Asian Cauliflower “Rice”
An Asian twist on cauliflower rice, which is not actually rice, but is a delicious sub if you are going low-carb. Call it whatever you want, I eat this stuff with a shovel.
Somebody asked for my autograph the other day. I was even wearing a hat and sunglasses and they still found me out. HA! I totally had you.
Really though, I had to practice signing my name on an ENTIRE sheet of paper before The Autographing. I’m still giggling that this even happened, it’s so funny to me. I’m a stay at home mom with a glorified hobby, people.
My friend Joy came up to me in church the other day and told me that her sister (Hi Nancy!) had shared a link to The Food Charlatan on Facebook. When Joy saw it, she said, hey, I go to church with Karen! And guess what. NANCY DIDN’T BELIEVE HER.
Like, what am I, a unicorn? Only real if you shut your eyes tight??
I saw Joy a few days later and we took a selfie together so that she could prove to her sister that I’m a Real Boy. I mean Girl.
But she didn’t stop there. Joy showed up at my house with a printout of one of my recipes in a frame, and said she was giving it to Nancy for Christmas, and I should sign it. I’m waiting for the paparazzi to show up any day now. Hide yo kids, hide yo wife. Probably I’m going to be elected president here pretty soon.
Well, at least I’ll have a legend to leave my grandkids. “One time, someone asked me to sign a piece of paper because they liked my food blog.” And they’ll say, “What’s a food blog, Grannie?” and “What’s paper?” and then I will continue baking cookies.
So! Healthy time! Asian Cauliflower Rice time. Does it taste like rice? Of course not. Don’t be silly. It’s cauliflower. BUT, it does make a great substitute for rice if you are low carbing it this month year (<–I totally have faith in you). I did an Asian version to go with this Asian Pork Tenderloin I made a while back, which I will be posting soon.
I tried to keep this recipe as simple as possible, but there are some things you just can’t replicate with the average pantry, and one of those things is Sweet Chili Sauce. I bet you a whole pan of brownies you can find it in the Asian section of your grocery store. It’s worth keeping around, the stuff is delicious and I’ve been obsessed with it lately.
You could pair this Asian Cauliflower Rice with curry, stir fry, pretty much any kind of meat, etc. I’m particularly fond of the pork-cauliflower combo myself. (And since I’m basically famous, ya’ll better trust me ;) Let me know what you try!
Do you guys give up? Or are you thirsty for more?
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Asian Cauliflower “Rice”
Serves 4-6 adjust servingsIngredients
- 1 large head cauliflower
- 2-3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic (I used the jarred kind)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (less sodium) soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon powdered ginger*
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1-3 tablespoons Sweet Chili Sauce (see photo)
- 1-2 tablespoons lime juice (half a lime)
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, or to taste
Instructions
- Chop the cauliflower into roughly 1-inch pieces (see photos). Don't worry about keeping the florets pretty, you are going to pulverize them anyway.
- Add about 1/3 (or even 1/4) of your cauliflower to your food processor. Don't try to do too much at once; you will get half mush and half chunks. PULSE the cauliflower in 1-second bursts, until it looks about the size of grains of rice. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower.
- In a wide-bottom skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the sesame oil. Saute the garlic for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Add all of the cauliflower rice. It may seem like a lot, but it will cook down.
- Stir in rice vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, salt, and sweet chili sauce. Continue to cook the cauliflower until it is tender, about 8-12 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the lime juice and cilantro.
- Garnish with additional lime and cilantro, if you want.
by The Food Charlatan
Here is the Asian Pork Tenderloin with Ginger Glaze I mentioned. Goes great with this Cauliflower Rice!
More! Healthy! Sides!
Indian-Spiced Cauliflower Rice:
Asian Marinated Cucumber Salad:
Never enough cauliflower rice:
3 Ways to Make Cauliflower Rice from One Good Thing By Jillee
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice by House of Yumm
Cauliflower Spanish “Rice” from Fork and Beans
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Thank you for this inspiration. I didn’t have sweet chili oil so I used some siracha and a little peanut sauce I had. It worked great. I followed your other ingredients and it tasted nice.
