All the flavors from traditional Mexican Rice without all the carbs! This version uses cauliflower in place of rice, which makes it the perfect light and healthy side dish.
If you’ve been with me for a while you probably know I have a sweet little cat named Basil. She’s 11 years old now and aside from sleeping a lot, she really shows no signs of aging. Basil truly is a kitten at heart. I’ve had her since she was 4 weeks old so she’s like my baby. I’m not kidding when I say that – she is SO attached to me and actually walks around meowing when I’m not home.
Kyle on the other hand, she is not so fond of. We like to joke and say that if she could kill him she probably would ?
Basil likes to keep him up at night – either by jumping on him or knocking stuff over until he gets up and brings her to bed. Once she’s in bed she lays on me purring away and happy. Until she decides to wake him up again. I rarely wake up during all of this commotion (I’m a heavy sleeper).
Last night around 3:30 am Kyle heard a loud thud and went into the living room to see what she knocked over. It was a candle that I recently bought and shattered to pieces. I woke up after the fact and came to see what was happening – glass everywhere and Basil sitting there with a guilty face. There were also decorative pumpkins scattered all over the floor.
We couldn’t leave glass all over the carpet so there we are picking up pumpkins and running the vacuum at 3:30 am. After that, I couldn’t sleep. Once I’m up it’s really hard for me to fall back to sleep ?
By the way, when Kyle was on a work trip a few weeks back, Basil slept through the night. So it looks like she really does have it out for him!
Ok, let’s talk cauliflower “rice”. It’s nothing like regular rice, obviously. However, if you’re looking to cut carbs, eat Paleo, or are doing Whole30 this is a great option. I took all of the flavors in my Mexican Rice and used grated cauliflower in place of the rice.
Kyle, who hates cauliflower, actually said if he had to eat cauliflower this is how he would want it! We had it with the chipotle pulled pork lettuce wraps and it was a delicious and filling meal. With the leftovers I topped the cauliflower “rice” with some of the pulled pork and drizzled it with avocado aioli for a healthy burrito bowl. That was delicious too!
I’m not going to lie to you and tell you this doesn’t taste like cauliflower – it does. It is cauliflower after all. However, with all of the flavors going on here it’s a really fun and tasty way to enjoy cauliflower. Which, is one of my favorite vegetables, so I’d eat it no matter what. ?
- 1 Head Small/Medium Cauliflower, I used orange cauliflower, but white works just as well!
- 1 Tablespoon Extra-Light Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Ghee*
- 1 Small Onion, finely chopped
- 2 Cloves Garlic, finely minced
- 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste (make sure there’s no added sugar)
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
- ½ Cup Chicken Broth, or vegetable broth
- Fresh Cilantro Leaves, for garnish
- Grate the cauliflower using a box grater or the grating attachment on a food processor. Set aside.
- Heat the oil and ghee in a large skillet over high heat and add in the onion and garlic; sauté for 2 minutes or until softened and fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and season the mixture with salt and pepper.
- Add in the cauliflower and the chicken broth and mix well. Cover and cook for 3 minutes.
- Remove the cauliflower rice from the heat and garnish with cilantro. Serve alongside any of your favorite Mexican dishes!
- *You can use all olive oil if you can't find ghee or want this to be vegan.
I’ve always wanted to make cauliflower rice before, but I just haven’t gotten around to it! I’m so glad I see this recipe, Keri! This mexican version sounds so flavorful, that I think even my husband would eat it! 🙂 Love it!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Apple Pie Yogurt Parfait
Oh you have to try it! Thanks Gayle!
OMG, Basil sounds freakin’ adorable! I love that she has it out for Kyle, that is so funny! Anyways, I looove cauliflower rice, I always have some in the fridge and often I mexican-ize it! #Greatminds I can’t wait to try yours because sometimes a girl just needs a revamp! Cheers, Keri! <3
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Honey & Brown Butter Parker House Rolls
Oh she is and I love that she’s out for him too! It always makes me laugh! I have a brand new head of cauliflower in the fridge just waiting to be “riced” – not sure if I should mexican-ize it or try something new 😉 Thanks Cheyanne!
