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    Home » Rice Recipes » Lunch Box Series : LBS#55 ~ Cauliflower Rice!

    Lunch Box Series : LBS#55 ~ Cauliflower Rice!

    Published: Jan 28, 2010 · Modified: Sep 23, 2020 by Srivalli · 17 Comments

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    I know I made a big mistake when I eyed that not so big lovely cauliflower that was calling out to me! Of course ever since buying it, it has been calling me still. First I made a dry subji, then a pakora, then a mixed curry with cauliflower. Finally I kept some to attempt at a new idea that was playing on mind. But just couldn't get myself do it. And of course things happened to my convenience that I never attempted that.

    Would you believe this is the third week since buying the vegetable. Yet when I opened the packet it was still so fresh. I was setting new standards on vegetable storage and gave a new meaning for procrastination. With all the zeal one can have, I looked at that medium sized cauliflower on the top rack and made the shop keeper get it down to me. As if I would be cooking it all on the very day! December is the time we get loads and loads of these lovely dainty flowers on charts and Athamma, as usual was telling me that we aren't making best use of the seasonal vegetables.

    Inclination is not just enough for getting something done. You need to have lot more of something else, this is the lesson learnt from this incident. I had two different occasions where I could've tried out that new idea that has been running around mind with cauliflower. Yet did nothing possible to make them. Anyway finally I decided that I will make that Cauliflower Pulao or Rice or whatever you may call this dish, that I remember from years back. I remember seeing a recipe on a paper clipping featuring Malika Badrinath. In that toned paper, which Amma had recently borrowed, I saw this recipe again.

    True to nature, I didn't follow the recipe. It called for some Amti Masala or Curry Masala. Seriously I just googled to know what goes in an Amti Masala. But I can see that its going to be long studying of a new mix. That is scheduled for another day. For now I will go ahead explaining how I finally made this Cauliflower Rice.

    The day never starts differently at home. Today was extra hectic as I was trying to shoot two recipes before getting to work. Let me talk about this one today.

    Cauliflower Rice

    Preparation Time : 10 mins
    Rice Soaking Time : 15 mins
    Cooking Time : 20- 30 mins
    Pan Cooking

    Ingredients Needed:

    Rice - 1 cup
    Cauliflower - 2 cups or medium sized flower, cut into florets.
    Onions - 2 medium, juliennes.
    Mustard Seeds - 1/4 tsp
    Green chilies 4 (or as per taste)
    Asafetida - a pinch
    Cashew nuts - 5 -6 whole
    Curry leaves - 4 -5
    Salt to taste
    Turmeric powder a pinch
    Cumin powder - 1/4 tsp
    Chili powder - 3/4 tsp
    Coriander powder - 3/4 tsp
    Garam Masala - 3/4 tsp
    Curds/ Yogurt - 1/4 cup
    Oil - 2 tsp
    Ghee - 1 tsp
    Water - 2 & 1/2 cups

    Method to prepare:

    • Wash and soak Rice for 15 mins.
    • Wash and cut the cauliflower into bite sized florets. Add salt and boiling water to the cauliflower and keep it covered for 10 mins.
    • Heat the pan with oil. pop the mustards, then add the curry leaves, Hing, Cashew nuts and onions. Sauté till onions are turning brown.
    • Drain the cauliflower from water and add the florets to the pan. Stir well, add salt and turmeric. Cover with a lid and simmer to low flame and cook for 5 -7 mins, stirring in intervals.
    • By now the cauliflower will get soft. Drain the rice from water and add to the pan. Combine everything and again cook for 5 mins with lid covered.
    • Meanwhile boil water and then pour over the rice. Increase to high flame, add the cumin, coriander, chili powder and Garam Masala. Beat the curds smooth add to this. Adjust salt and spice if required.
    • Cover with lid, simmer and cook till done. It takes about 10 mins to reach the correct consistency. Switch off the flame, when you find that the rice is nicely cooked.
    • Add the ghee and combine everything. Cover again and let it rest for 5 mins.

    Notes:

    Drain the cauliflower completely before using, same with rice.

