Fried "Cauliflower" Rice

When I first heard that you could substitute rice with grated cauliflower in a plate of fried rice, I was instantly piqued. 

You mean I could have my favourite fried rice and yet not the carbs that come with it?!  Now that's what I called having my cake and eat it too :)

One of the ladies in my bible fellowship group told me about this technique.  Then she said something even better - most people won't be able to tell that it's cauliflower.  Wow.  You mean I could fool my carbs-loving hubby with this?  Cool bananas!

And thus begins our love affair with Fried "Cauliflower" Rice.  I have cooked this multiple times and my carbs-loving hubby and son are none the wiser that it's not rice - HEEHEE.  Well, to be fair, I didn't use 100% cauliflower.  I use 70/30 - 70% cauliflower, 30% rice.  Still much better than 100% carbs rite.

There is no recipe to this - you can stick to your usual favourite ingredients, just sub the rice with grated cauliflower according to the ratio you prefer.  The technique is to grate the cauliflower and then drain thoroughly, else it will be soggy. 


Fried "Cauliflower" Rice
Serves 4

• 1 Cup cold overnight cooked rice
• 2 Cups grated cauliflower
• 2 beaten eggs
• 1 Cup broccoli florets, microwaved on 70% for 2 minutes until just cooked
• 1 Cup large shrimps, deveined, cut into small bite size chunks
• 2 tbpsn preserved salted olives
• 1 tsp chopped garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste

I use my mom's 20year old mandolin grater

Get a nice, blemish free head of cauliflower

Roughly grate it into rice size bits

All ready for the wok

1.  Heat some oil and fry the garlic until golden brown.  Toss in the shrimp and pan fry until just cooked.  Set aside.

2.  Add a drizzle of oil and pour in the beaten eggs.  Cook them scramble-egg style and set aside.

3.  Drizzle some oil and pour in the grated cauliflower.  Toss on high heat until almost cooked.  Add in the rice and mix evenly.  Make a well in the centre and add in the preserved olives and stir until it starts to sizzle.  Mix well with the rice and cauliflower.

4.  Add in the eggs, broccoli and shrimp and mix well.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Serve immediately.

Can you tell the rice from the cauliflower? I guess not.

As good as any "real" fried rice :)