Cauliflower Rice with Fresh Peas and Cumin
Cauliflower. It isn’t a word that makes your heart skip a beat, or makes you start to salivate. But it is a work horse that can don many coats. I have used it as a pizza crust, a base for “stir-fry”, roasted it, made cauliflower steaks in the dehydrator and even made raw mashed “potatoes” with it. I love cauliflower for it’s diversity. You will love it with peas and cumin in this easy, raw recipe that will remind you that spring is right around the corner.
Did you know that cauliflower has wonderful health benefits? It is a cruciferous vegetable, a member of the powerhouse team. It is considered to be a cancer preventer, and Cauliflower also has phytonutrients that can help activate detoxification enzymes and regulate their activity. Can’t beat that! Cauliflower is a good source of Vitamin C and Manganese, and it’s levels of vitamin K make it an inflammatory fighter, too.
With many parts of the country still being savaged by winter, I wanted to bring you a recipe that will remind you that spring isn’t too far away. Cauliflower and fresh peas go beautifully together. When you top everything off with a lemon and cumin dressing, it all comes alive! Give this one a whirl. I know you won’t be disappointed.
Cauliflower Rice with Fresh Peas and Cumin
Serves 4
- 1 medium head cauliflower
- 1 cup fresh peas
- 4 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- zest from 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 1 tablespoon chili flakes (optional)
- pinch Himalayan salt and pepper
- Cut the cauliflower florets from the stem. Pulse in food processor until the cauliflower is the size of pieces of rice.
- Stir in peas and scallions.
- Whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, cumin, maple syrup, and ginger. Pour over cauliflower mixture and stir to combine.
- Top with pine nuts and chili flakes. Salt and pepper to taste.
Laura Black wrote on March 5, 2014
Hey Susan! This recipe looks wonderful. I’ve used cauliflower before in a “non-traditional” sense making grilled cauliflower sandwiches from the “Fit for Life” book by the Diamonds. I love the idea of using cauliflower to replace rice. Brilliant. It looks mighty tasty. Also, good luck with your food blog award. I submitted my entry on your behalf. 🙂
bymihaela wrote on March 4, 2014
Done! I nominated your wonderful website!
Ursula wrote on March 4, 2014
Susan a big THANK YOU for all your delicious recipes and the great pics. Can’t get enough of them. And additionally your suggestions are healthy and contribute to feeling well. Many thanks again from Switzerland. I appreciate every single mail – for me they are just perfect.
Annette wrote on March 3, 2014
I Just voted!
I’ve been wanting to try a cauliflower raw dishes I’ve only made a Raw Popcorn with the Cauli this looks delicious.
Best hope you win.
Christine wrote on March 1, 2014
I am really confused when fresh peas end up in raw food recipes. Trader Joe’s sells fresh shelled peas and they are hard as a rock. How then do you eat them? Are there different kinds of peas? And do you use them in this recipe? Confused…
Marta@What should I eat for breakfast today wrote on March 1, 2014
It sounds so healthy and yummy.
Emma wrote on March 1, 2014
This looks gorgeous. I love how simple and spring-like the recipe is!
Fresh peas are delicious.
Lois wrote on March 1, 2014
I love both cauliflower and fresh peas, unfortunately we don’t have fresh peas available in Calgary, Alberta. Currently our temperature is -28C with a windchill making it -40C. I am looking forward to trying the recipe it looks very good and easy to make.
Julie @ The Simple Veganista wrote on March 1, 2014
I love fresh peas and have yet to try cauliflower rice. This recipe looks like something I must try very soon! Just delicious 🙂