Rice has never been appealing to me.
It’s always been sort of boring to me. Like a waste of plate space. I’d rather have more veggies or a big piece of crusty bread. I even order my burrito bowl from Willy’s without rice.
When I started seeing cauliflower rice recipes floating around Pinterest, I had to check it out for myself. Finally, was way to re-create rice-based meals without having to waste space on actual rice. Other benefits: it doesn’t take an hour to cook, it’s loaded with fiber, and one cup is only 28 calories!
I’d like to say that Cinco de Mayo was the inspiration for making this bowl Mexican… but really it’s just because I eat something Mexican-ish nearly every day.
This is the simplest recipe – you simply put the cauliflower in a blender or food processor and pulse until it resembles rice. I added some red pepper to mine to make it more flavorful and festive-looking.
Topped with carrots, black beans, avocado, pineapple, and cilantro and then smothered in a spicy salsa verde, this bowl looked like a fiesta! It made for a filling lunch that didn’t weigh me down and make me yearn for a siesta.
I really loved how the cauliflower really did resemble rice, and the way it took on the other flavors in my Mexican bowl. If I hadn’t made it myself, I would have had no idea I was eating cauliflower!
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Before we get to the recipe… I guess you want to know if you won the Nature Box giveaway. 
The lucky winner is….
Carrie @ Fueled by Plants
Email me your address and I’ll get it to Nature Box in time for the May box delivery!
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Mexican Cauliflower “Rice” Bowl
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1/2 red pepper
- 1/2 C black beans
- 1/2 C pineapple, cubed
- 1/4 C red onion
- 1/2 avocado, cubed
- 1 carrot, diced
- Cilantro
- Salsa
- Cumin, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, S+P, to taste
Cut cauliflower and red pepper into pieces and place in a food processor or blender. Pulse the pieces until they are the size and consistency of rice.
Transfer the “rice” to a medium bowl. Top with remaining ingredients. Sprinkle with cumin, a pinch of cinnamon, red pepper flakes, and S&P, to taste.
Enjoy!
***
I procrastinated packing last night… so I better get to it before my afternoon flight. I can’t believe the Blend weekend is FINALLY here!!!
How will you be celebrating Cinco de Mayo?
Are you a fan of rice? Have you ever made a rice alternative?
41 comments
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Rosemary
May 4, 2012 at 8:02 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ve never seen this idea, I love it and it looks delicious and healthy and easy enough to prepare, thanks for sharing!
Laura
May 7, 2012 at 10:00 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks! It is really easy to prepare!
Lee
May 4, 2012 at 8:19 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You should just get a salad from Willy’s! It’s what you are ordering, but with lettuce. I always get a salad with tofu. Yum. I love their tofu.
Tessa @ Amazing Asset
May 4, 2012 at 8:34 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Congrats to the winner! What a rather perfect idea for a cinco de mayo dish
Thanks for the idea Laura and I hope you have a most lovely weekend!
Tiffany
May 4, 2012 at 8:43 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I actually really love rice… but I love cauliflower too! This is great and congrats to the winner!
Happy Friday chica!
Choc Chip Uru
May 4, 2012 at 8:48 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m glad you have changed your opinion of rice thanks to this gorgeous Mexican dish
I personally love rice plain with some butter and buttermilk
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Laura
May 7, 2012 at 10:05 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Buttermilk? I have never heard of that!
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers
May 4, 2012 at 8:48 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Have fun at Blend.
I’m a big rice fan, but lucky for me, I’m also a cauliflower fan.
janet @ the taste space
May 4, 2012 at 8:57 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Fiesta rice!
I’ve made cauliflower rice before but think I prefer parsnip rice! Of course, it all depends on what else you add to it because both are rather neutral bases. Love how you spiced this one up!
Laura
May 7, 2012 at 10:07 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Very true. Your parsnip rice was amazing.
Alex @ therunwithin
May 4, 2012 at 9:20 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I am dying to try this recipe because I just love cauliflower, this looks like a great spin on it too! thanks for sharing!
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning
May 4, 2012 at 9:37 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Im not a big rice fan either. I always use freekeh in place of it.
I’ll be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with you by drinking good beer and eating awesome food in Boulder!
Laura
May 7, 2012 at 10:16 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I think we should Cino like that every year!
Meg
May 4, 2012 at 10:03 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have even just used a cheese grater for my mock rice. My boyfriend loved it!
Laura
May 7, 2012 at 10:17 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
What a cool idea! I’m going to have to try that out to make a small side dish.
