Black glutinous rice, also known as black sticky rice, is the unpolished, whole grain of traditional sticky white rice. Despite its name, the colour of the rice is a deep, dark purple.
It has a nutty, chewy texture and has a natural sweetness. Unlike common white rice varieties, black rice is unprocessed, and healthier with more nutritional benefits. Its fibre-rich bran aids digestion, and it’s got more antioxidants and vitamin E compared to a similar amount of blueberries. Its deep purple hue contains anthocyanins, a powerful agent in fighting cancer and heart disease.
Usually enjoyed as a sweetened dish served with coconut milk in Southeast Asia, black glutinous rice commonly exists in the form of Bubur Pulut Hitam (black glutinous rice porridge) in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, and Khao Neow Dam (black sticky rice) in Thailand.
Using a basic Bubur Pulut Hitam recipe there are 3 different ways you can enjoy this healthy, gluten-free and no-bake dessert — warm, chilled as a wonderful chia seed pudding or frozen as popsicles.
Dessert 1: Bubur Pulut Hitam (Black Glutinous Rice Porridge)
What you’ll need
(Serves 2-4)
- 1 cup (180g) black glutinous rice
- 5 cups water
- 1 small block palm sugar (can be substituted with 90g brown sugar)
- 4 pandan leaves, tied into knots
- ¾ cup coconut milk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
How to make it
- Soak and wash the black glutinous rice thoroughly until the water runs clear. If possible, cover in water and soak overnight.
- Add the pandan leaves and water. Bring to a boil.
- Boil covered for 40 minutes over medium heat.
- Meanwhile, melt palm sugar over low heat. Add the palm sugar into the porridge and mix well.
- Turn the heat down to medium-low and boil for another 10 to 15 minutes.
- Add the salt, stir and let the mixture come to a simmer. Turn off the heat.
- Drizzle coconut cream when serving. Serve warm or cold.
Dessert 2: Black Glutinous Rice Chia Seed Pudding
What you’ll need
- Black glutinous rice porridge (recipe #1, as above)
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- Chia seeds
- Granola
- Yoghurt
How to make it
- Blitz porridge in blender with coconut milk
- Pour into small glasses and add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds per glass
- Chill mixture for at least 20 minutes, then top with granola and yoghurt, while serving.
Dessert 3: Black Glutinous Rice Popsicles
What you’ll need
- Black glutinous rice porridge (recipe #1, as above)
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
How to make it
- Biitz porridge in blender with coconut milk
- Pour into popsicle molds and freeze overnight.
- Enjoy!
Notes:
- Wash and rinse the rice thoroughly before washing
- Palm sugar gives the dessert a fragrant, aromatic taste, but can be replaced with brown sugar as a subsititute
- The coconut milk adds a creamy texture to the dessert and the amount can be varied, according to personal preference.
