It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. I’m talking about moving. The excitement of exploring life in a new city and decorating a new home, quickly turns in to one big headache with Murphy’s Law rearing its ugly head. In the midst of the chaos, I realized three things: 1. moving is exhausting 2. I have a food processor obsession 3. coconut ginger cauliflower rice is the bomb.
Soooo moving and cauliflower rice are not even remotely related, I know. But after repeated days eating fast food and pizza, I was MORE than ready to start eating the ‘usual’ again. And I wanted to make something that was versatile for a bunch of different meals, that I could throw in the refrigerator and easily reheat.
This coconut ginger cauliflower rice makes the perfect Whole30 compliant, paleo, squeaky clean side dish or meal addition for a variety of meal options. Try it with grilled teriyaki chicken and pineapple. Or add roasted curried veggies for a meatless meal. Make a big ‘ol bowl of it with blackened fish and diced mangos. Use it as a base for this roasted bok choy and cauliflower coconut curry bowl. Or just eat it straight from the pot as you curl up in a corner and wonder how you’re ever going to unpack all those boxes…
Update: since writing this post I actually have unpacked all the boxes (!) and paired this recipe with Wicked Spatula’s paleo sesame chicken dish. A-MAZING.
On a side note, don’t ever move 8 months pregnant. Just don’t. Even if you think you are tough and it won’t be that bad. Also, if you’re food blogger make sure you buy a house that has the perfect natural light when you need it most (during toddler nap time). I don’t care how amazing the house is, no perfect light between 12:30-3pm = DO NOT BUY.
I’ll get over the light thing and I know I won’t be pregnant forever. I’m sure I’ll also get over sleeping on an air mattress for a week while we waited for all of our stuff to arrive. Maybe I’ll get over my beloved and now broken Pottery Barn wall sconces. I may get over the site of the floor under the refrigerator that had never been cleaned. But I’ll never get over cauliflower rice. It’s just so dang versatile and such a brilliant, healthy alternative to rice.
Buuuuut plain ‘ol cauliflower rice is not very good (just throwing that out there). Just think of boiled cauliflower – mmmm tasty right?! No. Cauliflower rice needs to be ‘doctored up’ a bit. My usual cauli rice of choice is either this cauliflower fried rice recipe or cauliflower rice with lime juice, cilantro, and a ‘lil himalayan salt. And now coconut ginger cauliflower rice has been added to the cauliflower rice of fame list.
To make this seriously simple, quick, and easy dish, grab a food processor (or choose from one of the four you own) and get to work!
Cut the head of 1/2 large cauliflower into small florets and pulse in a large food processor until the cauliflower is transformed in to small, rice-like pieces. This should yield around 4 cups. Pour the cauliflower rice into a medium pot and add the coconut milk, minced ginger, salt, and scallions. Bring mixture to a simmer for around 10 minutes, until cauliflower is slightly soft and flavors have combined.
Serve immediately or let cool and store in the refrigerator for reheating later!
Coconut Ginger Cauliflower Rice
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 1/2 head of a large cauliflower
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons minced ginger
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cut 1/2 large head of cauliflower into small florets and pulse in a large food processor until the cauliflower is transformed in to small, rice-like pieces. This should yield around 4 cups
- Pour the cauliflower rice into a medium pot and add the coconut milk, minced ginger, salt, and scallions
- Bring mixture to a simmer over medium/high heat for around 10 minutes, until cauliflower is slightly soft and flavors have combined
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator to reheat later
i totallyyyy commend you for moving at this time in your life – OMG. 8 months pregnant!? you (and your hubby) are amazing. i’m going to have to move fairly soon since our landlord is selling, sooo wish me luck. i’ll make sure to make BOWLS of this stuff to keep me energized 😉
Moving sucks whether you’re pregnant or not, so I feel ya girlfriend!! Yes get your cauli stash on NOW!
Caulirice and Asian caulirice is the perfect lazy easy side to whip up 😉 Moving, pregnant, or not, it’s delicious and so simple!
#truth. Which is pretty much everything in life, right?!
Cauliflower is one of my favorite veggies, but I have never tired to make rice with it. I definitely need to change that. This sounds delicious!
Oh yes you must! It’s such a great alternative to rice (and a good way to get in all those veggies – which I know you can appreciate) 😉
I’ve been trying to master the art of cauliflower rice! I’ve gotten it to work in fried rice but I tried a cauliflower risotto that was a flop, haha. I’ll have to try this next!
Hmmmm I’ve never heard of cauliflower risotto! Interesting. If you’ve got the fried rice thing down you can totally master this version too. I’m sure of it 🙂
What lovely flavors to pair with cauliflower rice! I’m a big fan of both coconut and ginger and think this might get made for dinner soon.
I think that’s a really good plan Alisa!
