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Healthy Eats (plus a few treats)

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Jeweled Cauliflower Rice (Whole30 + Paleo)

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If you’ve never had Persian or Iranian jeweled rice, you’re in for a treat! This delicious side dish is aromatic, fruity, and truly beautiful due to the addition of nuts, berries, orange zest, saffron and spices. It’s traditionally served at weddings or large celebrations on big platters.

Jeweled Cauliflower Rice (Whole30 + Paleo) | Fridge to Fork

While on the Whole30, I was looking for some fun dishes that would keep me motivated and excited about the diet. While I’m envious of my friends who can eat roasted broccoli, or prepped veggies for days on end, I’ve never been one of those people. I’m sure my life would be easier if I could eat prepped veggies during the week, but alas, I just can’t.

Jeweled Cauliflower Rice (Whole30 + Paleo) | Fridge to Fork

All that to say, this recipe was born out of a desire to have a festive side dish to serve my friends while we were collectively journeying through a Whole30. So I subbed cauliflower rice for the basmati rice, and used a tiny bit of Grade A maple syrup in place of the sugar.

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If you’re a strict Whole30er, you can skip the maple syrup altogether. Lastly, I subbed the unsalted butter for Whole30-compliant ghee. And guys…the result was amazing!

Jeweled Cauliflower Rice (Whole30 + Paleo) | Fridge to Fork

Unless you’re a regular Martha Stewart, this is probably not what I’d recommend making on a week night. There is a bit of time involved, but it is well worth the effort! Keep this one in mind for date night, supper club with friends, or for a family or holiday gathering. Easter is right around the corner, after all!

Jeweled Cauliflower Rice (Whole30 + Paleo) | Fridge to Fork

I’d recommend serving this with kebabs, like these Moroccan kefta kebabs from the Spruce. If you’re not feeling up to making both, you can pair the rice with a simple grilled chicken breast or steak kebabs.

Did you like this recipe? We’d LOVE to see your photos! Tag us on instagram @fridgetofork, and be sure to let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

Jeweled Cauliflower Rice (Whole30 + Paleo)

Created by on March 6, 2018

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp. ghee (or unsalted butter)
  • 2 heaping tablespoons sliced scallions
  • 1/4 c unsweetened coconut strips
  • 1/4 c pomegranate arils
  • 1/4 tsp. ground turmeric
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 4 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/4 c unsalted, raw natural pistachios, shelled
  • 1/4 tsp. saffron threads
  • 1/4 c raisins
  • 1/4 c dried cranberries
  • 1 tbsp. grade A maple syrup
  • 1/2 c matchstick carrots
  • 1 orange
  • 2 c cauliflower "rice"
  • 1/4 c raw, slivered almonds

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Toast pistachios on a baking sheet until lightly brown, about 4 minutes. Toast almonds until golden brown, 5-8 minutes. Chop the pistachios once cool. Set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add cauliflower rice and stir. Cover with lid and let steam for 2 minutes. Remove lid and stir occasionally until cooked through, approximately 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Using a vegetable peeler, zest the orange and slice the peel into thin strips. Bring one cup of water and tablespoon of maple syrup to a boil in a saucepan. Boil zest and matchstick carrots for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  4. Peel and dice half of the orange. Keep remaining half for another use.
  5. Combine dried cranberries and raisins in a small bowl, covering with hot water. Let soak for 10 minutes. In another bowl, mix the saffron threads and 1/4 cup hot water.
  6. Heat ghee (or butter) and one tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sautée chopped onion until caramelized. Stir in cardamom, cumin, turmeric, and 1 tablespoon saffron mixture.
  7. Stir in cauliflower rice and cook together over medium heat until most of the water cooks off. Add in carrots and orange zest, nuts and drained fruits. Serve topped with pomegranate arils, toasted coconut, or scallions if you like.
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