You won’t believe that this simple rice pilaf is made primarily with one secret ingredient: Cauliflower! It’s unbelievably fluffy and jam-packed with tender broccoli, crunchy almonds and soft golden raisins. Serve with roast chicken or fish for a healthy dinner or lunch.
Guys, I feel that the time is here and the time is now to confess my ginormous and somewhat-ridiculous love for cauliflower rice.
Yep. I’ve hopped on board the cauli-rice train and I am never ever getting off.
Big huge-ish bowls of fluffy cauliflower rice with tender broccoli, toasty almonds, and soft golden raisins to be exact….gahhh!
And I’m using the term “rice” pretty loosely here, and you may wonder why in the title, rice is surrounded by quotation marks.
As you may have guessed by now, the “rice” part of this pilaf is actually cauliflower all ground up into rice-shaped pieces and pretending to be legit rice.
Cauli, you had me going there for a few seconds. And I’M the one who actually made this pilaf so I knew exactly what was in it and it still fooled me when I took that first taste.
You’re pretty dang sneaky, cauli. 😉
Guys, its basically astounding how awesome this pilaf tastes when basically all you’re eating is veggies. Health food?! All the way. — My mind is blown.
So your food processor: This is where the magic begins. Chop up a head of cauliflower, throw it in and give it a few whirls until the cauliflower resembles tiny pieces of rice.
From there, you’re just gonna throw it in a skillet with some onions, garlic, a little bit of coconut oil, and chopped broccoli florets.
It’ll only take about 5 minutes of sauteing over medium-high heat then….dump in those almonds, golden raisins, a little bit of chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper, aaaaand…
Faceplant into the entire pile of this fluffy mountain of heaven.
Who needs a fork when you have a productive face?
Sorry. TMI? Movin’ on….
My mom, who you may have heard is on a Paleo diet, absolutely LOVES this rice and has recently been buying head after head of cauliflower so I can make it for her.—I’ve literally made this rice pilaf 3 times in the past week.
Seriously, she’s going cauliflower-crazy and I think it’s starting to rub off on me, because I’m completely hooked on cauli now too…
Yeah, so I’m blaming my mom for the fact that I ended up making my dinner last night, solely two huge bowls of this rice.
Everyone else in my family hates, repeat HATES this rice, but my mom and I are totally cool with that. That means there’s just two of us to fight over the leftovers. (I usually win those fights since I’m the one who made it–ha!)
You’ll understand why this super-fluffy rice is worth fighting over just from SMELLING it cooking. Once you taste it, forget it—Your self control is going, going, gone.
Who knew cauliflower could be so sneakily amazing?
This is heaven, guys. Who needs brownies when you have cauliflower rice?! 😀
Broccoli Cauliflower “Rice” Pilaf
Ingredients
- 1 medium head of cauliflower coarsely chopped
- 1-1/2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup golden raisins
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place chopped cauliflower florets in a food processor. Pulse several times until cauliflower is ground up into tiny pieces. (do not overprocess)
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, saute ground-up cauliflower, broccoli florets, onion, and garlic in coconut oil. Stir occasionally until veggies are tender and cauliflower is softened slightly and resembles rice-texture.
- Remove cauliflower rice from heat and stir in almonds, raisins, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm.
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
Cauli-rice?! Brilliant!!!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I was going to say this is so great for Paleo diet! Your mom must really love you for making her this. How can your mom avoid the temptation of all the yummy treats you make? She is a strong lady : )
Sarah says
I definitely earn some major points with her when she sees me making her a pan of this rice!
And oh gosh, I don’t know how she resists the variety of sweets we usually always have in the house either!—she’s definitely a strong lady. 😉
Danielle says
I’ve been wanting to try cauliflower rice, but haven’t yet. I can’t lie I’m a little scared! Your recipe is definitely convincing me to give it a try though, it looks delicious! Pinning 🙂
Sarah says
Don’t be nervous, Danielle! I was little nervous too the first time I tested out this rice, but the results were SO good! Let me know if you try it, girl!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I love cauliflower rice, Sarah! My mom made it one time and it was so delicious. Sadly, I haven’t attempted it on my own, but this sounds like the perfect recipe to try out! Love the addition of broccoli, too!
Sarah says
Isn’t cauli-rice the best thing EVER, Gayle?! You so need to try making ‘yer own! 🙂
marcie says
I’m a cauliflower fiend, and I would eat this entire bowl! It looks so healthy and delicious! Pinning. 🙂
Sarah says
Haha! Cauliflower fiend—love that. 😀 Thanks for the pin, Marcie!
