This cauliflower rice pilaf is the perfect side dish for your weeknight dinner or your Easter holiday. It’s great for any guests that have dietary restrictions (vegan, paleo, gluten free, etc.)
I’ve been wanting to experiment with the whole cauliflower rice as a rice substitute for awhile (not because I dislike or think anything is wrong with rice, I’m just a curious being). In the past I’ve tried the whole cauliflower crust thing (eh, it was okay), and a few other riced cauliflower recipes (some successful some okay). It was time to do some experimenting with my own recipe so I decided to make a cauliflower rice pilaf over a risotto because I watch a lot of Top Chef—> read more about the curse of the risotto here and make sure you start watching this show because it’s amazing and inspiring!
Anyways back to the cauliflower rice pilaf, I researched some typical rice pilaf recipes and it sounded easy enough to make to me so I started cooking. The biggest thing about making this is that you should be stirring pretty frequently… I find it’s a good option for making while you are working in the kitchen on other parts of the meal… it’s not really a walk into the other room for 20 minutes type of recipe. That’s being said it is simple to make and very delicious.
Cauliflower Rice Pilaf
Ingredients
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- 1 TBSP olive oil
- 2 shallots
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 12 oz package riced cauliflower
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 TBSP dijon mustard
- 1 TBSP lemon juice
- salt and pepper to taste
- Scallions optional
Instructions
- Toast almonds on a heated pan on the stove for about 5 minutes or until they are starting to brown.
- Once done, set aside, and carefully wipe pan clean.
- Add 1 TBSP olive at medium heat.
- Peel and diced shallots and garlic and add to pan.
- Saute about 5 minutes.
- Add cauliflower rice, saute 5 minutes.
- Add broth, cook until mostly absorbed, about 10-15 minutes.
- Add lemon juice, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Top with almonds and garnish with chopped scallions if using
Have you ever made a pilaf? Or used cauliflower rice??
