Craving fried rice without the guilt?
Get ready to transform ordinary cauliflower into an incredibly flavorful and healthy dish that will rival your favorite takeout.
This isn't just another recipe; it's a culinary adventure where delicious meets nutritious!
Ingredients
Let's gather what you'll need. I'm using 1.5 tbsp of oil—veggie, canola, or peanut's fine. Three minced garlic cloves, of course, and half an onion, finely chopped.
For some flavor, grab 75g of diced ham or bacon; I'm telling ya, it's the best! Grab 1 1/2 cups of frozen diced peas, carrots, and corn—or any diced fresh veg you like. You could even throw in some cashews for a satisfying crunch like in cashew chicken stir-fry!
Now, for the star, 400g of raw cauliflower rice, four cups approx. And don't forget two lightly whisked eggs, plus two finely sliced green onions!
Time for the sauce! Mix 1 tbsp of Mirin, 1 tbsp of Oyster Sauce, 1.5 tbsp of light soy sauce, and 1 tsp of sesame oil; you can't beat this flavor combination!
Instructions
Now that we've gathered all the ingredients, I'll walk you through the cooking steps! First, heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large skillet over high heat—we want it hot! Add the garlic and onion and cook for 30 seconds. Next, add ham, and cook for just a minute – until it's fragrant – don't burn it!
Then, throw in those frozen veggies, about 1 1/2 cups, and cook for 2 minutes until the carrots are almost cooked. To ensure the best flavor, consider using a mix of vegetables suitable for quick stir-frying. It's time for the cauliflower and sauce! Cook, stirring regularly, for 4 minutes and keep moving it to prevent burning until the sauce is reduced and the cauliflower is nearly cooked—firm, not mushy.
Push everything to one side, add 1/2 tbsp oil, and pour in the whisked eggs. Let them sit for 10 seconds before scrambling them—easy does it! Once almost cooked, mix the egg with the cauliflower. Finally, toss in the green onions! Serve and dig in!
Recipe Notes
I've got some extra tips to take this recipe to the next level!
First, let's talk cauliflower rice. You can use fresh, store-bought, or frozen—just make sure you drain the frozen stuff really well; nobody likes soggy fried rice! If you're making your own, chop it up until it resembles rice, not couscous. Trust me, it makes a difference!
Next, the sauce is the secret weapon. Mirin or Shaoxing wine is what gives it that authentic fried rice flavor. If you don't have any, sherry works too. No alcohol? No problem! Just tweak the oyster and soy sauce, and add some chicken bouillon—voila!
Storage: This tastes best fresh, but leftovers will keep for a day. After that, it might get a little mushy—still good, but not *wow* good!
Nutrition Information
Each serving clocks in at about 144 calories and 13 grams of carbs (only 4% of your daily value!). Plus, you're getting 9 grams of protein, which is pretty good for fried "rice"! If you're watching carbs, ditch the peas, corn, and carrots. Seriously—half the carbs come from them.
We're talking 10 grams of fat; I know, it's a little much. Sodium is at 660mg – about 29% of what you should have each day. There's also a vitamin A and C boost – 83% and 56% of your daily needs. Who knew cauliflower could be so good for you?
Short Recipe Version
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 large head cauliflower, riced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- Optional: sriracha to taste
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add onion and garlic, cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Add mixed vegetables and cauliflower rice. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until cauliflower is tender.
- Push cauliflower mixture to one side of the pan. Pour beaten eggs onto the empty side and scramble.
- Mix eggs with cauliflower mixture.
- Stir in soy sauce and sesame oil. Cook for another 2 minutes.
- Serve hot, with sriracha if desired.
Nutrition (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: 200
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 20g