CURRIED CAULIFLOWER (NO CARB) RICE

Lots of people out there are always looking for ways to be more healthy with their diets and one of the latest crazes that I've seen on TV and in books and magazines a lot recently is cauliflower rice! By blitzing up a whole cauliflower into itty bitty pieces you can create the illusion of rice grains but without all those pesky carbs. It doesn't have to be bland and uninspiring though. All you need some coconut oil, curry powder and fresh coriander leaves and you can lift this simple side dish right up to the next level!

 I love the balance of sweetness and spicy warmth of my curried cauliflower rice. It works especially well with both Thai and Indian curries. I don't think it would work with chili con carne or creamy dishes like stroganoff. In these instances, I wouldn't fry the cauliflower in coconut oil and use a rapeseed or sunflower oil instead and try flavoring the cauliflower with a more complimentary seasoning than curry powder. Jerk seasoning if it's for a chili for example or some mixed green herbs for a creamy mushroom dish. 

It's a very simple recipe to play around with and adjust depending on what your serving it with so go mad and experiment! My favorite version below will serve two hungry people are act as a small side for four;

Curried Cauliflower Rice

1 Whole Cauliflower (Florets and Stalk)

2 Tbsp Coconut Oil

1 Tbsp Mild Curry Powder

Salt and Pepper To Season

Small Handfull Of Chopped Fresh Coriander Leaves

1. Cut up the cauliflower into chunks and place them into a food processor and blitz until they resemble rice grains.
2. Heat the coconut oil in a pan on a medium heat until hot and then add in the blitzed cauliflower and curry powder and fry, stirring constantly until the cauliflower has softened and is coated in the oil and curry powder. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Tip the cauliflower out of the pan onto some kitchen roll and dab lightly to remove any excess oil. Serve garnished with the coriander leaves.

To be honest, when I first went to make this alternative to rice I wasn't expecting to be wowed by it but I was actually pleasantly surprised. The texture of the cauliflower is slightly firmer than rice but that actually works really well when serving it with a curry sauce. The cauliflower really takes on the flavors of the coconut oil and curry powder making it more tastier than plain old rice, its surprisingly filling and a lot easier to master than getting perfectly cooked rice correct. If your trying to lose a few pounds before a holiday or special occasion, cauliflower rice is the way forward!