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Fruity Cauliflower Rice

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Transitioning from winter to spring with this Fruity Cauliflower Rice is perfect to end the season and begin anew. Gluten and grain free, vegan, and paleo, this sweet colorful “rice” is a perfect healthy side dish for any weeknight dinner. 

I adore cauliflower and pomegranate and kiwi and coconut….okay, well I adore A LOT of foods 😉 With each season, there are different gems that are at their peak and should be eaten as much as possible. Now that winter is coming to a much needed close, there is still a bit more time to jam in the perfect winter produce while we can! But we can also lighten things up with the coming of spring with sweet pretty flavors and colors!

Fruity Cauliflower Rice | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 #sidedish #glutenfree #vegan #paleo #grainfree #soyfree #cauliflower

So to utilize the flavors of this awkward transition between seasons, why not combine winter produce and spring flare? Well, I did just that and might I say this transition just got a lot easier 😉 Good-bye winter, hello spring, this foodie is so ready! One thing I am sad about is that I never got to have a blood orange 🙁 The few times I did see them, they we horrendous. I did however, utilize the pomegranate a lot more this year than I normally do. Love those beautiful little jewels!

Fruity Cauliflower Rice | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 #sidedish #glutenfree #vegan #paleo #grainfree #soyfree #cauliflower

When I made this “rice”, I had a random assortment of produce: a beautiful head of green cauliflower (from Frieda’s!) that needed to be used, a pomegranate, and some random kiwis. I also had some more of my favorite coconut milk in the pantry. I’ve only ever made savory cauli-rices, but since I’m me, I’m all for trying weird new things (and color combos). Combining all these random ingredients for a sweet side dish was the plan!

Fruity Cauliflower Rice | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 #sidedish #glutenfree #vegan #paleo #grainfree #soyfree #cauliflower

 I didn’t realize it until now, but this is also pretty fitting for St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow. The day all about the green! If you already have some heavier based foods planned like corned beef, soda bread, and potatoes, this was be the perfect sweet and light dish to bring to the table as well!

Fruity Cauliflower Rice | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 #sidedish #glutenfree #vegan #paleo #grainfree #soyfree #cauliflower

Speaking of, what’s on the menu for St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow? Does your family celebrate with a feast? I remember one of my first St. Patrick’s Day’s being gluten-free, I made some soda bread. It looked perfect coming out of the oven, but I made the “mound” to round and deep and the middle was gooey and uncooked :/ Major fail. I was going to try my hand at creating one this past week, but time slipped away and that was a fail too. Next year, I promise 😉

Fruity Cauliflower Rice | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 #sidedish #glutenfree #vegan #paleo #grainfree #soyfree #cauliflower

This year, I’m back at school so there won’t be any special meals (or soda bread…), but I’ll think of something! If only I had more green cauliflower. I would so make some of this “rice”! Actually, I’d need a pomegranate and come coconut milk too. I have the kiwis and the coconut flakes, but that’s it. I guess I’ll just have to eat a bunch of salad greens, zucchini, and snow peas! I have all those!

Fruity Cauliflower Rice

Fruity Cauliflower Rice | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 #sidedish #glutenfree #vegan #paleo #grainfree #soyfree #cauliflower

Ingredients: (serves 4)

+ 1 Large Head of Green Cauliflower

+ 1/3 Cup Lite Culinary Coconut Milk

+ 3/4 Cup Pomegranate Arils

+ 3 Small Kiwis (about 3/4 Cup sliced and halved)

+ 2 TB Unsweetened Shredded Coconut

Directions:

+ In a food processor, “rice” the cauliflower by breaking it into smaller florets and processing as needed in batches until you get a rice consistency.

+ On the stove, heat the riced cauliflower, uncovered, in a pan for 5 minutes with the coconut milk over medium heat. Once heated, remove the pan from heat.

