Strength and Sunshine

Where Gluten-Free & Allergy-Friendly Food Is Healthy & Delicious

Tomato Basil Cauliflower Rice

by 93 Comments

Wow, happy October 1st! It’s Halloween season already!? I’d rather not think about that (nightmares of scary never-ending winters are happening full force!). But that just means I am one month closer to winter break and going home! Plus, I mean, Fall isn’t horrible (yes it is), but there are a few small redeeming qualities. You know I love scarves, pumpkin, fall produce (apples!), hot drinks, big sweaters and comfy sweats. I also like pretending in my mind that I do fun fall activities like apple-picking, bonfires, enjoying the colors of nature, snuggling up by the fire, festivals, races, etc. But really, no, I never do any of that. Sad life 😛

I’m also going to not share the fall fun with a fall recipe today. No pumpkin, apples, squash, comfy soups. (Side note: I actually am not a fan of apple recipes. Why kill an apple, a beautiful apple, and ruin the beauty that is eating a whole, crisp, sweet, juicy apple. That first bite! O like nothing else…I digress). Instead I am going to share a recipe I have been craving! But it also is one that makes me sad, reminiscent. It was the last new recipe I made before I left home 🙁 I even ate the leftovers the night before I left. So it’s beautiful and sad at the same time, but the goodness outweighs everything else!

Tomato Basil Cauliflower Rice | Strength and Sunshine #lowcard #glutenfree #paleo #vegan

Fake “carb” dishes have been booming all over the place lately! With the rise of paleo and such, people are testing out crazy things. Crazy things that just happen to be absolutely delectable (like beet or zucchini noodles)! I have always been intrigued by cauliflower rice, but have been hesitant to make it since my tummy is sensitive to the cruciferous veggies. But I finally said screw it, and bite the bullet.

Tomato Basil Cauliflower Rice | Strength and Sunshine #lowcard #glutenfree #paleo #vegan

And I am so glad I did! This stuff was out of this world! Who knew cauliflower could make my favorite kind of “rice” 😉 I would pick this over the actual grain any day! Maybe it is how I seasoned and cooked it up, but this doesn’t even taste like cauliflower. It just tastes like sweet tomato basil rice goodness!

Tomato Basil Cauliflower Rice | Strength and Sunshine #lowcard #glutenfree #paleo #vegan

I had an opened jar of my beloved tomato paste and needed to use that up too before I left. I had thought about using actually tomato sauce, but I am so glad I went with the paste like I usually do. The flavor is so much stronger and sweeter. It coated the “rice” perfectly instead of making it “swim” in sauce.

Tomato Basil Cauliflower Rice | Strength and Sunshine #lowcard #glutenfree #paleo #vegan

This yummy side dish is full of Italian herbs and spices too! We’ve got basil of course, marjoram, and oregano. Onion, garlic, pepper. All of that makes the best low-carb, paleo, gluten-free, vegan, super-healthy dish that will satisfy and fulfill your Italian comfort food craving. (Really it will!)

Tomato Basil Cauliflower Rice

Tomato Basil Cauliflower Rice | Strength and Sunshine #lowcard #glutenfree #paleo #vegan

Ingredients: (serves 4)

+ 1 Large Head of Cauliflower

+ 1 Tsp Dried Oregano

+ 1 1/2 Tsp Dried Basil

+ 1/2 Tsp Marjoram

+ 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder

+ 1/2 Tsp Chopped Garlic

+ 1/8 Tsp Black Pepper

+ 1/4 Cup Salt-Free Tomato Paste

+ Dried Parsley for Garnish

Directions:

+ Cut Cauliflower into small florets. Place in a food processor and process until “riced”. Depending on the size of your processor you’ll probably have to do this is batches like I did.

+ In a large saute pan, add the cauliflower and the rest of the ingredients. Saute, covered, for about 5-8 minutes on medium high heat. Remove and serve! (Quick and easy, right?)

Tomato Basil Cauliflower Rice | Strength and Sunshine #lowcarb #glutenfree #paleo #vegan

When you need some rice in your life, but you only have a lonely cauliflower…now you have a solution 😉 You’ll be surprised by how good this tastes! I promise it is so worth it! And a bonus, it tastes like pure gold eaten cold the next day. I think it tastes even better this way! Topped with raw cashews and it was the perfect mid-day snack for me.

So tell me:

+ Have you tried cauliflower rice?

+ Random: Broccoli or Cauliflower? For me, I love them both best eating wise is steamed broccoli and raw cauliflower.

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

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Comments

  1. kimmythevegan says

    “I actually am not a fan of apple recipes. Why kill an apple, a beautiful apple, and ruin the beauty that is eating a whole, crisp, sweet, juicy apple. That first bite! O like nothing else…I digress”

    Agreed! I’m not a huge fall fan actually. The only things I really like about it are squash (YUM!) and Hallowe’en ;p
    This dish sounds good! I have not made cauliflower rice yet, I keep seeing it, but hasn’t made it’s way to my list yet. This sounds very good – I like the sound of your seasonings (and am a tomato paste fan myself).
    If you have a bit of a hard time digesting veggies like this, try steaming them first. That’s what I do, it really helps break it down and makes your tummy a happy one =)

    Reply

  2. Katerina says

    I used to hate cauliflower, now I love it! Thanks for coming and linking up at The Weekend Social. All posts get pinned in our pinterest board! Please be sure to come back next week starting Thursdays at 9PM EST on culinaryflavors.gr ! I hope to see you there!