    The rice that I have requires extra half cup of water to get cooked to the right consistency. So use your judgment. For Basmati, the ratio is always 1:1 water. The recipe called for more chilies, but I used only 4, plus red chili powder. The rice had the right spice level. Since I don't know if amti masala or curry masala comes with chili powder in it. I just assumed I will have to add chili powder to make it more spicy.
    Cauliflower has that funny smell and taste that needs to be masked by spice, so make this rice a bit more spicy to enjoy the overall effect.

    This was the first time I have actually cooked a mixed Rice/ Pulao without adding Ginger garlic paste or added curry leaves. I must say the taste was very good.

    This is coming straight from the kitchen today, as it was my lunchbox today. Hope you enjoyed, we for sure enjoyed and will be making it often!

    Recipe

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    Lunch Box Series : LBS#55 ~ Cauliflower Rice!

    Course Main Dish - Rice
    Dish Type Cauliflower Dishes
    Author Srivalli
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cooking4all or tag #cooking4all!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ramya Vijaykumar says

      January 28, 2010 at 6:28 pm

      Looks divine and tempting... Just used up my cauliflower after seeing your biriyani am all tempting doing shopping again for CF...

      Reply
    2. Divya Vikram says

      January 28, 2010 at 6:40 pm

      You are really a superwoman Valli. Cooking up all this before work!

      Reply
    3. Ann says

      January 28, 2010 at 6:56 pm

      How funny! I'm having a cauliflower overlaod in my fridge too. On the other side of the planet! This looks like a great recipe!

      Reply
    4. Priya says

      January 28, 2010 at 8:26 pm

      I do this cauliflower rice very often, my daughter"s fav..

      Reply
    5. DEESHA says

      January 28, 2010 at 8:44 pm

      I love cauliflower in any form .. just ate aloo gobi yesterday

      Reply
    6. Epicurette says

      January 28, 2010 at 9:11 pm

      That is very, very pretty and probably smelled supurb. Just the thing to make the person in the next cubicle eatting a sandwich very jealous 🙂

      Reply
    7. Rachana Kothari says

      January 28, 2010 at 9:20 pm

      Rice looks yummm:)

      Reply
    8. Sudeshna says

      January 28, 2010 at 7:12 pm

      This seems to be a good option for tomorrow's lunch :). Thanks for sharing dear.

      Reply
    9. Tina says

      January 29, 2010 at 5:41 am

      Never tried this ...Looks yummy...

      Reply
    10. Tina says

      January 29, 2010 at 5:42 am

      Looks yummy..

      Reply
    11. nivedita says

      January 29, 2010 at 6:11 am

      Hi Srivalli,
      I love the way you write the recipe! It is as good as making it.
      You are a sweetheart.
      Loved the pictures.

      Reply
    12. Kanchan says

      January 29, 2010 at 6:37 am

      Totally new combo, just today I prepared a very simple dry sabzi with cauliflower I really need to think the innovative way like you !

      Reply
    13. Cynthia says

      January 29, 2010 at 2:15 am

      I would never have thought to make such a combo, thanks for the idea and inspiration.

      Reply
    14. Shama Nagarajan says

      January 29, 2010 at 8:39 am

      nice rice..delicious

      Reply
    15. Chitra says

      January 29, 2010 at 11:09 am

      Looks very nice & sounds easy too..i'll surely try 🙂

      Reply
    16. AshKuku says

      January 30, 2010 at 5:43 am

      Looks totally adorable & mouthwatering….. Yummy one for kids to savor from their lunch box…. & brag about it & their mom's cooking to their friends…. AWESOME!!!!!

      Reply
    17. Anonymous says

      February 05, 2010 at 2:32 pm

      Hi Srivalli,

      I made this cauliflower rice today and we all simply loved it. I used less spices according to our taste and made some keera raita. Thanks for a new and wonderful dish.

      Santhi

      Reply

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    srivalli

    Hi! Seasons change, yet there are some timeless recipes you can enjoy anytime. If you are sport for it, you are in the right place!

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