Brazilian Black Rice

This dish from Uxua hotel chef Aladim Alves traces its roots to the 1970s, when the beaches of Trancoso, Brazil, were a favorite hippie destination. It combines richly flavored Bahian seafood with healthy whole-grain black rice.

Ingreadient

  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 1 cup black rice (see Note)
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3/4 pound medium shrimp, shelled and deveined
  • 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary
  • 3/4 pound cleaned small squid, bodies sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick
  • 1/3 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce

Direction

  1. In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil with the rice. Cover and simmer over moderately low heat until tender, 45 minutes.
  2. In a medium skillet, cook the onion and garlic in the butter over moderate heat until softened. Stir in the rice, season with salt and pepper, cover and keep warm.
  3. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the shrimp and 1/2 teaspoon of the rosemary; season with salt and pepper. Cook over moderate heat, turning once, until just white throughout; transfer to a plate.
  4. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil to the skillet; increase the heat to moderately high. Add half of the squid and 1/4 teaspoon of the rosemary; season with salt and pepper. Cook, turning once, until the squid is just firm, 1 minute; transfer to the plate. Repeat with the remaining squid, 1/2 tablespoon of oil and 1/4 teaspoon of rosemary.
  5. Add the wine to the skillet and cook for 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the tomato sauce and the seafood; cook just until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Mound the rice on plates, top with the seafood and sauce and serve right away.
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