This cauliflower rice pilaf | turmeric cauliflower rice is so easy to prepare and taste amazingly delicious! Enjoy it with some refreshing and cooling raita on the side!
Are you looking for some low carb vegetarian recipes and meatless meals?
Are you looking for healthy cauliflower rice recipes or meals with cauliflower rice,? Then you should definitely try this easy turmeric cauliflower rice pilaf with vegetables. Serve it as a side with some protein of your choice for a wholesome meal!
If you are watching your carbs and yet crave for some rice, this cauli rice recipe is great to curb those cravings! With a texture that’s similar to rice, It may satisfy you to some extent.
Meals with cauliflower have been making rounds on the web for quite some time now from a pizza base to mashed cauliflower to flavoured cauliflower rice recipes and much more!
I’m pretty late venturing into this cauliflower rice business, but nevertheless, I’m glad I did! And it’s a good thing for me, now that I’m trying to ‘reduce’ carbs in my diet. No, I cannot eliminate it completely, but I can definitely try to eat sensibly!
Since this is the first cauliflower rice recipe on my blog, I’d like to talk more about it even though I’ve used pre-packaged frozen cauliflower rice in this recipe. If you are interested you may read further or else simply skip to the recipe.
Table of Contents
WHAT IS CAULIFLOWER RICE?
It is basically riced cauliflower. It is light, tender and has a bite to it, just like rice. Riced cauliflower looks similar to short grained rice.
WHERE CAN I BUY CAULIFLOWER RICE?
Cauliflower rice is easily available in stores in the produce aisle or in the frozen section. Or make it easily at home.
HOW TO MAKE CAULIFLOWER RICE?
Remove the outer leaves of the cauliflower, cut it into smaller florets. Rinse the cauliflower florets in a colander to get rid of any dirt or debris. Let it drain completely. Pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor until its texture resembles that of rice. Do not overdo it, or else it will turn mushy. Do it in batches depending upon the capacity of your food processor.
HOW TO MAKE CAULIFLOWER RICE WITHOUT A FOOD PROCESSOR?
If you do not have a food processor, use a box grater. Cut the cauliflower in half and grate as such or cut it into small florets, grate using the medium-sized hole of the grater.
The other simple method is using the plain good ‘ol knife. Simply mince the florets using a sharp knife. Although it won’t be as even sized and as quick as using a processor!
HOW DO YOU COOK CAULIFLOWER RICE AND HOW LONG TO COOK CAULIFLOWER RICE?
Here are two ways I like to cook cauliflower rice.
You can roast the cauliflower rice, by coating the rice with little oil, salt, and seasonings of your choice. Spread it on a baking sheet, bake at 400 degrees F for about 25 minutes or until it turns golden brown, stirring it 2-3 times during cooking.
Or you can saute it in a skillet with butter, oil, seasonings of your choice. Cover with a lid to steam the cauliflower rice, about 5-7 minute or until tender. Cook for another 1-2 minutes without the lid to dry off any moisture, especially if you are using frozen cauliflower rice. Avoid overcooking cauliflower rice. It can easily become mush in no time!
CAN YOU FREEZE CAULIFLOWER RICE?
Yes, you can freeze cauliflower rice.
HOW TO FREEZE CAULIFLOWER RICE?
After ricing your cauliflower, transfer to a resealable plastic bag as per servings required, remove as much air as possible. Write the quantity and date, store it flat in the freezer. It will last up to 6 months.
HOW TO COOK FROZEN CAULIFLOWER RICE?
Cook it the same way you would with fresh cauliflower rice, you may need an extra minute or two. There is no need to thaw the rice, you can use it directly.
WHAT TO MAKE WITH RICED CAULIFLOWER?
Make the ever popular faux fried rice using cauliflower rice, or make mashed cauliflower, as a stuffing for peppers, wraps, croquettes, salads, add different seasoning for a twist like Mexican, Mediterranean. Or make this Indian style cauliflower rice pilaf seasoned with spices like garam masala and cumin, and is easy to prepare.
This turmeric cauliflower rice pilaf | cauliflower pilau rice is one of the simplest meals ever.I’ve given it an Indian touch with whole spices and flavored it with some Garam Masala as well.
This is my standard way of preparing a spiced pilaf, so I just swapped the basmati rice with some frozen cauliflower rice.
The cauliflower rice pilaf turned out delicious, we enjoyed it with some onion tomato raita.
Cauliflower, being a cruciferous vegetable has a very distinct taste with bitter undertones. The squeeze of lemon juice, in the end, makes some difference and helps eliminate some of that bitterness in this pilaf.
So If you don’t like cauliflower in the first place, you may not like cauliflower rice. Or you could give it a shot with this recipe You may just start liking it.
