Cauliflower Rice

Cauliflower Rice
Julia Gartland for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Liza Jernow.
Total Time
45 minutes
Rating
4(580)
Comments
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Cauliflower is a kitchen chameleon that’s available at most every grocery store year-round. Once pulverized into granules, it becomes a weeknight savior, keeping in the refrigerator for nearly a week and stepping in easily for normal rice. For the most flavorful cauliflower rice, use a little fat; add alliums like onion, garlic and scallions; and roast it instead of steaming or sautéing it, so the raw edges caramelize. Pop the little florets into the oven while you make the rest of dinner, then serve it as you would rice: with curry, a stir-fry, a protein and a vegetable, or just an egg on top. Cauliflower rice is also very amenable to having flavors added before or after roasting (see some ideas in the recipe below), or simply being eaten raw, dressed like a salad.

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Ingredients

Yield:10 to 12 cups raw; 4 to 5 cups cooked
  • 2medium cauliflowers (about 4 pounds total), cored and cut into florets
  • 6tablespoons olive oil
  • 2large garlic cloves, finely chopped (about 1 tablespoon), optional
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • For the Ginger-garlic Sauce

    • tablespoons canola or other neutral oil
    • 1(2-inch) piece ginger, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks
    • 4garlic cloves, thinly sliced
    • teaspoons sesame oil
    • ½teaspoon red-pepper flakes
    • Kosher salt

    For the Tahini-parmesan Sauce

    • 3tablespoons tahini
    • 2tablespoons lemon juice
    • ¼cup freshly grated Parmesan
    • Black pepper

    For the Thai-style Sauce

    • ½cup red onion or shallots, finely chopped
    • ¼cup scallions, thinly sliced
    • ½cup cilantro leaves and tender stems, roughly chopped
    • ¼cup mint leaves, roughly chopped
    • 2tablespoons fish sauce
    • 2tablespoons lime juice
    • 2teaspoons red-pepper flakes
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

233 calories; 18 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 11 grams monounsaturated fat; 4 grams polyunsaturated fat; 14 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams dietary fiber; 4 grams sugars; 6 grams protein; 493 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat the oven to 425 degrees if you’re serving the rice cooked.

  2. Step 2

    Fill a food processor halfway with cauliflower florets, then pulse until it breaks down to about ¼- and ⅛-inch pieces and resembles rice. Transfer to a very large bowl. Repeat with the remaining florets. The rice can be eaten at this point, or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5 days or in the freezer for 1 month.

  3. Step 3

    To serve warm, toss the rice with olive oil and garlic (if using), then spread in an even layer on 2 baking sheets. Season with salt and pepper. Roast until dark golden brown at the edges and lightly golden all over, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve plain or with 1 of the sauces below.

  4. Step 4

    For the ginger-garlic sauce: Heat oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. Add the ginger and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Turn off the heat, then stir in sesame oil, red-pepper flakes and a pinch of salt. Pour over cauliflower rice, toss to combine and serve at once.

  5. Step 5

    For the tahini-Parmesan sauce: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine 3 tablespoons water, tahini and lemon juice. Once warm, add grated Parmesan and continue stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce has come together. Season with black pepper. Drizzle over the cauliflower rice, to taste. Pass extra at the table.

  6. Step 6

    For Thai-style rice: To the cooked rice, add red onion, scallions, cilantro, mint, fish sauce, lime juice and red-pepper flakes. Toss to combine and serve at once.

Ratings

4 out of 5
580 user ratings
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Comments

Not to be sacrilegious, but the fresh, organic cauliflower rice sold in bags in many grocery store produce departments is excellent. Just be sure to check the freshness date. Sorry to be lazy, but there are times we all need convenience!

Use the grater attachment. It comes out perfectly every time.

Great low carb substitute. Loved the Thai style sauce! Make sure to chop or grate the garlic as fine as possible as it will easily burn in the oven.

This is just amazing. The store bought cauliflower rice gets soggy, but this one has small couscous quality to it, taste great, and is perfect side for many dishes. My only question is how best to preserve it in the freezer?

sautéed mushrooms, chalets, and garlic to add more flavor; good nutrition

We love this. It is much better than the store bought which can be soggy. The texture is between rice and couscous. It goes with so many things. One question, what is the best way to store it and reheat? Can you freeze it?

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