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Spanish Cauliflower Rice is a light and healthy side dish mixing cauliflower rice with spice, diced tomatoes, kale and jalapeños. Serve this side dish with your weeknight meals or add beans and make it a meal! This is one you will love!
SPANISH CAULIFLOWER
I am really excited about today’s recipe for Spanish Cauliflower Rice from Julia at The Roasted Root’s new cookbook Let Them Eat Kale!
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of her new cookbook and can’t wait to try a long list of the recipes including the Cheesy Mashed Yams, Southwest Stuffed Bell Peppers and Kale and Chickpea Salad with Ginger-Tahini Dressing.
What I love about her cookbook, aside from the mouth watering photos, is how easily she incorporates kale into each dish and brings rich flavors and spices in to complement it.
Her book includes information about not only the health benefits of kale but also different methods for preparing kale and incorporating it into your cooking, gardening tips and 75 recipes that include the leafy green. This Spanish Cauliflower Rice vegan recipe is a great example!
I remember a few years ago when kale first became a huge food trend. I have to be honest I wasn’t on board right away and thought it had a slightly bitter taste and was a little bit tough.
After using kale in salads and cooking with it throughout the past year I have warmed up to it and really like it. I now try to use it in dishes I cook as much as possible.
It really is a “super” food that offers so many healthy benefits.
If you are wondering what the health benefits are here are just a few: kale is one of the most nutrient-dense super foods in the world.
It contains a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, is low in calories, boosts immunity, and fights disease. Kale is full of Vitamins K, A, and C, beta-carotene, and antioxidants, and phytonutrients. Just one cup of chopped kale earns you 684% of your daily value of Vitamin K, 206% of Vitamin A, and 134% of Vitamin C.
All of these factors contribute to kale’s ability to help keep your immune system strong and prevent and alleviate disease.
I have become more interested in super foods lately and am trying to incorporate them into my family’s meal.
If you are looking for an easy side dish that packs a health punch, this is your dish.
When I was looking through Let Them Eat Kale! for a recipe to try I knew I had to make the Spanish Cauliflower Rice.
We eat a lot of rice in my house and I had never tried creating a rice texture from cauliflower.
Even my picky husband really enjoyed this Spanish Cauliflower Rice dish!
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Spanish Cauliflower Rice
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 cauliflower, grated (stems removed)
- 6 garlic , minced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
- 2 cups kale
- 1 – 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, unsalted if possible
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
Instructions
- Remove the green stems from the cauliflower and chop the head in half. Using a box grater or food processor, grate the whole head of cauliflower (one half at a time).
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil to medium-high heat and sauté the onion until fragrant and slightly softened, about 3 minutes.
- Add the grated cauliflower, garlic, and jalapeño to the skillet and stir consistently until the cauliflower begins to cook down and turn brown, about 5-8 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium, add the kale leaves and stir them into the cauliflower rice. Cover the skillet, allowing the kale leaves to soften about 2 minutes.
- Add the diced tomatoes, salt and chili powder, and stir them into the “rice.”
- Continue cooking another 2 to 3 minutes to allow some of the moisture to burn off, stirring consistently.
- Serve the Spanish Cauliflower “Rice” alongside your favorite meal!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi awhile ago making this recipes knowing the taste of kale or cauliflower will not bother me for I’ve been eating raw veggies & smoothies for my MS. I like it a lot. Even tho I’m not into jalapeños cuz is too hot for me, it was great that even my husband likes it & found it all natural for he was helping me with the ingredients. Looking forward for more healthy recipes.
Thanks! I agree–the kale and cauliflower are subtle and go well together. I am sure it is great even without the jalapeños!
I love kale in salads
Kale is very good in lasagna too.
I like kale mostly in soups and salads and grill cheese.
I like steaming it until it’s bright green and easy to chew then topping it with a squeeze of lemon juice, some salt, and lots of butter 🙂
I like kale in scrambled eggs.
I became a kale believer when I ate a couple of varieties of dehydrated kale chips. Flat out addictive!
I’ve used cauliflower in mashed potatoes but never as rice — sounds interesting…
never thought of using kale in place of rice but i sure do love it added to rice.
Kale is good in salads, cut in small pieces. It’s nice and crunchy.