5 Cauliflower Rice Flavors That Work With Pinoy Ulam

A Fil-Am comedian famously describes Filipinos as "ricecevores." It’s a fair comment. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, a Pinoy can consume an average of 118.81 kilograms annually. Rice is king in the country, from main meals, snacks, and even desserts. But high blood sugar is a downside of excessive consumption. It's hard to do away with rice. Thankfully a healthier substitute is available. Meet cauliflower rice.

What Is Cauliflower Rice?

Cauliflower rice is a low-carb, grain-free alternative to white rice. Manually grate or chop cauliflower in a food processor until you reach pieces roughly the size of rice grains. It’s that simple!

Before cooking, squeeze out any excess moisture. Wrap your chopped cauliflower in an absorbent towel, then squeeze out any remaining water. This extra step keeps the rice from becoming soggy. Instead of steaming, sauté your cauliflower in olive oil. Your seasoning can be as simple as salt and pepper, but you can add more ingredients a la fried rice.

Cauliflower rice recipes are incredibly straightforward to make. The florets have a neutral flavor, making them a blank canvas for herbs and spices. Are you interested in learning more? Keep reading to find out ways you can give cauli rice a glow-up.

Tasty Cauliflower Rice Flavors

Don’t sleep on cauliflower over broccoli. On its own, cauliflower has a mild bitterness that mellows out after cooking. Transform this low-carb rice substitute with these ingredients.

Cilantro lime

Cilantro and lime provide cauli rice with a delightful brightness that pairs well with Spanish, Mexican, or Latin dishes. Are you thinking of cooking arroz a la Cubana? Make it carb-free! Do you love burritos? You can still enjoy them even when you’re counting calories.

To season for this type of cuisine, add freshly chopped cilantro and lime juice while sauteing the cauliflower bits. Finish with a little bit of garlic salt.

Creamy coconut

You gata try this combination! Coconut milk features prominently in Filipino cuisine – from laing and adobo to even salmon paksiw and pork menudo. Pour in Knorr Ginataang Gulay Mix as the cauliflower cooks. It not only adds flavor but also creaminess into this rice alternative. Beef up your meal by adding shrimp, chicken, fish – essentially any ingredient from a recipe that features coconut milk.

Parmesan

Cheese is a quick way to umami-fy food. Cook the chopped cauliflower with minced garlic and a nob of butter. Finish it with Parmesan cheese on top, and you are done! Enjoy this cheesy rice alternative with beef caldereta or with buffalo wings.

Garlic herb

Garlic rice is a crucial component of silogs. Don’t miss out just because you are watching your diet. Try a garlic herb cauli recipe that goes well with beef tapa, tocino, or bacon and eggs. Add minced garlic, cayenne, black pepper, and cilantro to stir-fried cauliflower.

Turmeric

Turmeric not only adds a vibrant hue to any dish but is also an excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Including this beloved spice in your cauliflower rice recipe means you reap double the health benefits.

You can season pan-fried cauli rice with turmeric, garlic, and onion powder. Make a Middle Eastern-themed plate by pairing this golden rice with a delicious shawarma recipe. Serve with yogurt sauce.

The easiest way to store uncooked cauliflower rice is in an airtight container. It can last up to 10 days in the refrigerator. Once it starts turning gray or begins to smell strange, dispose and make a new batch. On the other hand, cooked cauli rice can last up to seven days, so you can prepare ahead.

Alternatively, freezing the rice in cup-sized portions can prolong it for up to 30 days. Just thaw out portions to room temperature before warming. Now that you know what to do with cauliflower rice, it's time to try these flavors yourself. Pick your fave and start cooking!