Carrie
May 4, 2012 at 10:13 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
OH WOW – I can’t believe I won! I’ll email you right away. Also I just want to say that the cauliflower rice looks amazing and I definitely want to give that a try!
Carol @ Lucky Zucca
May 4, 2012 at 10:54 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Have fun at blend!!! Cauliflower rice sounds like a neat alternative. I actually do like rice, but more in Asian dishes. I like sticky rice or fried rice the best and neither of those have much healthy nutritional value.. Oh well!
Laura
May 7, 2012 at 10:18 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I do make exceptions for friend rice. Love it.
Kiri W.
May 4, 2012 at 11:09 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Nope, I’ll be in Canada at a comic convention where my wife is exhibiting/selling. Road trip tonight!
I love rice, though I mostly eat brown rice. I’ve never made cauliflower rice, but I’ve wanted to try for a while
Laura
May 7, 2012 at 10:28 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
A comic convention sounds like soooo much fun!!
Suzi
May 4, 2012 at 11:32 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I love brown rice but I really like this idea of cauliflower rice, sounds cool. You do come up with some tasty combos. Going to try this one. I am sorry to see that I am not the winner, LOL. Congrats to the winner though
Laura
May 7, 2012 at 10:31 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thank you! Let me know if you do try it – I bet you’ll fall in love.
Candy @ Healthy In Candy Land
May 4, 2012 at 12:08 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Have a great weekend! I’ve made cauliflower rice before, but I steamed it a bit to soften it. This bowl sounds delicious, and is making me super-excited for Cinco de Mayo tomorrow! I’ve been counting down for like a week and a half now. As if I need an excuse to eat Mexican food! Plans also include a art showing/open house for a friend, 2 baseball games and a local showing of Footloose on stage with the whole fam. And that is just Saturday!
Laura
May 7, 2012 at 10:35 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
that sounds like a fun-packed weekend! Hope it was a blast!
Laura
May 4, 2012 at 3:51 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That sounds delicious! For a moment, I was tempted to make it tonight, but I’m doing a short race in the morning, so I think I’ll stick to a little less fiber. I really want to try this veggie-rice soon!
Holly
May 4, 2012 at 4:02 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I really need to get in on the cauliflower rice trend. It looks so good.
Have you tried spelt? It takes about 25 minutes to cook, which is a drag, but I think the buttery, wild taste is really worth it. Quinoa and polenta are great rice substitutes too.
Laura
May 7, 2012 at 10:42 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ve only used spelt flour… I’ll have to check it out as a rice alternative. I do love quinoa and polenta!
Shannon - Healthiful Balance
May 5, 2012 at 2:25 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I need to make this recipe ASAP, it looks soo good! Congrats to the giveaway winner! Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Baker Street
May 5, 2012 at 4:18 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I am a big cauliflower fan and this is right up my alley!
Khushboo
May 5, 2012 at 7:36 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Annnnd bookmark! Love the sound of this recipe and will definitely be trying it when I’m back home! Especially after my successful cauliflower crust pizza, I have high hopes for this! Have a great weekend!
Laura
May 7, 2012 at 10:49 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I want to try your pizza!!!
Terra
May 6, 2012 at 11:57 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This sounds wonderful, love the addition of pineapple! I usually sub rice with quinoa, or cous cous. I like rice, just not my favorite:-) Hugs, Terra
Laura
May 7, 2012 at 10:51 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I could eat pineapple all day long. I bet this same combo would be awesome with quinoa!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.
May 6, 2012 at 8:10 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This looks so good! I’ve never tried making cauliflower rice but I have wanted to try it! I love the Mexican flavors too!
Corey @ Learning Patience
May 7, 2012 at 10:23 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I am making this tonight…can’t wait!
xoxo from Trinidad
Laura
May 7, 2012 at 10:51 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Awesome! Let me know how you like it!
Cucina49
May 7, 2012 at 5:23 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I agree that white rice is a total waste of calories, but I do love brown. This looks much healthier, though, and absolutely delicious!
Laura
May 7, 2012 at 10:54 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Ok, ok… I have been known to eat some wild rice.
Anna
May 10, 2012 at 10:52 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hello, great read on that one about Cauliflower rice. Nice blog. Keep up posting! Cheers, Anna.
Kara
April 17, 2013 at 5:51 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Do you cook the cauliflower before or after your “rice” it?
Laura
April 17, 2013 at 5:58 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I don’t cook it at all!