Cauliflower Rice with Roasted Tomatoes

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I’m finding that I feel best when I eliminate most things ‘white’ from my daily diet – rice, bread, pasta, milk – all the stuff that leaves you with that heavy feeling. That doesn’t mean you have to give up the taste though. There are so many healthy alternatives and cauliflower rice is the latest craze that I just had to investigate. So I went looking for Pure Blends recipes. This dish was borne from leftovers. I had a little bit of everything in my fridge – cauliflower, celery, tomatoes, mushrooms, spring onions and red pepper. I got a great deal on some cherry tomatoes at the Barrie Hill Farm when I was there last and roasting them for this dish along with the fresh herbs created rich, deep flavours.

Cauliflower Rice with Roasted Tomatoes | simply fresh dinners

This definitely falls into the category of quick and easy and if you make your rice ahead of time, it’s a super speedy dish. I’ve read that some folks are freezing bags of cauliflower rice and I think that’s a terrific idea. You can get a large amount of rice out of a whole head of cauliflower and for this dish, I used only 1/4 of a large head. Some people will recommend steaming it ahead of time or adding water before you put it in the food processor, I didn’t do any of that. I just put the florets into the processor and hit pulse a few times and viola! RICE! At this point you can sautee it (as I did) or roast it (which I will definitely try next time) and the ingredients you add are up to you. It’s a great way to use up your veggies in the fridge and it’s paleo, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and just plain healthy deliciousness! I highly recommend giving this a try. The health benefits are so worth it. Cheers!

I am sharing this recipe with these fun bloggers.

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Cauliflower Rice with Roasted Tomatoes
Author: Robyn
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cups cherry tomatoes (or as many as you prefer)
  • 1/2 head of cauliflower, rinsed and cut into small florets
  • 2 stalks celery, rinsed and diced
  • 1.5 cups mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 spring onions, chopped
  • 1/2 red pepper, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • handful of fresh basil, oregano, marjoram, and parsley, chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
  2. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Put tomatoes in small bowl and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss gently. Place tomatoes on baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes.
  3. While tomatoes are roasting, place florets in processor or blender and pulse three or four times. It’s very quick so don’t overdo it! Remove rice and set aside.
  4. Heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in large sauté pan on medium-high. Saute celery, onions, garlic and red pepper until soft – about 5 minutes. Lower heat to medium and add cauliflower rice, and fresh herbs, stirring until cooked – about 5 minutes.
  5. Add roasted tomatoes and stir well. Remove from heat.
  6. Garnish with fresh basil and parsley.

 

22 Comments

  • Reply
    Anita Rivera
    October 16, 2014 at 4:45 am

    Good morning my friend,

    I hope my comments are going through because on my end, I never see it appear but just see the little wheel spinning, as if the computer is still processing my comment.

    THIS IS A GREAT IDEA. I have used cauliflower to thicken soups and I’ve roasted it with olive oil and garlic, but I’ve never made RICE before! I am trying this tout de suite!

    Enjoy your day sweet Robyn Anita

  • Reply
    Linda
    October 16, 2014 at 11:40 am

    Lovely dish Robyn. This dish seems that it would be so satisfying. Ingredients we all love. I have used cauliflower as faux potatoes. I love seasonings, so garlic would be so good with these ingredients. Lots of love from WW.
    Linda recently posted…Glam SkullduggeryMy Profile

  • Reply
    susan@avintagefarmwife
    October 16, 2014 at 12:09 pm

    Wow, Robin! This looks and sounds delicious and I’ve never heard of cauliflower rice. Hmmmm! BTW-love your header photo.

  • Reply
    cheri
    October 16, 2014 at 3:54 pm

    Hi Robyn, this is my kind of dish, love cauliflower. Great idea to freeze it.
    cheri recently posted…Sharlotka, A Russian Apple CakeMy Profile

  • Reply
    Mindy
    October 16, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    Why have I not heard of cauliflower rice before now?! Looks so good. I love the idea of freezing it too. And the roasted tomatoes…sigh…
    Mindy recently posted…Giving Thanks FridayMy Profile

  • Reply
    Stephanie
    October 16, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    Yummy in my tummy! This would be a perfect side dish for tonight’s supper….if only I had all the ingredients 🙂 I am adding this to my menu and can’t wait to try it.

