My household is full of rice lovers, each for their our own reasons. I spent some time living in Nepal when I was a teenager, so that’s where I cultivated my love for rice. When I met my husband, Cheerios, salad, and rice topped with Old Bay (gross) were pretty much all he ate (I think I saved him from his life of vitamin deficiencies). Finally, my son eats rice without a whimper or a complaint, which makes it worth making over and over again.

That said, plain white rice is lacking nutritionally and is high in carbohydrates. Because of this, over the last few years I’ve phased the white rice out of my kitchen and replaced it with brown and wild rices, which pack fiber, B vitamins, and minerals. More recently my family has gotten on a cauliflower rice kick. We first tried it because regular rice is calorie dense and my husband and I are trying to lose weight. In the end we decided we like the cauliflower rice just as much as all of our other rices.

Aside from being a great food choice for weight loss, cauliflower rice boasts some nutritional benefits. First, cauliflower is high in potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. It also contains a good amount of magnesium, iron, and calcium. Additionally, it’s a part of the cruciferous family of vegetables. As such, it contains sulforaphane, which has been shown to inhibit cancer growth and glucosinolates, which are detoxifying. Finally, it has a plethora of antioxidants and phytonutrients, which are protective against cancer, heart disease, and aging. This recipe also contains turmeric, which is know for it anti-inflammatory effects. Basically, this recipe is good for you!

All of that said, the important thing is whether cauliflower rice tastes good, and I can emphatically say that it does. It’s really easy to make and it’s versatile like regular rice. For example, today’s recipe for Sweet Coconut Cauliflower Rice blends coconut oil, turmeric, and paprika, creating a natural, sweet flavor without using added sugar. This version pairs perfectly with Indian and Middle Eastern dishes, as well as with other spicy foods. So whether you’re trying to incorporate more vegetable into your diet, less calories, or are looking to try something new, I hope you enjoy!

Sweet Coconut Cauliflower Rice

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes           Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 head of cauliflower, about 5 cups riced
• 1 C yellow onion
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil
• 1 Tbsp fresh minced garlic
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Directions

1. Using a box grater, grate the florets off of 1 head of cauliflower. Dice 1 cup worth of yellow onion.

2. Combine the cauliflower, onion, coconut oil and seasoning in a pan and sauté over medium heat for 10 minutes until the cauliflower is soft and tender and then you’re ready to serve!

Sweet Coconut Cauliflower Rice

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Sweet Coconut Cauliflower Rice has a natural sweet flavor from coconut oil, turmeric, and paprika without added sugar. It's a great recipe for weight loss!

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Ingredients

• 1 head of cauliflower, about 5 cups riced
• 1 C yellow onion
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil
• 1 Tbsp fresh minced garlic
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Using a box grater, grate the florets off of 1 head of cauliflower. Dice 1 cup worth of yellow onion.
2. Combine the cauliflower, onion, coconut oil and seasoning in a pan and sauté over medium heat for 10 minutes until the cauliflower is soft and tender and then you're ready to serve!