe when we were shopping in Costco on sample day. We tried the sample and really liked how refreshing it was, especially when served cold.  It is also high in antioxidants and very simple to make. I sometimes experiment by using different types of nuts or adding a bit of orange juice to the mix.  If you give it a try, I think you will enjoy it.

 Ingredients:

3 cups cooked  Black Rice - I use Village Harvest I found at Costco

 

2 medium oranges  - Navel oranges work best for me, but use whatever you like best.

 

1/2 cup dried cranberries - I prefer to use the low sugar type by Ocean Spray

1/2 cup chopped chives - Fresh is best

1/4 cup pine nuts - These took me awhile to find but they are so worth it.

salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

When I first cooked this rice it looked a little strange because the water turned black, but that is normal.

How to cook rice for recipe  - 1 cup black rice - pinch of salt - 1 3/4 cups of water
Stir Rice and a pinch of salt into water in a small sauce pot. Bring to a boil, then turn heat to low and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to stand for 5-7 minutes. Uncover, fluff with a fork and serve. Makes about 3 cups of cooked rice.

Every thing else is very simple. Pretty much chop and mix.

• Zest 1 teaspoon of orange zest and set aside. Remove remaining peal from oranges and cut segments into 1/2-inch pieces. Toss orange segments and zest into a large bowl with cooked black rice. Mix in cranberries, chives and pine nuts. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve warm or room temperature.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes


 

Waffle Hash Browns

 In the last four posts we focused on recipes containing the beneficial and multiplex oats. We are going to veer off in another area and may come back in the future to more oat recipes. If you have a favorite oat recipe—or any healthy vegan recipe for that matter— that you would like to share, email it to SquashBlossomNews@gmail.com.  Also we care about what you think so please leave comments and feedback on this blog so we can provide recipes and information that our readers are wanting.

Our healthy and delicious waffles aren't the only reason you will want to invest in a waffle iron. Did you know you can make the most delicious hash browns with a waffle iron too? It's so easy and one of my families favorites. 

First, plug in your waffle iron (set on high) then peal as many potatoes as you will need for the number of people you plan to serve. I pealed 10-15 lbs. to feed around eight people. If you are using red or gold potatoes just scrub them well and leave the peal on for extra nutrition.

Grate the potatoes with a grater—the grater attachment on a food processor works great, especially if you are grating large quantities. After they are all grated rinse them with cold water to wash away some of the extra starch.

 Season the grated potatoes to your own taste. I use:

salt

garlic powder

onion powder

nutritional yeast

dried basil

Use whatever seasoning your like but be careful not to over season. The potato flavor is too good to cover up.

 Drizzle EVOL (extra virgin olive oil) over the potatoes and mix well with your hands.

 Spray your waffle iron with spray oil then put a thick layer of the grated potatoes.

 Close the lid and push it down with a little firmness so the potatoes mold into the waffle iron.

Cook for about 5-8 minutes. Lift lid carefully to check if the waffle is done. If it sticks use a fork to hold the hash brown down while you lift the lid slowly. Be sure to lightly spray each time to keep it from sticking.

When the waffle is golden brown it's ready to eat! Serve with Myrna's Healthy Ketchup (recipe in the previous post). You're going to love the crispy outside and steaming hot inside of these delicious Waffle Hash Browns!