Cauliflower Fried 'Rice'

Saturday, February 22, 2014


Have to admit, I was into all things paleo when it first burst into the scene. Can't imagine life without cakes and cookies, but was willing to try substitutions wherever convenient. This was one of them, fried rice without the rice, much less the carbs, sounds amazing to me.

Making traditional fried rice requires you to have a batch of rice already made and preferably cold from the fridge before you begin. Meaning, you pretty much have to plan to make it the day before and cook a double batch. That's all fine and well, unless of course, your fridge is always full, like mine.

Cauliflower fried rice, on the other hand, can be made almost instantaneously. Okay, it wasn't that quick... it isn't like chucking a boxed dinner into the microwave (and we hope to never have to resort to that). But with a few minutes of prep involving onions, garlic and ginger, you will elevate this dish to the indiscernible. Then it's just your fillings, chicken or not, the all purpose frozen carrots/corn/peas mix, some soya sauce, sesame oil, salt and pepper to taste, and done! Seriously, that simple.

None of the kids saw me prepare this and when I announced it was dinner time, they happily marched to the kitchen and started dishing it out from the wok. I said nothing throughout, waiting, waiting ... for one of them to notice something, say something, for crying out loud!! Nada ... They were just happy I made fried rice! We conversed throughout the meal and not one of them noticed what was, er, different.

Only after the dishes were piled on the sink did I confess. Looking around at the surprised and slightly disappointed faces, I had to laugh. They looked at me as though I had cheated them out of a great dish. After reassessing the damage, they too had to agree that it wasn't bad at all and they hardly noticed the difference. So yes, I will be making this again and again.

The recipe makes a meal for 6 to 8 people. Cooking for yourself or for 2? Halve it and you will have leftovers, which you will be thankful for.

Ingredients:
2 cauliflower heads
1/2 onion, diced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 inch piece of ginger, minced
6 eggs only because I like fried rice with lots of yellow egg bits :)
900 g of frozen peas, carrots and corn
4 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp sesame oil

Directions:
1. Cut the cauliflower into chucks and process it in a food processor until they're about the size of quinoa.
2. To a large pot over medium heat, add oil, then the cauliflower, stirring frequently to prevent the cauliflower from burning. Remove and place it in a large bowl.
3. To the pot, add a little bit more oil, then sweat the onions, garlic and ginger.
4. Add the carrots and the peas to the pot. When cooked, add this to the large bowl containing the cauliflower.
5. A bit more oil, then crack the eggs, scrambling them until almost cooked.
6. Return the cauliflower and vegetables into the pan and mix well.
7. Add the soy sauce, sesame oil, salt and pepper, and continue to stir.
8. Taste and adjust as needed.

Enjoy, knowing you are having a no carb meal!


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