Cauliflower has become the latest craze for health fanatics. People are substituting cauliflower for all kinds of dishes, including mashed potatoes, wings, and rice. Cauliflower rice has earned itself quite a reputation because of its low carb count compared to normal white rice. If you’ve never tried cauliflower rice, you may be a little apprehensive to make substitutions anytime soon. Let’s continue with what does cauliflower rice taste like.
The biggest concern surrounding cauliflower rice is the taste. Cauliflower by itself generally does not have a strong taste, and the texture is similar to broccoli. This leads to people wondering if cauliflower rice will end up with the same type of texture as the vegetable version, which would not be very appealing in rice form. So, what does cauliflower rice taste like? Should you go ahead and try it? The answer is yes. Not only should you give cauliflower rice a shot, you may also find yourself preferring the taste.
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Does Cauliflower Rice Taste Good?
If you’ve tried normal white or brown rice, you will be familiar with the bland taste. Cauliflower rice is the same in the sense that the flavor by itself is nothing special. However, the largest perk of cauliflower rice is its ability to soak up and absorb whatever flavor you are cooking it with. This means that your cauliflower rice will not taste like cauliflower. Instead, it will become saturated with your favorite spices or food mixtures.
With that being said, if you are someone who does enjoy the taste of cauliflower, there is nothing saying you can’t eat cauliflower rice plain. The rice by itself will usually taste like cauliflower, while also having a hint of a “nutty” flavor. The texture of cauliflower rice tends to be slightly chewier than normal white or brown rice. If cauliflower rice is overcooked, it may become mushy and develop a slight sulphury taste. When you are making cauliflower rice, make sure the rice does not start to become squishy. If it does, you are overcooking it.
How Do You Make Cauliflower Rice?
Although you can buy frozen or refrigerated cauliflower rice, I prefer the taste of homemade cauliflower rice. Subsequently, prepackaged cauliflower rice is usually more expensive, and the only difference is that it has already been granted for you. Frozen or refrigerated cauliflower rice is also more likely to develop a soggy texture, which for me is a deal-breaker. Surprisingly, homemade cauliflower rice is much easier on the budget and relatively simple to prepare!
- Start off by choosing a large head of cauliflower. Wash the cauliflower under a stream of water for several seconds to remove any leftover dirt or grime.
- Break the cauliflower into smaller sections. You can choose to either grate the cauliflower pieces on a box grater over medium-sized holes, or you can choose to use a food processor. Food processors tend to be more convenient. Make sure if you use a food processor that you insert the grater blade.
- After the cauliflower has been grated or processed into rice-size pieces, transfer it to a plate lined with a paper towel or dishtowel. Lightly press the towel against the rice to remove any moisture. This is imperative in order to ensure that you do not end up with soggy cauliflower rice.
- Pour a drizzle of olive oil into a large skillet and place it over medium heat.
- Once the oil has become slightly heated, add the cauliflower rice into the skillet. Then, cover the skillet with a lid. This will allow the cauliflower rice to become steam.
- Set the timer for 6 to 8 minutes. During that time, make sure you occasionally stir the rice.
- Once the rice has finished cooking, season it to taste. I usually always add salt and pepper, along with spices such as onion spice or garlic powder.
Can You Freeze Cauliflower Rice?
Typically, cauliflower rice can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Unfortunately, we can’t always get around to eating cauliflower rice in time before it goes bad. This led me to wonder about freezing cauliflower rice. The first time I tried freezing cauliflower rice, I was nervous that the rice would become frozen and solidified mess. However, to my surprise, that was not the case at all. Cauliflower rice can easily be stored in the freezer for 1 month. The key to freezing cauliflower rice is not freezing it after it has been cooked. All you need to do is remove the moisture from the grated or processed cauliflower rice, and then place it in an airtight container.
Why is Everyone Obsessed with Cauliflower Rice?
People are making the switch from normal white rice to cauliflower rice because of the obvious health benefits. For example, cauliflower rice is a low-calorie and carb food. This makes it perfect for anyone who is trying to cut back on their daily carb intake. Moreover, cauliflower rice is actually filling. You won’t be hungry anymore after eating a serving of cauliflower rice. So, if you are someone who finds themselves reaching for the snack drawer immediately after eating dinner, you may want to give cauliflower rice a chance!
Conclusion
If you are someone who is trying to cut back on their carb consumption, you should definitely consider adding cauliflower rice to your diet. Even if you do not enjoy the taste of raw cauliflower, that does not mean you won’t like cauliflower rice. Cauliflower rice absorbs the tastes of the food it is cooked with. Try adding your favorite vegetables or seasoning to the rice, it will make a world of difference!
The most important part in determining the taste of cauliflower rice is the cooking time. Too short of a time will leave you with firm rice, but too much time will create a soggy mess. For me, 6 minutes is the perfect cooking time for fresh cauliflower rice. If you are preparing prepackaged cauliflower rice, it may require more or less time. I always recommend cutting a minute or two off of the suggested cooking time. You can always add more time later!
