Easy Cauliflower Coconut Fried Rice – Recipe!

Starting the year off on a healthy note is always a good idea and this Easy Cauliflower Coconut Fried Rice is simple, satisfying, and delicious.

The Whole30 Diet is quite popular and if you happen to be following this type of regime or any other healthful eating plan this month, this recipe falls easily into line.  The trick to making this fried rice dish is to pulverize a whole head of cauliflower into grain like pieces or buy a bag already done for you in the produce section of your grocery store, and cook it hot in a large non-stick skillet.  I added onions and carrots to the recipe for some chunky texture and a dash of fish sauce for flavor.  Fish sauce is fermented anchovies, salt, and water that tastes nutty in nature and gives an intense umami taste without any fishy flavor.  It is very popular in Southeast Asian cuisine and is sometimes used as a dipping sauce.  You can buy fish sauce online at amazon.com or any Asian food stores.

You can eat this rice with a piece of fish or chicken or if you are vegetarian — it’s wonderful all by itself.  It’s so good that I think you will have a hard time deciding if this is better than regular fried rice.

* may contain commissioned links

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower, washed and dried

1 carrot, washed and peeled

1/2 white onion

2 tablespoon coconut oil

1 teaspoon fish sauce

1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

salt

pepper

1 lime

(Serves 2-4)

To Prepare:

1.  Cut cauliflower into florets and place them in a food processor.  If cauliflower is large, only put half in at a time and process it in batches.

2.  Pulverize cauliflower for 45 seconds or until pieces look grainy, similar to rice.  Be careful not to process too long — you don’t want mush.

3.  Dice up onion and carrot and set aside.  In a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, add coconut oil.

4.  Add pulverized or riced cauliflower to skillet and stir to combine with oil.  Spread out cauliflower in pan and cook for 2 minutes to release any moisture.

5.  Add onion and carrot to cauliflower and stir to combine.  Spread out cauliflower again in pan to allow it to begin to slightly brown, about 4 minutes.

6.  Add fish sauce, coconut, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to cauliflower and stir to combine.  The cauliflower will darken slightly because of fish sauce.  Using your spoon, spread mixture out to brown and continue to cook, about 5 more minutes.

7.  Cut lime in half and squeeze juice over rice.  Save other half of lime to serve with the rice.  Spoon rice into bowls and serve with remaining wedges of lime and your favorite protein, if desired.  Enjoy!