This sounds really yummy! I love the flavor of ginger! 🙂
Mmmm me too!! Pickled ginger is my FAV! Thanks Cara!
After trying cauliflower rice for the first time a few weeks ago – I am now OBSESSED!!! <3
Where have you been living? Under a rock?! Jk girlfriend. Glad you joined the bandwagon 🙂
Ugh, moving while pregnant. It’s hard enough to just move your body, let alone move your household lol. I’ve never tried cauliflower rice (I know, hard to believe), but this sounds really good.
YES, so true!!! My feet at the end of each day were THROBBING just from standing/unpacking for hours on end. Oh you must try cauliflower rice! It takes some getting used to, but once you sub it, it’s tough to go back to regular rice. Thanks Debbie!
Interesting to add the coconut and ginger in there! Looks like a great addition to our meals.
It’s a killer side dish or base for a lot of great dinners. Enjoy Deborah!
love the sound of this coconut and ginger combo!!! sound delish!
If you dig both flavors individually, you can’t go wrong with this combo! Thanks Rachel!
We LOVE cauliflower! And I love how it is so versatile it is. I can even get my picky father to eat it when we make rice from it. 🙂
WOAH you must be a rock star at making it if you can get a picky man to devour cauliflower rice. Bravo! Thanks Julie 🙂
Yum! I haven’t made cauliflower rice in forever! I am so adding this to my list of recipes to make soon!
YAY! I hope you love it Kayla!
This combo sounds so good! Glad you are all unpacked! I couldn’t imagine moving 8 months pregnant, you are a rockstar!
Well it certainly wasn’t by choice! But we all survived. Thanks so much Kelly!
cauliflower rice! i have got to try this. cauliflower is my fav!
You’d love it then!
Love the flavors you used in this cauliflower rice! Moving is hard work, and to do it while 8 months pregnant sounds even harder! I’m sure you’re glad the move is over and that you’re unpacked!
Seriously SO glad it’s over and finally getting settled! Thanks so much Lindsay!
I love me some caulirice!! Such a versatile vegetable
Seriously! I’ve seen desserts with it – haven’t been brave enough to venture that, but maybe someday!
This cauliflower rice looks so delicious! Can’t wait to try it soon!
Thanks girlfriend!
It sounds weird to say, but this rice looks amazing! I seriously want a bowl of it all to myself right now! 🙂
Not weird at all! In fact, I welcome those comments 😉
Oh I just made rice for dinner, first time in a long time, because I was craving sushi that we had umm a few times over the last 3 weeks on vacation and I was craving it. I’ll have to pick up some cauliflower this week and whip this up while getting my “sushi” fix!
Oooo Sarah – love the idea of using cauliflower rice in homemade sushi! I have a sushi roller thing I used ONCE and haven’t made sushi at home since (I suck at it). But now I’m getting inspired!!
What an awesome nutritious side meal! Great flavors!
Thank you Ilka!
I’m not usually a fan of cauliflower but this looks too good not to try at least once! Love the addition of coconut <3
It’s worth a try! It really does take on a great element when used as a side dish or base for Asian-inspired meals! Thanks Giselle 🙂
Congrats on surviving your move!!! Once the dust settles, you’ll be much less stressed 🙂 this rice looks DA BOMB, also!
Seriously so true! We are ALMOST completely settled now. Which is a huge relief. Moving is so much work! Thanks Christina!
Yum! Sounds like a really tasty twist on rice!
Gives that bland ‘ol cauliflower rice some oomph, that’s for sure!
As I toddler mom I can’t help but LOL about the perfect lighting between 1-3, it is SO TRUE ???????? loving this recipe, the flavor combination sounds amazing!
YOU GET IT. YOU GET ME!!! We are instantly friends. Toddlers just bond people 😉
This looks amazing, Chrissa!!!
Thanks so much Annmarie!
Oh boy, moving at 8 months pregnant? Wow Chrissa! You are brave. 🙂 And this rice looks so good. I’ve been wanting to try cauliflower rice.
So many coconut recipes! I’m not a fan of coconut but I’m beginning to think I’m missing out.
My hubby hates coconut too! You could certainly try it with almond milk and ginger? Although I am totally partial to coconut so I can’t guarantee that combo will be as good 😉
Mmm this sounds like a really great alternative to ‘real’ rice. Can’t wait to try it!
This sounds amazing! I love the addition of ginger to it. Perfect for summer!
HAHA! I had to laugh, my new apartment has THE WORST LIGHTING! I’m not a food blogger, but I still have to take pictures of stuff for reviews, and it’s just awful. My old house in Vermont had the perfect lighting, and the perfect back porch for outdoor shots. Blogger problems for sure!
This looks awesome! I have some frozen cauliflower rice so I will have to try this! Sounds delish!
