Cauliflower rice is useful when you want a small-cut vegetable that takes on sauce and seasoning. It still behaves like cauliflower. If you cook it in a covered, crowded pan, expect a soft, wet result rather than separate, browned pieces.
Choose the texture for the dish before you start. A burrito bowl benefits from relatively dry cauliflower. A spoonable vegetable side can hold more moisture.
For separate pieces, use a wide skillet
Cut fresh cauliflower into florets and pulse small batches in a food processor. Stop when the pieces are roughly rice-sized. Long processing can leave you with a paste. A box grater works for a small amount, although the pieces will be less uniform.
Heat a little oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add a shallow layer of cauliflower and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until it is tender enough for you. Start checking after about five minutes. A large batch needs more time, or a second pan.
Do not add broth automatically. Fresh cauliflower releases its own moisture. Let that moisture evaporate before deciding whether the pan needs any liquid.
Frozen cauliflower needs a little more patience
Follow the package's cooking instructions. If the product can be cooked in a skillet from frozen, break apart large clumps and leave the pan uncovered while excess moisture evaporates. Stir enough to prevent sticking, but do not keep adding liquid to loosen it.
If you microwave it first, drain any free liquid before adding a sauce. A thick sauce can become surprisingly thin when mixed with wet cauliflower.
Add flavor after you manage the water
For a taco-style bowl, stir cumin and smoked paprika into the cauliflower near the end, then add lime juice and cilantro off the heat. For a side to fish, try lemon zest, parsley, and black pepper. Taste before adding salt, especially if the meal includes cheese, olives, or a salty sauce.
Serve with the protein food and toppings you planned for the meal. A bowl of cauliflower alone will not replace every part of a dinner that previously included rice.
Compare the portion you serve
Use the label for packaged cauliflower rice, including any added sauce. For fresh cauliflower, use a reliable food database and the amount in your portion. Rice-sized pieces do not have the same nutrition profile as grain rice, and flavored frozen blends can differ from plain cauliflower.
For another vegetable side, try one of these alternatives to a salad.
Photo: Sharon Chen from Austin, United States, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
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