    Thanks, dear friend, for amazing recipes. Hugs to you!
    Stephanie recently posted…Heartfelt Thanks…and Comfort FoodMy Profile

  • Reply
    Marla
    October 17, 2014 at 10:25 am

    Hi Robyn,
    Another wonderful recipe that looks so tempting and healthy. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & twitted.
    Marla recently posted…Real Food Fridays #60 – Food For The SoulMy Profile

  • Reply
    Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
    October 19, 2014 at 7:34 am

    This looks delicious! I’ll definitely be trying it! Pinning and sharing!
    Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life recently posted…Lemony Kale Quinoa SaladMy Profile

  • Reply
    Christine
    October 19, 2014 at 11:53 pm

    Now I wish I hadn’t used up that cauliflower in a soup last night! I’m always on the lookout for quick, healthy sides!
    Christine recently posted…Pomegranate Pear Tarte TatinMy Profile

  • Reply
    Maggie
    October 19, 2014 at 11:59 pm

    Cauliflower rice sounds like a healthy and delicious idea! I know people use cauliflower for pizza crust, but the rice thing is really new! I like the way to cook it, really like a stir fried normal rice. Thank you for sharing this great idea. I really should consider to reduce my consumption of carbs now, because I feel heavy most of the time during the day!
    Maggie recently posted…No-Sugar Shortbread Cookies with NutsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Kyla @ HouseOfHipsters
    October 20, 2014 at 12:11 pm

    I’ve never had cauliflower rice, but I’ve heard it is wonderful. I must try this. Thanks for Sharing! Found you on the Pieced Pastimes link up =)
    Kyla @ HouseOfHipsters recently posted…Brandy Old-Fashioned SweetMy Profile

  • Reply
    Michelle @ The Complete Savorist
    October 20, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    Cauliflower rice has been something I have wanted to make for a long time. Seeing this dish has made that want a need!
    Michelle @ The Complete Savorist recently posted…Sage Apple Cranberry DressingMy Profile

  • Reply
    Miz Helen
    October 20, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    Hi Robyn,
    What a beautiful dish and looks packed with flavor. Thanks so much for sharing this awesome post with Full Plate Thursday and have a great day.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen
    Miz Helen recently posted…Roasted Pumpkin Enchiladas with Pumpkin SauceMy Profile

  • Reply
    mila furman
    October 22, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    I gotta jump on this cauliflower rice recipe wagon! Need to try it out immediately! And such gorgeous pictures of the tomatoes! Thanks for coming by and linking with us at #FoodieFridays! You have been pinned 🙂
    mila furman recently posted…31 Days to Clean Eating…Big Bowl Copykat Vietnamese Chicken SoupMy Profile

  • Reply
    Michelle @ Healthy Recipe Ecstasy
    October 22, 2014 at 2:56 pm

    I am super excited about this dish! I definitely feel better when I eliminate the white foods from my diet as well. But I love substituting cauliflower and this is one of the yummiest, freshest looking cauliflower rice dishes I’ve seen!
    Michelle @ Healthy Recipe Ecstasy recently posted…The Ultimate Pregnancy Lunch: Salmon & Spinach Quinoa SaladMy Profile

  • Reply
    Shirley Wood
    October 22, 2014 at 7:50 pm

    This is a brand new idea for me! I cannot wait to try it! So glad you share with us at Home Matters! Please be sure to come back next week:-)
    That dish is really pretty too!
    Shirley Wood recently posted…Home Matters Linky Party #11 And A GiveawayMy Profile

  • Reply
    Diane (@SimpleLivingEat)
    October 22, 2014 at 7:57 pm

    This truly does look filling with out being heavy. Pinned. Thanks for bringing this to Weekend Bites.

  • Reply
    Mary
    October 26, 2014 at 10:12 pm

    Hi Robyn,

    I love cauliflower, and I can’t wait to give this recipe a go! Thank you so much for sharing this. This is quick and healthy and I can add just about anything in the fridge to it. Genius. I’m featuring your recipe this week. I hope you have a nice Halloween!

    • Reply
      Robyn
      October 27, 2014 at 6:44 am

      Thanks so much for the feature, Mary! I really loved this healthy alternative. Have a great week!

  • Reply
    Home Matters Linky Party #12 |
    October 29, 2014 at 4:01 am

    […] Pumpkin Pie Cups from More Than a Mom of Three Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte from Natural Chow Cauliflower Rice with Roasted Tomatoes from Simply Fresh Dinners Mushroom Spinach Chicken with White Wine Sauce from Crumby Cupcake And […]

  • Reply
    Home Matters Linky Party
    October 29, 2014 at 6:14 am

    […] Pumpkin Pie Cups from More Than a Mom of Three Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte from Natural Chow Cauliflower Rice with Roasted Tomatoes from Simply Fresh Dinners Mushroom Spinach Chicken with White Wine Sauce from Crumby Cupcake   […]

  • Reply
    Shirley Wood
    October 29, 2014 at 6:20 am

    Your recipe is Featured today at Home Matters Linky! Please stop by and grab our Featured button! Thanks so much for sharing this delicious recipe. Please be sure to come to the party this week, it’s Live now!
    Shirley Wood recently posted…Home Matters Linky Party #12My Profile

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