Having said that, I obviously won’t be swapping my beloved real rice with cauliflower rice all the time. It is a good change from rice every now and then.
If you still can’t get yourself to thinking of this as ‘rice’, simply scoop some of this in a piece of chapati, roti or tortilla and enjoy! Equally delicious 😀 Just like we call it in India-roti sabzi (sauteed or stir-fried veggies served with chapati), a very common everyday meal along with dal and rice.
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE TURMERIC CAULIFLOWER RICE PILAF
1.Heat oil in a heavy bottomed skillet, add whole spices, sauté over medium-low heat until fragrant. You may skip the whole spices.
2.Add cumin seeds, once it crackles, add chopped onions sauté until translucent.
3.Next, add ginger garlic paste, sauté until aromatic.
4.Add the chopped carrots, cook for 1 minute over medium heat, then add bell peppers, cook for another 30 minutes, add snap peas, cook for another 30 seconds.
5.Add turmeric powder and salt. Mix well.
6.Add riced cauliflower, sauté for a minute very gently. Cover and steam for 5 minutes until the cauliflower rice is tender. Do not overcook it, or else it will turn mushy. If it is still uncooked and dry, splash some water to avoid it from sticking at the bottom of the pan.
7.Sprinkle garam masala, lemon juice, give a quick mix. Garnish with cilantro/parsley leaves. Serve hot with a raita for your choice. Enjoy!
HOW TO MAKE TURMERIC CAULIFLOWER RICE PILAF?
Cauliflower Rice Pilaf | Turmeric Cauliflower Rice
Ingredients
- 12 oz / 340 grams frozen riced cauliflower
- Whole spices (1 Bay leaf, 4 peppercorns, 2 cardamoms, 1/2 inch cinnamon stick), optional
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
- 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
- 1/3 cup finely diced carrots
- 1/3 cup finely chopped bell peppers
- About 8-10 snap peas, cut diagonally
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/4 tsp garam masala
- 2-3 tbsp chopped cilantro/parsley leaves
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil in a heavy bottomed skillet, add whole spices, sauté over medium-low heat until fragrant. You may skip the whole spices.
- Add cumin seeds, once it crackles, add chopped onions sauté until translucent.
- Next, add ginger garlic paste, sauté until aromatic.
- Add the chopped carrots, cook for 1 minute over medium heat, then add bell peppers, cook for another 30 minutes, add snap peas, cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add turmeric powder and salt. Mix well.
- Add riced cauliflower, sauté for a minute very gently. Cover and steam for 5 minutes until the cauliflower rice is tender. Do not overcook it, or else it will turn mushy. If it is still uncooked and dry, splash some water to avoid it from sticking at the bottom of the pan.
- Sprinkle garam masala, lemon juice, give a quick mix. Garnish with cilantro/parsley leaves. Serve hot with a raita for your choice. Enjoy!
I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to share your feedback with photos and suggestions to me at [email protected]
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Regards,
Freda
Nisha Ramesh says
These are my recent love. 🙂 Just started experimenting with this and I am bookmarking this recipe. Lovely captures and they look stunning.
code2cook says
cauliflower rice pilaf looking delicious and mouthwatering. Great low cal recipe.
Lathiya says
The Pilaf looks scrumptious..Cauliflower rice is something new to me..But sounds lipsmacking
Jagruti says
Cauliflower rice recipes are in demand now, even we have started experimenting as well. Cauliflower pulao is a fantastic idea for a healthy and delicious meal.
themadscientistskitchen says
Thanks, Freda for the yummylicious explanation. Cauliflower is hubby favourite and we buy it every time we shop, the only time I refuse to buy it is rains.So once the time is right you can be sure I will be making Cauliflower rice following your instructions.
Sandhya says
I am crazy about cauliflower rice Freda! I have it frozen in packs in my refrigerator. Great share!
poonampagar says
Cauliflower rice is new to me and the recipe sounds so interesting..the pulao sounds filling and flavorful too !
Annapurnaz says
Well explained write up. Cauliflower rice with all the veggies looks great
Priya Suresh says
Excellent pilaf for dieting peoples, looks very catchy and quite filling. Incredible pilaf there.
Malini says
It’s an interesting recipe. I loved the way you described and step by step picture illustration as well. Amazing capture and nice presentation 🙂
Meghna Chakraorty. says
Loved the idea of this low carb meal, seems so easy and tasty. Thanks for the share 🙂
Shobha Keshwani says
Pulaos are my favourite.. perfect one pot meals. We can just relish with papads.
ksbeth says
This sounds amazing
Freda Dias says
Thanks a lot:)