Cumin Scented Black Rice and Quinoa

This past weekend I had my graduation party. We spent some time planning out the menu - pasta salad, Ceaser Salad, Goat Cheese and Spinach Salad, Shredded Carrot with Scallions and Peas over Mixed Greens , Italian Sausage with onions and peppers, hamburgers, hot dogs, fruit salad, and a cake. We needed another starchy side dish, and neither of us being big fans of potato salad (too much mayonnaise for my taste), I remembered a dish I had at my friend Lauren's house at a recent dinner party. It was delicious, I remember loving the side dish she made, quinoa with brown rice cumin and vegetables. I adapted her recipe a bit, as the original one calls for black rice, and I added more garlic and brown rice, in addition to the black rice.

It was a hit at the party and it tasted even better the day after! I'm not sure why but my guess is that the spices and flavors had more time to infuse into the rice and quinoa.

The recipe below serves 8 but I personally think it is enough for at least 10 or 12 people as a side dish. It can be served either cold or warm. I think it would taste great with tomatoes, avocados or cucumbers added to it, or maybe even sweet potato or butternut squash in the winter time, served warm.

Recipe Adapted from Bon Apetit

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup short-grain black rice
• 1/2 cup brown rice
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed well
• 2 cups water or vegetable/chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 3-4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 2 small onions, finely chopped
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons cumin seeds
• 3-4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley (or chives)
• 2 teaspoons basil
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Cook brown rice and black rice separately. Black rice turns the water purple, and if cooked with the brown rice will also turn it purple.

1. Bring brown rice and 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until water is absorbed and rice is tender, 25-30 minutes.  Do the same with the black rice.

2. Meanwhile, combine quinoa, bay leaf, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 2 cups chicken broth (gives it more flavor) in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes. Drain; return quinoa to hot saucepan. Cover and let sit for 15 minutes. 

3.Discard bay leaf, fluff quinoa with a fork, and transfer to a large bowl.

4. While the quinoa and rice are  cooking, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 

5. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 8 minutes. 

6. Add garlic and cumin and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. 

7. Add to quinoa. 

8. Then add rice and mix well. 

9. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons oil (optional, I started with one and didn't add the second tablespoon), fresh lemon juice, cilantro, parsley, and basil. 

10. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cut avocado into wedges. 

11. Serve salad cold or warm. Serve with lemon on the side, optional.