Fork and Beans

Making food fun for the family

Cauliflower Spanish Rice

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I try my best in life to maintain a balanced mentality towards food by avoiding using descriptive words like “off-limits”, “guilty”, or even allowing myself to feel shame after eating. (Note that I said try: I am not perfect). Not that I was always this way. I used to be a slave to food. I would pair eating with negativity and guilt (you can read my story here) but what helped me through a good portion of healing was a constant examination of my self. And by that I mean I learned to quiet the loud judging voice that criticized and labeled the foods I ate as bad vs. good.

RELATED: Crispy Orange Cauliflower 

A new twist on a classic rice dish--try using cauliflower instead for a grain-free Cauliflower Spanish Rice dish. 2

I, by no means, intentionally try to promote health over here at Fork & Beans to the extent that I refuse to include fried foods or baked goods that are dipped, drenched, and dunked in (non-dairy) butter in my recipe box.. My goal simply is to make those who have food allergies feel “normal” again. If that means creating a recipe that has tons of oil, loads of sugar, and a hellalotta fat just to get a delicious flavor then dammit, I will go that extra mile for you.

RELATED: Cauliflower Parmesan

A new twist on a classic rice dish--try using cauliflower instead for a grain-free Cauliflower Spanish Rice dish.

Then there are recipes like this one that is chock-full of veggies and incredibly good for you. See what I’m doing here? Balance. I don’t know about you but I’m always looking for a little more balance in my life. And cauliflower Spanish rice is serving up balance right there on your plate. 

A new twist on a classic rice dish–try using cauliflower instead for a grain-free Cauliflower Spanish Rice dish. 

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Cauliflower Spanish “Rice”

★★★★★ 4.7 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Fork & Beans
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Yield: Serves 4 1x
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 head of cauliflower, pulsed in a food processor until rice-like
  • 1 large tomato, diced (do not drain the juice)
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 jalapeno, deseeded and minced (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • dash of cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 c. cilantro, chopped

Instructions

  1. In a skillet over medium heat, saute onions, garlic, and jalapeno with 1-2 tsp. olive oil for 2 minutes or until fragrant.
  2. Add cauliflower until slightly browned. Add tomatoes and spices. Cook for 5-7 minutes. Fold in cilantro. Season with sea salt according to preference if needed.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Serving
  • Calories: 35 calories
  • Sugar: 2.5g
  • Sodium: 280mg
  • Fat: 1.4g
  • Carbohydrates: 5.7g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 1.5g

 

RELATED: Cauliflower Risotto

A new twist on a classic rice dish--try using cauliflower instead for a grain-free Cauliflower Spanish Rice dish.

 

 

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sorry but i dont understand why you say this is inspired in spanish rice, probably you meant mexican, because we dont use this flavours in spain, at least in or traditional meals… anyway it looks yummy, congratulations (sorry for my english, i know its not very good)

    • Hi Irene! We have something here in America called “Spanish Rice”–not sure where it originated but I promise it’s a thing here 😉

  2. This is so delicious, healthy and easy. I used some salsa instead of the diced tomato and it was so so good. Thank you for the fantastic recipe!

    ★★★★★

  3. Hi just wanted to ask can this be frozen im a busy mum looking for foods I can prepare and freeze so there ready for me lol thanks 🙂

    ★★★★★

  5. Hi! Did you use rotel? Wonder what should I use because rotel (with chili) is smaller than a regular diced tomatoes in can. Which one do i gotta use? Thanks!

    • I don’t keep nutritional info on my recipes but I am sure you can find something on the internet that can round up the info!

  8. This was much easier than I thought it would be, and DELICOUS!! Thanks for the amazing recipe—it’s definitely a keeper! 🙂

  10. This was awesome! So not surprised, though. Every recipe that i have tried of yours is amazing.

    • What a super sweet compliment! Thank you so much for saying that and I am sooooo happy that you like the recipes you find here 🙂

  11. Just tried this today, but with a can of “pureed” tomatoes, and parsley instead of cilantro and it turned out AMAZING! I also added a bit of Goya Adobo powder for extra flavor. I used a cheese grater for the cauliflower since I don’t have a food processor, and though it was a bit time consuming it was definitely worth it.

  15. What an amazing twist on Spanish “rice” – balance is absolutely a must, this would definitely even things out after a few days of sweets 🙂

  16. you should get a huge discount from a whole sale cauliflower vendor!:)) brilliant idea for spanish rice! i like your philisophy too.. eat balanced out meals so you can indulge in a few 🙂

  17. What a great idea! I love spanish rice, but if I can enjoy it while getting an extra dose of veggies, even better! Thanks for sharing!

  19. This sounds wonderful! My father-in-law has given up rice, wheat and sugar, so this would be great for us to make!

    By the way, the thought of flagrant cracked me up! I love happy accidents, make them myself all the time! 😉

    • I’m giggling right now. Changing to FRAGRANT. This is what happens when you write the recipe in a brain fog of allergies. ha! Thank you for pointing that out 🙂 xo!

  21. You are amazing! Hear me? I’ve been fighting the good food / bad food battle lately. Bad Somer! Lovin’ this “rice”!

  22. This looks delicious! I attempted a cauliflower pizza crust last week – it needs a little tweaking but a good alternative to the norm! It’s amazing what you can do with this veggie – I saw a lemon pudding made with it a few weeks ago on Healthful Pursuit. I wonder if chocolate pudding would work? Oh the creative possibilities!!!!

  23. Cara, great minds think alike. I made a cauliflower fried rice for dinner last night! So good! Now I need too try your version with all my leftover cauliflower! That looks amazing!

    P.S. I love your food philosophy!

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