    Reply

  6. Raia says

    Sooo… basically a paleo Spanish rice? 🙂 Sounds yummy! Thanks for sharing it at Savoring Saturdays! So glad to see all the recipes you link up. 🙂

    Reply

  7. Adelina Priddis says

    I have been itching to try the cauliflower rice, and your recipe is just even more tantalizing! Good thing I just bought a head of the veggie too. Thanks for sharing on Weekend Bites

    Reply

  8. Deborah Davis says

    Hi Rebecca,
    What a creative and delectable dish! I am looking forward to trying this. Thank you so much for sharing this healthy and delicious tomato basil cauliflower rice recipe at the Plant-Based Potluck Party Blog Hop!

    Reply

  9. Honest mum says

    Never tried this but as a low-carber, I want to! I did have cauliflower soup tonight with Stilton! I want to make a cauliflower pizza base soon too! This looks delicious! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays

    Reply

  11. Marla says

    HI Rebecca,
    Such a healthy nutritious recipes that sounds tasty and hearth warming on a cool Fall day. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Twitted & pinned.

    Reply

  14. Deborah Davis says

    Hi Rebecca,
    I just hopped by from Healthy Vegan Fridays. This light and luscious dish is a nice departure from my usual brown rice with veggies. This is a must-try for me!

    Reply

  16. Cat says

    I literally went through a head of cauliflower in 2 days last week by making cauli rice! It was kind of cauli mash when I was done with it, and after I doused it in a load of butter and herbs… oh my YUM. I love the idea of adding tomato to it and trying other ways of flavouring it – I bet a pesto version would be AMAZING!

    Reply

  18. Sophie at Franglaise Cooking says

    This looks and sounds amazing, but I’m always curious with these fake “carb” dishes, do they actually fill you up as obviously they are vegetables and not carbs, I’m always worried I’ll eat them and be hungry later…..But I’m still going to pin this recipe and try it out! Thanks for sharing.
    #Recipeoftheweek

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      Fiber fills you up, not carbs! Plus this is a side dish, haha! I would never just eat this as my main dinner!

      Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      Haha, it is not messy at all! Seriously this was one of the easiest and quickest things ever! (I was surprised!)

      Reply

  24. genevieve @ gratitude & greens says

    Love that this recipe is so easy! I’ve only had cauliflower rice once but really liked it. I’m the exact opposite of you: I love fall! I’m a sucker for all things fall and can’t help but love everything pumpkin, apple, or squash related. I also love sweater weather 😛

    Reply

  28. Emma @em-poweredwellness says

    I love cauliflower rice! I make a cilantro-lime version for Mexican dishes, but this sounds delicious. I agree with you on fall…I love scarves, pumpkin, and the smell of fall air, but it makes me sad that the long, warm days of summer are coming to an end.

    Reply

  30. Sam @ PancakeWarriors says

    Hi from WIAW! Love this! Cauliflower rice is so good and will take on almost any flavor! I adore roasted broccoli and cauliflower – that has to be my favorite way to eat both of those veggies! I love the use of tomato paste here – I agree it’s so much sweeter and you don’t have to worry about watering down such a delicate dish! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      Eh these are two veggies I DON’T like roasted, haha!
      But yea, tomato paste is my favorite!

      Reply

  35. Lean Lena says

    Hi Rebecca! Thanks so much for linking up with the Tasty Tuesday party!
    I haven’t yet tried the cauliflower rice, so I’m pinning your recipe to our Tasty Tuesday Pinterest Board for later :)
    Thanks again for stopping by and sharing this beautiful recipe!

    Reply

  39. Jennifer F says

    My fav way to eat califlower is just roasted in the oven — I thought you had to do it with a potato ricer so it’s good to know it can be done with the food processor

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      I thought it would be terrible too, but really with the tomato and herbs….it is heaven on a plate!

      Reply

  41. Jen says

    I haven’t tried cauliflower rice yet but it’s on my short list of things to do. I eat a plant based diet and I’m always looking for great, healthy and nutritious recipes like this one. Thank you for sharing – pinned for future reference!

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      You definitely want to try cauli-rice then! Its such a fun and creative dish to make 🙂

      Reply

  44. Tina Muir says

    This looks great Rebecca! The one time I made cauliflower rice, I was really not impressed, but I think I didnt use the right flavors with it. Yours sounds great! Thanks for linking up 🙂

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      Try it again! Really I was so surprised by how good it tasted! I went in with low expectations, but I was blown-away, haha!

      Reply

  45. Becca from ItsYummi.com says

    I’ve had cauliflower rice on my to-make list for at least a year now. I can’t believe I still haven’t had it. I think it’s partly because I’m a tad lazy and it looks like a tedious process to process all of the cauliflower. Just need to get off of my duff and do it 🙂

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      That was my same thinking and why it took me so long too! But it is actually super easy! Less then 5 minutes!

      Reply

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rebecca

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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