Have I ever mentioned that I love rice? Ha! Forbidden rice is my favorite rice. I discovered it at a restaurant a couple years ago while we were away for the weekend celebrating our wedding anniversary. I then HAD to find it for my own kitchen. I use Lotus Foods Forbidden Rice. As usual, this dish comes with lots of veggies. I had a hankering for something with ginger. It was just sitting there looking lovely at Whole Foods, so I grabbed a knob of it. Then I combined all of these flavors for this light and spicy dish.
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Sesame Ginger Chicken with Broccoli and Carrots

  • 1 clove garlic, pressed/minced
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp fresh minced ginger
  • 2 tsp coriander
  •  1tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom
  • 1/4 tsp white ground pepper
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 small limes juiced (or one large lime juiced)
  • 1/2 tbsp honey
  • Broccoli. I used 3 small heads of broccoli
  • Carrots, julienned. I used 4 small/medium carrots.
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
  • 1/4 c fresh coarsely chopped basil
  • Red pepper flakes optional and to taste. I recommend them!
  • Forbidden black rice, prepared

Cut chicken into chunks. Heat the sesame oil and garlic for 1-2 minutes. Add chicken, ginger, coriander, cumin, cardamom, white pepper, sea salt, vinegar, lime juice, and honey. Cook chicken through. Add the broccoli, carrots, and sesame seeds. I covered with a lid to help steam the veggies a bit.

Once the veggies are cooked to your liking add the basil and stir to combine. Serve over the black rice. Sprinkle each dish with red pepper flakes. This is optional but I really loved the kick it had. I sprinkled about 1/4 tsp on my bowl. I skipped it for my little guy. He isn’t so into spicy foods yet. Kid taste buds and all.

Note: I tend to cook my broccoli a little longer so that it is easier to digest. I LOVE broccoli but sometimes it doesn’t agree with me. I have found that if I make sure it is cooked through I have an easier time digesting it. Last night was no exception. I know there is debate over eating cruciferous veggies raw or steamed. As of late, the tide has been turning toward it still being very nutritional to eat them cooked. My take on it is, I want to eat them, but I simply cannot tolerate them raw. I would rather lose some nutrients than be unable to consume them at all.