Is white rice bad for you?

I’ve read so much about how white rice isn’t necessarily good for you. White rice is more processed, but it’s not necessarily bad. Most white rice is enriched with vitamins to improve its nutritional value. Additionally, its low fiber content may help with digestive issues. Brown is ultimately healthier and more nutritious. I tend to make both of them quite often to serve with some of my main dishes because my family likes rice.  But when we are cutting down on carbs, I have a tough time finding good alternatives.

Cauliflower Rice

Now that I’ve tried Cauliflower Rice, that may change a bit.  The cauliflower rice is sauteed with butter, onion, carrot, and garlic.  Then it’s steamed a little bit with some chicken broth and finished off with fresh cilantro.  My family actually enjoys it, and they tell me it’s a nice change.  Win win! Just for the record though: it looks like rice and it has the consistency of rice, but it doesn’t taste like rice.  It tastes like cauliflower.

Whole 30

This recipe comes from The Whole 30: The 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom by Melissa and Dallas Hartwig: Copyright © 2015 by Whole 9 Life, LLC.  I have not participated in the 30 day program that they detail in this book- it’s a 30 day commitment to change your diet and your emotional approach to eating.  They’ve led hundred of thousands of people to effortless weight loss and better health with their program, and the detail it all in their book.  There are more than 100 recipes using familiar ingredients. I’ve done the 30 day commitment before, and it was a great re-set! I am impressed with the recipes in the book.  They’re simple recipes using real ingredients.  You’ll find recipes for things like Grilled Coconut Curry Chicken, Baby Back Ribs with Tangy BBQ Sauce, Roasted Spaghetti Squash, Roasted Beets with Grapefruit Thyme Vinaigrette and Perfect Poached Eggs.  I use this book a lot when I’m planning dinners for my family.

To “rice” the cauliflower, you can gently pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor.  If you don’t own a food processor, it’s okay to grate the cauliflower with a cheese grater instead.  

Can you just use the bagged riced cauliflower from the store for this recipe?

Nowadays, you’ll find cauliflower already riced and sold in a bag at your market.  You can certainly buy the bag and use that in place of buying the head of cauliflower and ricing it yourself.  However, keep in mind that the stuff in the bag won’t be as fresh as a nice head of good-looking cauliflower.  I always take the time to process or grate it myself because I think it tastes better. Try the cauliflower rice, and let me know what you think!

Here are a few more cauliflower recipes you might enjoy:

Cauliflower Tortillas Grilled Cauliflower Steaks Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes Cauliflower Parmesan Crisps Easy Cheesy Cauliflower Breadsticks Pickled Cauliflower