Ooh love the peanut sauce, that’s a great idea. Also sriracha is always the right choice. Glad you liked it! Thanks for commenting!
This is like crack. I made it to go with shrimp & cashews. I always make extra for someone to take for lunch the next day. No rice my daughter ate the whole thing. Easy to modify, not a fan of cilantro used parsley.
I feel like it’s a moment in history when any dish made with cauliflower is described as “crack” haha!! I’m so glad you liked it, sounds like it would be good with shrimp and cashews. Thanks for reviewing!
I’m going to make this tonight! It looks and sounds so good! I think I’m going to saute some onion and celery as well to add to it. I’m so excited about all of the flavors. It’s gonna be awesome!!
Ooh onion and celery could only make this better! Thanks Annette!
After i made the recipe, i liked it so much i made a second one and froze it for later. Delicious.
That is awesome Kiki!! I’m so glad you liked it. Thanks for the review!
Made this without the sweet chili sauce and butter and I LOVED IT!!!! Flavor combination is ON POINT. Tucking this away in my “go-to” recipe bin. :)
Hey Emily! No butter, that’s good to know! Did you use oil instead? Thanks so much for coming back to comment, I love that!
I made this for my family and got rave reviews! Especially from almost 3year old granddaughter who ate several servings.
It’s the best when the kids will eat it!! Thanks for the review Rosella! :)
Made this and totally fell in love with it! Not able to take photo as all consumed!! Thanks for a great recipe.
I think most of the best kitchen creations are devoured before posing for photos :) I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for leaving a review, it means a lot to me!
I have a head of cauliflower in my fridge that needs to get used, so I thought I’d throw together an asian version of cauli rice, but just for kicks, I thought I’d look up a recipe. Guess who’s number 1 on the google search? I think that autograph is warranted for sure! ;-) Girl! You’re famous! Are you going to EFC by chance? If so, can I get your autograph? :-)
Blessings,
Chellie
Art From My Table
Haha! This made me laugh out loud Chellie!! I guess I’ve arrived, lol! And no, no conferences for me until I get this baby weaned. I would love to meet you someday! Autographs come free. :)
So I have some frozen cauliflower rice in the freezer. Would this work?
Hi Bridget! It will be a little mushier. But it’s a good hack in a pinch! Enjoy!
I simplified this also by purchasing riced cauliflower at Trader Joe’s.
I have been using the riced cauliflower a lot….recently made for my veggie enchiladas, …it’s so carb friendly!
That makes it even easier! Good idea!
I just found some riced broccoli at Trader Joe’s that I will be trying with this recipe! Got my own homemade low carb sweet chili sauce that I’ll use too. Looks really good!
I haven’t tried the riced broccoli yet! I bet that would be so good Elaine!
Hi there, made the Asian cauliflower rice last night… Cut the salt way back. It was very good!! I was wondering if you had the nutritional content ?
Cheers
Maria
Hi Maria! I’m glad you liked it! I’ve been accused of being a salt addict before. I’m glad you tasted as you went. :) I don’t have the nutritional content. I’m no expert, if I were going to calculate it I would just be looking up an online calculator, which you are welcome to try out! Thanks for the review!
I loooove this recipe! We’ve made it multiple times! Do you think it would be feasible to freeze leftovers?
Hey Shay, glad you are loving it! I think frozen leftovers would work out pretty well, though I’ve never tried it. Seal it well. Let me know how it turns out!
made this today and it was absolutely fantastic. thanks for the recipe!!
I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for the review!
Karen, you are too funny! First this recipe looks amazing! I am definitely going to try it! But second, that is too hilarious about the autograph! LOVE it. I cannot believe I have been to your house…and in your car. I hope that makes me famous by association!
Try out the cauliflower Ashley it’s so good! And next time I see you I’ll sign your boob if you want, I’m generous like that. :)
That’s so awesome, Karen! I’d have to practice my autograph, too.
I haven’t tried this “rice” before, but it intrigues me. Here’s to many more requested autographs ;)
Karen, making this today!! will tag you on a photo!
Yay! I’m so flattered Alice!