This looks and sounds so yummy, I love anything with ginger in it! I will have to try this recipe soon. Thank you for sharing
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This looks so good! I def need to try this recipe asap!
This sounds soooo good! I love coconut rice.
This recipes makes me feel tropical and would pair perfectly with some chicken and pineapple/veggies kabobs!
Yup yup yup you totally nailed it Cassandra!
I love cauliflower rice, but my recipe is SO boring compared to this! I love the addition of the ginger! yum!
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I’ve been looking for more ginger recipes. Pinning for later. Thank you!
I’ve tried to master cauliflower rice for quite some time. So times it’s edible but most times I make a mess of things. Being that rice is my vice, I really need to get better at making this. The coconut ginger flavor seems divine.
It can be a total win or a total fail! I think there are two keys: 1. pulse JUST until the cauliflower is broken down (only a few pulses/seconds). Otherwise it’s just a clumpy, sloppy mess 2. definitely doctor it up with flavor! It can be so ‘bleh’ just on it’s own. Hope that helps and I hope this recipe is a success for you!
I have been eating a lot of cauliflower rice lately. I love it! And this recipe sounds fabulous!
I love this for a tropical rice substitute. I make a mango chicken that this would go great with!
This sounds and looks delicious! I will be making this this summer for sure. thank you so much for sharing!
I hope you do Elle! Thank YOU for stopping by!
Yum! This is a GREAT combo of flavors, can’t wait to try it!!
Thanks so much Angela! Enjoy 🙂
This looks delish and super healthy!! Such a cool idea!
Thanks Katherine!
My boyfriend’s mom taught me about this cauliflower recipe and I wasn’t paying much attention. Lol I’m just amazed how cauliflower can be made that way as to substitute asian rice (grains and whatnot). Thanks for sharing!
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We won’t tell her you weren’t paying attention 😉 Wink wink. But glad you stuck around for this recipe Lynn!
This looks so amazing.
Thanks Sophia! I hope you give it a try!
I still have yet to make cauliflower rice, but this recipe sounds delicious. I’ve got to take the plunge sometime! Moving while pregnant is not fun at all. We actually moved to my parent’s because our house sold before we found another during my first trimester. Then, we found a house at the end of my pregnancy, and i didn’t even get to move in until a month later because I was on hospital bedrest. No more moving for this girl!
Oh Shann, you did the Whole30 and never made cauliflower rice?! I pretty much live off of it as a filler when I’m doing the challenge! Yes take that plunge. And good call on never moving again – a very welcomed pledge I would gladly take!
Yum, I love Asian inspired dishes! All these flavors sound great! Good luck with all of your unpacking 🙂
Thanks so much Becky! Unpacking is 95% finished – PHEW!
Yum! This looks awesme! Wow i cant imagine having to move 8 months pregnant…you are wonder women!
Ha no. Just a woman that has to do what she has to do!
I really need to buy a food processor and this may just give me a reason 😉 It sounds amazing!
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I’d give you one of my four buuuuuut I’m kind of emotionally attached to them 😉 LOL! Thanks Chelsea!
This looks super delicious Chrissa! I can only imagine how hard it was to move being 8 months pregnant, but you did it! I need to get o the cauliflower rice bandwagon because I haven’t tried it yet, love the coconut and ginger flavor it has. I don’t have a food processor, does it work with a blender?
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Hey Ros! Long time no talk friend! Get ON that cauli bandwagon girl! Yes you could make cauliflower rice in a blender – it just may take a little longer since the blade may only attack the bottom layer of cauliflower. But still totally do-able. Just maybe try it in smaller batches so you get even consistency for your ‘rice’. Does that make sense?
This sounds so good! Coconut and ginger are two of my favorite things! ;] I actually have all the ingredients for this except for the scallions, but…no matter. I’m sure it’ll still be super tasty! Can’t wait to make it! :]
The main stars are of course the ginger and coconut milk, so if you don’t have the scallions I’m sure it will still be nummy. Thanks Farrah!
I never expected to find anyone else with 4 food processors! <3 I prep my cauli rice in the biggest one with the grater attachment – it takes longer but I can't overprocess:)
This looks delicious! Saving!
Oh I LOVE that idea Matthea. Thanks for the tip – TOTALLY trying that method!
I love this recipe, except I need a little help: I use frozen cauliflower rice and I’ve made this twice-both times it ends up more like mashed potato consistency then the rice consistency. The first time I dumped everything in the pan as per the directions (cauli was still frozen). Second time, I tried to cook the frozen cauliflower in the pan by itself and then adding everything else and I still got mush. Its quite tasty mush, but not what I am looking for lol. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Question – are you making the cauliflower rice yourself or buying it? I wonder if it’s pulsed down into too small chunks??