The popularity of cauliflower rice has taken the world by storm and this low-calorie alternative to traditional rice is one of the tastiest new side dishes in town. Cauliflower pizza crusts, steaks, and now rice have been building a solid reputation with foodies for around 10 years now, and cauliflower rice hit the headlines due to its popularity as a staple by followers of the paleo diet. This diet aims to feed the body with the types of meals that are biochemically similar to those that would have been eaten by our cavemen ancestors. One of the main tips with this rice is to grate the cauliflower up as finely as possible: this way it cooks up to resemble rice a lot more. If you haven’t yet tried this fluffy veggie rice then you really are missing out, and here are all the top reasons for this.
Cauliflower rice becomes a global trend
Some fun facts about this emerging global craze for cauliflower include:
- The popular paleo diet helped propel global interest in cauliflower rice.
- There are a variety of top brands offering the product in packaged format, including Cauliflower Crumbles from Green Giant, which was first launched in 2015.
- White rice has around 140 calories per 100g, while cauliflower rice only has 25 calories and is also full of vitamins C, B6, K and folate alongside many more nutrients.
How is cauliflower rice made?
In its very simplest format, cauliflower is simply whizzed through a food processor or finely grated to create very small crumbs that resemble traditional rice. It is then seasoned and sautéd for a few minutes in a very small amount of oil. There are lots of different recipes for the dish, though, as it can be a meal on its own, making it ideal for vegetarians or vegans.
So, how is this ‘wonder’ food actually eaten?
You could say cauliflower rice is a true ‘wonder’ food due to all the reasons above. You can eat it as a replacement for traditional rice, making it the ideal accompaniment for all kinds of different meals ranging from chilli con carne through to curries.
Is it available in restaurants and for delivery?
Cauliflower rice is available in lots of Singapore restaurants, including all Yolo outlets, which offer it with herb chicken (320 kcal/dairy free) or as a base dish (50 kcal/gluten and dairy free, and ideal for vegans) and this way customers can build their own meals to suit their preferences. You could also try FOC in Hong Kong Street and Pim Pam, where the dish is listed in the tapas menu and is sautéed with spring onions and pine nuts. If you prefer spicy, curried veggies, you could also check out the Kawa Topi at Mustard Restaurant, which is masala-flavoured cauliflower that’s cooked on the griddle.