Why is it that cutting up cauliflower always looks like you are dissecting a brain? Well, I am definitely going to make this as I am low-carb now….for at least the next couple of weeks, right? But seriously, I do need a rice substitute!
I’m kind of with you on the brain thing. cauliflowers are weird.
Haha. That’s awesome! And the rice looks amazing! Tasty!
This recipe is perfect!! I am starting a low-carb lifestyle today…well, yesterday until I ate all the noodles in my homemade noodle soup. But low-carb works for me, after the first 2 weeks! So, I am heading to the store today for cauliflower and sweet chili sauce! Thanks for the inspiration!
This looks so good!! I’ve made Mexican cauliflower rice befor but I need this in my belly :)
Bahaha that story!! I love the picture of the framed autograph too!! Amazing :)
I’ve been meaning to try cauliflower rice for so long now … this looks so good!
You’re famous!!!! I can totally say I knew you when. And ate your butternut squash soup. And hand pies. ;) I wanted to add a signature to the bottom of my “Thank you for your purchase!” blog emails by scanning in a handwritten one, but… I literally did the same thing. Wrote my name over and over and over again on two full sheets of paper. And even then, I hated all of them! But anyway. This cauliflower rice. May I please have an invitation to come over for dinner the next time you make it?? It looks FAB! Pinned!
1. Love your nail polish.
2. WAIT. WE CAN GET SIGNED RECIPES? WHERE IS THE SHOP? WHERE? ;)
You know what Carla, my autograph is pretty easy to forge, so just print out your favorite recipe of mine, have it framed, and sign away. No one will ever know. People will come into your house and be like NO WAY the Food Charlatan??? :)
Well now I HAVE to try this recipe because it’s the recipe that made me famous by extension of your fame. Joy is too funny. I had no idea you were even local until she said you were in her ward. I was just a fan of your recipes. It really is a small world.
It is a small world Nancy! And look now you’re famous!! :) :) Joy cracks me up.
Karen, you crack me up!! Someone at Target asked me for my autograph and to take a photo with me . . but it was b/c she thought I was Sandra Oh. . nothing to do with the food blog. :) And even after I said I wasn’t her, she still wanted to take a photo with me just because. :P Dude, I LOVE this recipe!! love cauliflower and anything Asian .. totally trying this!!!
Oh my gosh Alice this made me laugh so hard!!! I just looked up Sandra Oh (I’m a celebrity idiot, I can’t remember anyone’s names) and I’m with Target Freak, you totally do look like her. I’d take it, she’s hot. :)
You’re so famous! I love that. You better start watching out for paparazzi! *wink* I love that you added sweet chili sauce to this, one of my favorite asian condiments.
Yess! Another point for sweet chili sauce. Thank Natalie!
Now I really feel special. Because, like, I’ve hugged you. More than once! This “rice” is genius. LOVE.
Probably you are still tingly, right?
1. HOLY MOLY ME OH MY – these photos are gorgeous. I love the slightly moody quality of the shadows and the refined colors of the dish and styling. I even am in love with the shot of you cutting the cauliflower. Seriously – these are awesome. (It’s no wonder you’re famous;)
2. I can’t wait to make this recipe! I’m definitely into using cauliflower in all kinds of creative ways and this one looks simple and delicious.
3. Beautiful thumb.
This looks so incredibly good. And addicting. Seriously need to make this soon!
Karen – I love this idea and printed the recipe off.
We just had Chicken Cauliflower Fried Rice for dinner the other day!!! Thanks for the link love!
That sweet chili sauce is one of my favorites. My husband is half Korean so we eat a ton of rice. I love the idea of replacing it with this cauliflower. It sounds wonderful!
Ohy my GOSH Karen! This post is laugh-out-loud funny! I was just LAUGHING-OUT-LOUD! At home. By myself. I can’t wait to share this post with Joy at work this morning. Sometimes, I don’t even really care about what food you blog I just read your blog so I can laugh and be happy. The delicious food pictures and recipes are a bonus part of this blog – in my humble opinion.
Haha! This day was surely coming! This looks delicious. Just what I need to keep my veggie-loving husband happy. Also I’m glad you’re a celebrity so I can now be more awesome just by knowing you. I’m going to start name-dropping.