A recipe from The Bitten Word
The Paleo diet continues to be a consistent topic of conversation among our friends.
Who's doing it. Who's cheating on it. Who's tired of doing it. Who's thinking of thinking of doing it. Who really needs a chocolate chip cookie right now.
You know, that kind of discussion.
We've discussed the diet with you once before, after we hosted a Paleo dinner last year and lots of you chimed in with your opinions, many in support of the diet and how it had worked for you.
We are not on the Paleo diet. However, we frequently eat that way when cooking at home, with meals that would largely qualify as "Paleo" (lean proteins, simply prepared vegetables, no grains). We've learned a lot about Paleo from our friends Drew and Ralph, who not only did sober January, they also went strictly Paleo at the same time, the diet equivalent of pulling the sugar-fat-salt-bourbon rug out from underneath oneself.
At their restaurant, Beau Thai, there was even a Paleo menu for the first part of the year. We ate and loved lots of things on that menu, but we were especially smitten with a new concept they introduced us to this year -- Cauliflower "Rice" -- which they had learned about from the website Nom Nom Paleo (who didn't invent the dish, but definitely helped popularize it).
The idea is simple but genius: Chop cauliflower finely, the same size as rice, and stir-fry it until lightly browned. Like rice without the carbohydrate content, it makes for an amazing, tasty little side dish. We especially love serving Cauliflower "Rice" with fish -- next to a filet of roasted salmon.
Though this sounds like something that a person on a diet would say to make themselves feel better, we'll go ahead and say it anyhow: We actually prefer this cauliflower "rice" to the real thing.
Try it and let us know if you agree.
CAULIFLOWER RICE
A recipe by The Bitten Word, inspired by Beau Thai DC.
Note from Zach and Clay:
Like plain white rice, this dish takes on the flavor of whatever spices or sauces you add to it. Feel free to add heat (red pepper flakes, cayenne, sriracha) or flavor (cumin, coriander, paprika) to your liking. We call for liquid aminos or soy sauce in this recipe -- aminos are "Paleo," but soy sauce is not, if you're looking for a strict Paleo experience.
Ingredients
1 large onion, diced
1 medium to large head of cauliflower, chopped small enough to fit in the tube of a food processor
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon liquid aminos or soy sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Using the feed tube and shredding disc of a food processor, feed the cauliflower down the tube. It will be the consistency of small grains of rice.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook, allowing the onions to brown slightly, 8 to 10 minutes.
Increase heat to high. Add the cauliflower, and stir frequently, until the cauliflower just begins to brown. Add the aminos or soy sauce and stir to incorporate. Remove from heat and toss in other spices or herbs you prefer. Season with salt and pepper to taste.