This mexican “rice” sounds amazing! Love that this is a low carb dish!
Kelley @ Chef Savvy recently posted…Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
Thanks Kelley!
I’ve heard of cauliflower rice, but haven’t tried it. This Mexican version sounds awesome. Love the kitty story! I have 4 big dogs that are into the same kind of shenanigans! Love the new pic too!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks recently posted…Green Bean Mushroom Almondine
Thanks Rachelle! I want a dog so bad, but my cat is such a handful that I don’t know if I can handle another animal running around! 4 dogs sounds wonderful and crazy at the same time! 😉 And thanks for noticing the new pic 🙂
I love this new way to make cauliflower! It is so fun and a great side dish!
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Thanks Shelby!
Wondering if I can use pre-riced frozen cauliflower?
I don’t see why that would work, Darlene. My only concern would be excess water, but it’s certainly worth a shot!
Do you mean you don’t see why that WOULDN’T work?
Did you try using the frozen kind? How did it work?
I tried it with frozen, I just let it sit in a colander to thaw and squeezed out as much liquid as I could. It was delicious!
Great! Thanks for letting us know, Donna 🙂
I loved the inspiration of this dish! I added cumin, garlic powder and chili powder and went a bit heavier on the salt. Would definitely make this again. Hubby loved it!!
Oh and I used coconut oil instead of olive oil.
I was wondering about coconut oil. I am definitely going to try this!
Is there nutrition information available for this recipe?
Sounds good, l’ll will make it. Do you know the nutritional serving?
Thank you!
Cynthia
I imported the recipe into My Fitness Pal. The nutrient macros I came up with are 7g fat, 11g carb, 4g fiber and 4g protein. This was as directed by the recipe with the following exceptions: 3 ounces of chopped onion, a medium (10.5 ounce) head of cauliflower and regular extra virgin olive oil, not extra light.
What was the serving size?
It was for 4 servings.
NOTE FOR VEGETARIANS: Use “No chicken Broth” by Imagine foods, instead of chicken broth. It tastes just like chicken broth, but it’s strictly made with veggies only. 🙂
YUM! I found orange cauliflower on sale, which made this extra pretty. Per the other people’s comments, I added cumin, paprika and chili powder. I also added 1 extra Tbsp of tomato paste, 1/4 extra cup of chicken broth, and used butter instead of ghee. I also steamed it longer at the end because I didn’t want it to be crunchy.
I found frozen riced cauliflower.. going to try to make this with that… just going to squeeze out the excess water first… I’m wondering how this would be with some chili and cumin added…. hhhmmm
CAn you do god in a slow cooker? Or should that be overdone?
I meant or WOULD that be overdone?
OMG
Can this be done in a slow cooker? That’s my question. Apparently I can’t type!
Hi Danielle, I don’t think a slow cooker would work well. It cooks pretty fast on the stove so I think it would get over cooked in the slow cooker. Hope this helps!
I’ll have to say that you are doing a very great job in writing good articles like this. I’ve bookmarked you and will gladly follow your upcoming blog. X`Always a pleasure reading your blog.
Thank you for sharing delicious recipes. Cauliflower is low in calories (25 calories in 1 cup) so you can easily use it without the fear of gaining weight. Cauliflower is an excellent source of minerals and vitamins.
Love Mexican food, I started with taco .. it is so yummy
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I Will try the “Mexican Cauliflower “Rice” for dinner!
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Hi, Thank you for sharing delicious recipes. Cauliflower is low in calories (25 calories in 1 cup) so you can easily use it without the fear of gaining weight. Great articles, I’ve bookmarked you and will gladly follow your upcoming blog. Always a pleasure reading your blog.