October 18, 2017

Spicy Thai Cauliflower Fried Rice: A Healthy Alternative to Take-out

Name: Spicy Thai Cauliflower Fried Rice
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 head cauliflower; 2 tbsp sesame oil or coconut oil; 2 shallots (chopped); 1/4 cup chili garlic sauce; 1 red pepper, sliced (optional)

Spicy Thai Cauliflower Fried Rice: A Healthy Alternative to Take-out

This Spicy Thai Cauliflower Fried Rice tastes just like your favourite take-out but without the carbs!

What’s Wrong With Regular Fried Rice?

When I had borderline gestational diabetes during my pregnancy, I had to check my blood sugar after every meal and if it got too high I had to go for a walk or go up and down the stairs to get it back down again. The highest it ever got was when we ordered take-in at work one day from our favourite Thai place. I got Thai Fried Rice, which was so delicious but so blood-sugar-spiking. I remember being 8 months along, and pretty huge, going up and down the stairs like a crazy person. This recipe tastes almost as good as that take out and no stairs workouts required!!

How to Make Delicious, Nutty Cauliflower

Who doesn’t love cauliflower??! When I first started dating Scott, he told me that he hated cauliflower so much that it makes him gag and he never touches it. If that were true, it might have been a deal-breaker, but luckily what he meant was that he hated BOILED cauliflower. That I could work with. I never boil my cauliflower.

I think that cauliflower begs to be roasted in a hot oven to bring out the nutty flavour. Or… grated in the food processor and turned into a low-carb alternative to rice! I’m sure you have all gotten on the cauliflower rice bandwagon by now, right? (If not, do you live under a rock?) It has the same texture as rice without the nasty blood sugar spiking that causes diabetes, weight gain and screws up your hormones. What’s not to love!

Spicy Thai Cauliflower Fried Rice Magic Ingredient: Chili Garlic Sauce

Chili garlic sauce is spicy and delicious. I use it in stir-fries and splash it on kebabs before they go on the grill. And I never make Spicy Thai Cauliflower Fried Rice without it!

I use Huy Fong brand chili garlic sauce, which is delicious. (It is the same brand that makes Sriracha sauce- with the rooster on the bottle.) It is a very close match for the take-out I used to love so much. And the ingredients are pretty harmless. Be careful if you use another brand- some have tons of sugar in them.

If you are in the mood, you can make your own homemade chili garlic sauce- it is just chili peppers, garlic and vinegar.

Spicy Thai Cauliflower Rice in Red Pepper Shells

Fun Facts About Cauliflower

Cauliflower contains sulforaphane, a compound that attacks cancer cells and slows the growth of tumors.
Cauliflower naturally has a genetic mutation that makes its flower large and edible, instead of beautiful.
In addition to white, it comes in green, orange and purple. Fun!

Spicy Thai Cauliflower Rice: Recipe Tips and Variations

The best thing about this cauliflower fried rice recipe is that it is very versatile. You can add whatever you like! I sometimes add snow peas, regular peas, green onion, shredded carrots, broccoli, corn or red pepper. I also love adding leftover chicken and making a meal out of it.

If you are serving this Spicy Thai Cauliflower Rice for guests, you can serve it in red pepper halves for a cute presentation.

Please Comment Below!

Let me know if you try this recipe and how you liked it. Do you have a favourite cauliflower rice recipe? What else do you use chili garlic sauce for? (Isn’t it good!?!) What is another easy weeknight go-to meal your family loves? I’d love to hear from you!

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