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!
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
- Roasted Curry Cauliflower
- 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
Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram
Asian Cauliflower “Rice”
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
- 2-3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced, I used the jarred kind
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce, low sodium
- 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 cilantro, chopped, 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.
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!