Grandma says
WOW! This is beautiful. I have heard so much about this (from your Mom) – now I get to try it. Thanks Sarah!
Sarah says
I can’t wait to hear what you think of it, Grandma! 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
This looks fantastic Sarah! I love cauliflower rice and that’s so sweet that you made this for your mom 🙂 She must have loved this so much – pinning 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks Kelly! Cauli-rice is the best, right? 😉 Thanks for the pin too, girl!
Caleah says
Wow!!!! Never heard of cauliflower rice!!! I’ll have to try it! Yummy as always Sarah!
Sarah says
You SO need to try it, Caleah! Best. thing. ever. 😀
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
I NEED to get on the cauliflower rice train 🙂 Your cauliflower rice actually looks like the real thing! I love cauliflower sauces and mashed potatoes so I am sure that I’d love this dish! I love how you’ve made a meal out of it with raisins and broccoli (love those cruciferous veggies). Very excited to try this dish in the future 🙂
Sarah says
I still have yet to try cauliflower mashed potatoes!—on my to-do list. 😉 I hope you’ll let me know how this rice turns out, Ceara!
Joanne says
I’ve heard so many good things about cauli rice and yet I so rarely (read: never) make it! Love all the mix-ins you threw in here. Those have to make it all the more delicious.
Sarah says
Get on the cauli-rice train, girl! You’ll never wanna get off. 😀
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
I love raw cauliflower pulsed in a food processor! Try this as a cauliflower “pesto” with sun dried tomatoes, olives, parsley, parmesan etc. . it’s delicious!!! love this, pinned!
Sarah says
Oh, yum! I love the idea of making it into a pesto—must try that one!
Thanks for the pin, Alice! 🙂
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
I LOVE me some cauli rice! BUT I have yet to turn it into a pilaf. I used to eat so many pilafs in my “real rice” eatin’ days so I NEED to stuff this mah face! Pinned!
Sarah says
You’re basically already the queen of all cauliflower rice so you for SURE need to try it in the form of a pilaf! Your face will LURVE it, I promise. 😀 LOL Thanks for the pin, girl!
Shashi at runninsrilankan says
I have yet to try cauli rice – yours is making my mouth water – love the texture and flavor combos in it!!!
Sarah says
Oh, you SO need to try cauli-rice, Shashi! You’ll love it. 🙂
Annie @Maebells says
How fun?! I have never tried the whole cauliflower rice thing, mainly because…well because I like real rice! ha! But this looks great, I love the almonds and broccoli you added!
Sarah says
Hahaha! Real rice is amazing too, but cauli-rice is a whole ‘nother ballpark of amazing. 😀 Thanks Annie!
Isadora says
I could totally eat a big bowl if this for dinner and be so happy! I’ve honestly never tried the cauliflower rice thing, but I’ve been wanting to for so long. You have really motivated me! It looks so much like real rice that I’m wondering if I could trick my cauliflower hating husband into eating it, haha! I will have to give it a try!
Sarah says
I think it’s definitely worth a shot! I wasn’t able to trick most of my picky family members, but hey, maybe you’ll have better luck than I did! Really, there’s NOTHING to hate about amazing-ness like this. 😀
Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen says
ISN’T Cauliflower amazing??? I loveeee this!! I cannot believe I haven’t tired cauliflower rice yet – Shame! I’ve got to especially since I just bought broccoli. Great recipe Sarah!
Sarah says
I’m kinda loving the fact that we BOTH posted cauliflower recipes so close together! And YES you so need to try cauli-rice, Jessica! You will fall completely in love. 🙂
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong says
Wow!! Culiflower rice is genius.. and this looks so delicious… absolutely loving this incredible pilaf.. 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks, Arpita! 🙂
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life says
You really just read my mind. I was making lo mein yesterday and was like, I should try the cauliflower rice thing that’s going around Pinterest.
This looks waaaay better.
The almonds and broccoli make this such a pretty side dish!
Sarah says
Hahaha YES. Girl, you so need to hop on board the cauli-train—you’ll be glad you did. 😀
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
I bet your family just loves when you cook for them! Sounds like your mom for sure does! I would love a big bowl of this! I wish I could get my kids to eat this healthy!
Sarah says
You should totally try and trick your kids with this cauli-rice, Amber! They’ll never be any the wiser. 😉