+ Next, add in the pomegranate, kiwis which are skinned, sliced, then halved, and the unsweetened shredded coconut. Stir to combine.

+ Refrigerate overnight (or at least a few hours to chill) to let the flavors meld together. Serve cold with additional shredded coconut….too look pretty 😉

Fruity Cauliflower Rice | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 #sidedish #glutenfree #vegan #paleo #grainfree #soyfree #cauliflower

Yummy, yummy, fruity, and lovely! This dish really fits the bill! The perfect transition between seasons, green for St. Patrick’s Day, and light and fresh to give the body some lovin’! But if for some reason you can’t find a green cauliflower, don’t worry! Just use a normal white one! You can still get a pop of green from the kiwis 😉

So tell me:

+ Are you Irish? Yes, my grandma is fully Irish, so I should probably wear green or something tomorrow :/ As I’m typing this, I just got a brilliant idea….IRISH SODA BREAD PANCAKES!!!! (I will be trying that this weekend…stay tuned!)

+ What’s your favorite green foods? I think my top two are Sugar Snap Peas and Zucchini!

*Recipe linking up for the week! Allergy Free Wednesdays, #RecipeFridays, #RecipeOfTheWeek, #StrangeButGood, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Real Food Friday, Gluten-Free Fridays, Tasty Tuesdays, Savoring Saturdays, Healthy Vegan Fridays, Real Food Recipe Roundup, Tasty Tuesdays, Meatless Mondays, Lena’s Tasty Tuesdays!*

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Comments

  4. Sherry says

    This dish really looks great! I think I would really like this, and I’m going to try it. Thanks for linking up and sharing with us at Funtastic Friday. Hope you join us again this week.

    Reply

  6. kimmythevegan says

    I haven’t been a fan of the cauliflower rice I’ve tried so far, but having it as a sweet instead of savoury and cooking it in coconut milk sounds super delicious. And a sneaky way to get veggies in at breakfast ;p
    Thanks for sharing this over at Healthy Vegan Fridays! I’ve pinned it to the Pinterest page =)

    Reply

  7. vegetarianmamma (Cindy) says

    You have the coolest recipes! Thanks so much for linking up, I look forward to what you post next time!

    -Cindy

    Reply

  9. Shirley Wood says

    Interesting combination of flavors and so pretty too! I’m glad you shared this with us at Merry Monday. Pinning right now because I am looking for new ideas with cauliflower.

    Reply

  10. Deborah Davis says

    Hi Rebecca,
    I love the surprising inclusion of sweet flavors. This is such a creative dish! Thank you for sharing this healthy and delicious Dairy Free Coffee Creamer recipe with us at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop! I’m pinning and sharing!

    Reply

  11. FABBY says

    I’m loving this recipe. I too eat healthy and love low fat and low on carbs as well.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Have a nice week.

    FABBY

    Reply

  12. Miz Helen says

    We will just love your Fruity Cauliflower Rice,it looks fabulous! Your post is awesome and thank you so much for sharing it with Full Plate Thursday.
    Happy Spring!
    Miz Helen

    Reply

  14. Marla says

    Hi Rebecca,
    I agree – Goodbye Winter – Ohello and Welcome Spring. Love this recipe and I love cabbage and pomegranates. It looks so tasty. I am saving this one to try. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & Twitted.

    Reply

  15. CJ Huang says

    Your cauli-rice looks great. I think it’d make a nice dish around Christmas too! I hope you can stop on by and share this or any other recipe with us on Five Friday Finds!

    CJ
    morselsoflife.com

    Reply

  18. RFC says

    I’ve been experimenting with cauliflower a lot lately, but I’ve never thought of making a “rice” out of it. (We are huge fans of buffalo cauliflower “wings” over here!) I’ll have to give it a try!

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      I’m shocked you’ve never made cauli-rice! It’s all over the blog world! Do it! It’s so yummy!

      Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      I LOVE all the colored cauliflower! Haha! Like purple 😉 Just makes the veggie even more fun!
      You too! XOXO

      Reply

  23. Audrey @ Unconventional Baker says

    Whoops. looks like the rest of my comment got cut off… Let’s try again 🙂

    I was saying that blood oranges are awesome and you must find some quick before the season ends! They’re so good. If you think you’re a sweet potato snob, just wait till you try these — you’ll be so sad to go back to regular ‘ol oranges again.

    And the salad looks lovely — love the colorful specs in there –> looks like happy food 🙂

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      O no, I’ve had tons of blood oranges in my life, haha! Just not this season (I blame it on the fact that I’m stuck here in college with no access!)
      It is happy food!

      Reply

  26. Alexis@FItnancials says

    I love all of these new cauliflower recipes that are coming out. I never even thought about using vegetables for other uses like this when I was younger. I love the idea of using zucchini for lasagna styled noodles!

    Reply

  30. Tatum says

    This looks too pretty to eat!…but I think I could manage to 😉

    And yes I am Irish and my green foods are my favorite foods…green vegetables!! The best!

    xo,
    Tatum

    Reply

  32. genevieve @ gratitude & greens says

    I would have never thought to use cauliflower in a sweet dish- love all the fruit in this! So perfect for spring and summer. Bring on the sunshine and fruit!! Fave green foods are way too hard to pick! I love avocados, kale, zucchinis, spinach, Asian veggies… the list goes on 😀

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      Fruit is just the gem of the warm weather!
      I know….there are just to many wonderful green foods!

      Reply

  33. Mandy says

    Any tips for “ricing” cauliflower without a food processer? Is it even possible? I have a blender, but no processor. 🙁

    Reply

  37. Evolve with Mary says

    I’ve been devouring cauliflower fried rice for the last 8 months, it’s my go to recipe when I need a rice fix and not willing to waste those calories. I’ll have to try this fruity cauliflower rice recipe out next.

    Reply

  40. Marisa | Marisa Moore Nutrition says

    Sounds really good. I still haven’t tried making cauliflower “rice” but this looks like an easy enough place to start. And let’s see… my favorite green vegetable? It’s okra in the summer. But broccoli and cabbage are my year round favorites.

    Reply

  47. Michele @ paleorunningmomma says

    This looks so delicious and flavorful, I love the idea of the fruit! I don’t know if I can pick a favorite green food! Spinach is a huge one, I love it so many ways, also kale and collards, avocado, green onions, the list goes on 🙂

    Reply

  50. Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit says

    There is a really unique combo of flavors going on on that plate! I love starting off Monday with a fruity recipe bang!! Everytime I’ve made cauliflower rice I’ve eaten it raw, but cooking it for a little bit in the coconut milk sounds much better. Then it’s not quite as crunchy and cruciferous, more like rice pudding 😀

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      Yea! I always heat my cauli-rice a bit! I like it a bit softer and it helps with the flavors for sure!

      Reply

  53. Min says

    Such a pretty and inviting dish! I really need to make cauliflower rice. I’ve only made it once. No, I don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s. Being Korean, I had visions of my family celebrating all things green – haha it’s a funny picture 😉 My favorite green foods? gosh there are sooo many! sugar snap peas are def on my list. Spinach, avocado, asparagus…

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      Thank you! I still don’t make cauli-rice enough either! Haha! But I LOVE it when I do!
      O! I forgot avocado! Ah! So good!

      Reply

  54. Tina Muir says

    Interesting combo Rebecca, but those are often the best meals, when you just try throwing things together….and it works! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂 And for joining us for meatless monday!

    Reply

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Meet Rebecca

Hey there, welcome to Strength and Sunshine! I’m Rebecca and I’m so glad you’re here! This is your go-to destination for delicious, fun, and (mostly) healthy gluten-free and allergy-free recipes, tips & tricks, advice, as well as celiac and food allergy coaching services!

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