Different versions of cauliflower rice appear on blogs, in health-conscious recipe books and in lifestyle magazines. Touted as having many nutritional benefits in comparison to white rice, and with a cauliflower in the crisper to use up, I thought I would give it a try. I made a fried cauliflower "rice" with it and this is how it turned out:
Fried cauliflower rice...with chicken!
All you need to turn a creamy white cauliflower into an alternative "rice" is a food processor. I put florets of fresh cauliflower into my processor and blitzed it for a few seconds at a time until I had a rice-like texture. A great base for a fried "rice"!
A great alternative to rice!
I added this blitzed cauliflower to a large frypan where I had some chopped vegies & spring onion already stir-fried in a little olive oil. I put in some frozen green peas and leftover chicken from the night before too. Tossed together with a good glug of tamari sauce and cooked until the cauliflower was tender, but not soggy, it made for a delicious meal.
So, is it my new favourite way to eat cauliflower? No! That title shall forever be held by the creamy, cheesy and decidedly not-as-healthy cauliflower gratin that my Mum used to cook for us as girls. Would anyone mistake the cauliflower for rice? No! But it was a different way to enjoy cauliflower and was relatively quick to cook too because blitzing the cauliflower took me less time than it would to prepare the brown rice I usually use for fried rice. Nutritious and easy!
I used this online recipe as a bit of a guide while I was cooking. These are plenty of other recipes out there for everything from a plain cauliflower rice that you can serve with curries to this version of fried rice with all the trimmings.
So, is it my new favourite way to eat cauliflower? No! That title shall forever be held by the creamy, cheesy and decidedly not-as-healthy cauliflower gratin that my Mum used to cook for us as girls. Would anyone mistake the cauliflower for rice? No! But it was a different way to enjoy cauliflower and was relatively quick to cook too because blitzing the cauliflower took me less time than it would to prepare the brown rice I usually use for fried rice. Nutritious and easy!
I used this online recipe as a bit of a guide while I was cooking. These are plenty of other recipes out there for everything from a plain cauliflower rice that you can serve with curries to this version of fried rice with all the trimmings.
The humble cauliflower waiting to be turned into cauliflower rice.
If you have a creamy, fresh cauliflower and want to try something new, you might enjoy this easy and delicious fried "rice" too.
What's your favourite way to cook cauliflower?
Meg
I've made cauliflower rice a couple of times, everyone seems to like it, and I see it as a good way to get more veggies into everyone. Like you my favorite way to eat it is in a white, cheesy sauce đŸ˜‹
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely be making it again, Cheryl because it was yummy and, as you say, a great way to get more veggies into a meal. Meg:)
Deletei used to love cauliflower in cheese sauce with home cooked pickle pork (ham)
ReplyDeletecan't eat it now
your 'rice' looks good
thanx for sharing
I only make cauliflower gratin occasionally now, Selina. All that butter and cheese! Meg:)
DeleteYour fried cauliflower rice and chicken looks scrumptious Meg. I'm a huge fan of cauliflower rice. Sometimes I fry it and other times lightly steam. I now want to give the cauliflower pizza bases a go.
ReplyDeleteKylie
Let us know how your pizza bases go, Kylie. Sounds interesting! Meg:)
DeleteDuring winter I always meant to cook cauliflower rice, Meg. I didn't though. I have heard some people say it is delicious.
ReplyDeleteIt was quite nice, Chel, and I will make it again when next I have a cauliflower. Meg:)
DeleteI quite like cauliflower rice, it is great for a change and a way to get extra veges in the diet, but I still love cauliflower with cheese sauce but it must have lots of crunchy crumbs on top.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes! Crunchy crumbs on top are the best bit! Meg:)
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