Halloween Party Food:
Black and Orange Rice


This Black and Orange Rice makes great Halloween party food. The Halloween colours look pretty, and the chicken stock makes this rice taste extra special.

halloween rice side dish



Make a big bowl of Black and Orange Rice to serve as a side dish with supper on Halloween night. You'll feel great, knowing that your kids are eating something nutritious before their annual sugar rush!

Or serve this as part of a buffet supper at a Halloween party for adults! This recipe is easily multiplied if you're expecting a crowd.



Check that you have these staples at home

  • in the cupboard

    • prepared chicken stock
    • white Basmati rice
    • a small can of black beans
    • salt

  • in the fridge or freezer

    • butter

Buy these fresh ingredients

  • a small butternut squash

Get out your equipment

  • a saucepan with a lid
  • a can opener
  • a cutting board and sharp knife
  • measuring cups and spoons




The recipe

3 cups/750 mL chicken stock

2 cups/500 mL white Basmati rice

3/4 cup/180 mL cooked black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup/125 mL peeled and diced butternut squash

1 Tbsp/15 mL butter

1/2 tsp/2 ml salt

In a saucepan, bring the stock to a boil.

Add the rice, beans, squash, butter and salt.

Return to a boil.
Reduce heat.
Simmer, covered, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender (about 20 minutes).



Substitutions

  • To make this a vegetarian side dish, use vegetable stock in place of the chicken stock.

  • Use another rice in place of the white Basmati. (You may need to adjust your cooking time.)

  • Use another type of winter squash instead of the butternut squash.

  • If you're not making this for Halloween party food, use pinto beans or another type of beans instead of black beans.

Ideas for making this recipe your own

  • Add some spices to the saucepan. How about a bit of curry powder? Some parsley? Different spices will give this a completely different taste!

  • Add a bit of tamari, or Worcestershire sauce, or hot sauce.

  • Use your own homemade chicken stock or vegetable stock.

Tips

  • To make this an even more economical rice side dish, soak and cook dried beans instead of using canned.

  • Save any leftover cooked beans. Use them in burritos, or eat them with rice and salsa for a quick lunch or dinner.

  • You'll use just a small part of a butternut squash. Bake the rest of the squash at 400F/200C for about an hour and either eat it now, or save it for another time.




If you enjoy this Halloween party food recipe, you may also like these other Halloween recipes: