Tender and sweet cauliflower is gently cooked in butter or coconut oil, and then tossed with tamari or coconut aminos for a simple, yet delicious dish that mimics one of our favorite foods – rice. (Related: find out why we started to eat white rice, instead of brown here).
Cauliflower faux rice is very yummy and even if it isn’t exactly like rice, we really enjoy it. It’s become pretty popular in the low-carb or paleo crowd because it is just delicious. As a family who isn’t grain-free, we just like to eat it because it tastes good and is a great way to prepare cauliflower.
Of course, you can make this much more complicated then this simple version (adjust your favorite dirty rice or fried rice using cauliflower rice for example!), but simple is delicious as well.
As half of our family is gluten-free, we always use tamari in place of regular soy sauce, which is basically soy sauce made without the wheat. It has a very deep wonderful flavor that we love. We have been buying this brand, found at my affiliate partner, good old Amazon. But I understand that some people are allergic to soy, or would just rather not have any soy (we eat limited soy in traditional, fermented form). If that is you, you could consider coconut aminos, which is made with aged coconut nectar and mineral-rich sea salt. I find that it tastes a little like a teriyaki sauce as it has a sweeter taste than tamari. (I can find this at my local health food store, and it’s also available at my partner, Amazon).
- 1 head of cauliflower
- 2-4 tablespoons butter, ghee, coconut oil, or oil/fat of choice
- Tamari (soy sauce without wheat) or Coconut Aminos
- Wash cauliflower and pull of any leaves and remove the core with a sharp knife. Cut it into florets.
- Using a food processor with a medium grater, process the cauliflower through. OR, you can process using the S blade, and pulse it until it is chopped into rice sized pieces (approx.). I prefer the grated cauliflower texture, however.
- In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of fat of choice over medium to medium-high heat. Add half the cauliflower, and gently sauté until the cauliflower is tender, but not mushy. I don’t salt it while it is cooking, as it would make the cauliflower release moisture, which would steam, rather than sauté the cauliflower. It generally takes me 5-6 minutes for each batch.
- Once the first half is cooked, repeat with the second half while keeping the first batch warm. Season with a little extra butter and tamari or coconut aminos and serve right away. I find that as this cools you taste the cauliflower more, but when it is hot, you taste the butter and tamari more.
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Okay, probably pretty obvious to most people, but I appreciate the tip about not salting while cooking as it would release moisture and result in steamed cauliflower. I have made cauliflower rice on several occasions and it is usual mushy, but I just thought that was how it was supposed to be. I feel encouraged to try it again! ~Sharon
Sharon,
It does make a difference! Also, that is why I cook it in two batches. It would all fit in a large pan, but by doing two batches, it helps pan-fry it, instead of steam it, as well. 🙂
Do you mind sharing what store you find coconut aminos at (in the Portland area). I checked at the People’s Coop a month or so ago and they said they don’t stick it. Thanks for the recipe! Seems like a fun one to experiment with.
I’ve seen it at New Seasons Market. 🙂
If I have the oven going I’ve been known to dump the grated cauliflower on a half sheet pan that is well lubed with bacon grease, stir it around to get the grease onto the cauliflower, and stick it in the oven to roast as I would larger florets. That tastes more like fried rice.
Sounds like it would taste amazing!
What temp. Do you roast it at?
Thanks!
Andrea,
Great idea, curious at what temp you set the oven at and for how long?
I love Cauliflower Rice!
I do not cut out and discard the core. It is very nutritious. I just grate it on a box grater and include it in the dish. I do the same with cabbage cores when making sauerkraut. Waste not want not.
My family LOVES cauliflower rice. I add a dash of mustard along with the soy sauce. It gives it a nice ‘kick’.
That sounds delicious!
We tried this yesterday for the first time. What a hit! Due to heating issues the neighbors came over to
dinner and I served this. They asked what it was, and since they don’t like veggies, I said, Faux Rice. They
ate it and liked it, and then asked again what it was. I explained and they were shocked! They even wanted
the recipe!!
Haha, that’s great! So glad you converted people to eat at least one vegetable dish. 🙂
How does this store &/or reheat so I can make ahead & take over as a side to a sick friend?