Savory Cauliflower Spanish Rice Delight
Transforming your dinner experience one grain at a time! This Savory Cauliflower Spanish Rice Delight is a wonderfully versatile dish crafted to make even the pickiest eaters fall in love with cauliflower. Inspired by classic Spanish flavors, it's a low-carb gem that's perfect for anyone on a diabetic diet. With a symphony of vegetables and spices, this stovetop masterpiece can easily pair with grilled meats or stand alone as a hearty casserole. Best of all, it keeps well in the fridge—enjoy it cold, or reimagine leftovers as delicious fritters! Dive into culinary creativity by experimenting with different spices or add-ins like garbanzo beans or smoked paprika for an extra kick. Each serving is packed with flavor and nutrition, making it a great choice for a family gathering or weeknight meal.
N/A
Servings
77.5
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cauliflower
1 head (Riced)
Garlic cloves
3 (Minced)
Onion
1 (Chopped)
Green pepper
1 (Chopped)
Red pepper
1 (Chopped)
Celery stalks
2-4 (Chopped)
Zucchini
2-3 small (Chopped)
Oil
2 tablespoons (For sautéing)
Broth or stock
1/2 cup (Vegetable or chicken broth)
Tomato paste
1 (6-ounce) can (No preparation needed)
Ground cumin
2-3 teaspoons (To taste)
Dried oregano
2 teaspoons (To taste)
Red pepper flakes
1/2-1 teaspoon (To taste)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (To taste)
Lemon pepper
1 teaspoon (To taste)
Instructions
1
Begin by cleaning and removing the leaves and stem from the head of cauliflower. Using a grater or food processor, pulse until the cauliflower resembles rice grains. Be sure not to over-process; we want a fluffy texture.
2
Next, finely chop the garlic, onion, green pepper, red pepper, celery, and zucchini. You can also use a food processor for this step for convenience.
3
In a large sauté pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped vegetables (garlic, onion, peppers, celery, and zucchini) and sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are tender and fragrant.
4
Pour in the broth or stock, and reduce the heat to low. Stir the mixture frequently to combine and allow the broth to infuse into the veggies.
5
Once the cauliflower is added, continue to periodically stir the mixture until the cauliflower softens, checking for a rice-like texture.
6
Stir in the tomato paste along with the ground cumin, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and lemon pepper. Cook over low heat, mixing well until everything is combined and heated through, about 5-10 minutes.
7
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. If the mixture appears dry, add a little more broth or stock to maintain the rice texture.
8
Enjoy immediately or allow to cool before storing in the refrigerator. This dish can also be frozen for later use.
9
Consider adding cooked chicken, sausage, or cheese to create a complete one-dish meal.
Nutrition Information
4g
Fat
6.25g
Carbs
2.25g
Protein
1.875g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Cauliflower Spanish Rice Delight?
It is a low-carb, diabetic-friendly alternative to traditional Spanish rice, made using riced cauliflower, a variety of vegetables, and classic Spanish spices.
Is this recipe suitable for a diabetic diet?
Yes, this dish is specifically crafted to be low-carb and nutritious, making it a great choice for those on a diabetic diet.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving of this cauliflower rice contains approximately 77.5 calories.
How do I prepare the cauliflower for this recipe?
Clean the cauliflower, remove the leaves and stem, and then use a grater or food processor to pulse it until it resembles rice grains.
Can I use a food processor for the vegetables?
Yes, you can use a food processor to finely chop the garlic, onion, peppers, celery, and zucchini for extra convenience.
How long should I sauté the chopped vegetables?
The vegetables should be sautéed in oil over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until they are tender and fragrant.
What type of broth can I use?
You can use either vegetable broth or chicken broth depending on your dietary preference.
What spices are included in this dish?
The recipe uses ground cumin, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and lemon pepper.
How much tomato paste is needed?
You will need one 6-ounce can of tomato paste.
How do I know when the cauliflower rice is done?
Cook over low heat and stir periodically until the cauliflower softens and achieves a rice-like texture.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, based on the ingredients listed, this Savory Cauliflower Spanish Rice Delight is naturally gluten-free.
Can I add meat to make it a full meal?
Absolutely! You can stir in cooked chicken or sausage to create a complete one-dish meal.
Can I add cheese to this recipe?
Yes, adding cheese is a recommended variation for making this a more indulgent one-dish meal.
What should I do if the rice looks too dry?
If the mixture appears dry, simply add a little more broth or stock to maintain the desired rice texture.
Can I store this in the refrigerator?
Yes, this dish keeps well in the fridge and can be enjoyed cold or reheated.
Is this dish freezer-friendly?
Yes, you can freeze this cauliflower rice for later use.
What can I do with the leftovers?
Aside from reheating, you can reimagine leftovers as delicious cauliflower fritters.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are approximately 6.25 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much fiber is in this recipe?
Each serving contains about 1.875 grams of fiber.
What is the fat content?
The fat content is 4 grams per serving.
How much protein does it provide?
Each serving contains approximately 2.25 grams of protein.
Is the recipe vegetarian?
It is vegetarian if you use vegetable broth and do not add meat.
Can I add beans to the dish?
Yes, adding garbanzo beans is a suggested way to experiment with the recipe.
How do I prevent the cauliflower from getting mushy?
Be careful not to over-process the cauliflower in the food processor and cook it only until it softens to a rice-like texture.
Can I use smoked paprika?
Yes, adding smoked paprika is a great way to give the dish an extra kick and depth of flavor.
What vegetables are included in the base?
The base includes onion, green pepper, red pepper, celery, and zucchini.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe calls for 3 minced garlic cloves.
Is this a stovetop recipe?
Yes, this is a stovetop masterpiece that is prepared in a large sauté pan.
What can I pair this with?
It pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or can stand alone as a hearty casserole.
How long does the final simmering take?
Once the spices and tomato paste are added, cook for about 5-10 minutes until heated through.