Curry Cauliflower Fried Rice with Roasted Chickpeas

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Looking for a delicious way to spice up dinnertime? This curry cauliflower fried recipe is lower in carbohydrates, plant-based, and filled with flavorful curry spices. With just a handful of fresh ingredients and a few pantry staples, this recipe can be on the table in 30 minutes. YUM.

This curry cauliflower fried rice is made with cauliflower, as opposed to traditional white rice, and crunchy chickpeas, plus a variety of healthy and warming spices. If you’ve never swapped cauliflower in place of rice before, prepare for an easy and healthy treat.

Cauliflower is a good source of fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C and E, and potent antioxidants. The antioxidants in cauliflower (as well as other vegetables in the brassica family) are associated with reduced oxidative stress, promotion of detoxification pathways, stimulating the immune system, and decreasing the risk of certain cancers. Not to mention, cauliflower rice contains significantly more fiber than white rice, the latter of which has had its fiber stripped during processing, resulting in a high-glycemic grain. Translation: blood sugar spike.

Along with nutrient-rich cauliflower, this recipe also contains roasted chickpeas, which are heart-healthy crunchy bites. Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are good sources of fiber, protein, manganese, folate, copper, iron, and phosphorus. Consuming these beans is associated with balanced blood sugar levels and satiety, thanks to chickpeas’ high amount of fiber.

To use chickpeas, cook your own from dried garbanzo beans (a batch cooking wonder) or purchase canned chickpeas in BPA-free cans or cardboard containers. If using canned chickpeas, dump them in a colander and rinse thoroughly before use.

This recipe gets its warmth and rich flavor from curry powder, a spice blend made up of turmeric, cumin, coriander, cardamom, basil, ginger, garlic, mustard seeds, and cinnamon. All of these herbs and spices boast serious health benefits including antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory properties, and improved digestion. Look for an organic curry powder, which means that the spices and herbs used were not sprayed with pesticides or other chemicals. Once opened, store curry powder in a dark and cool place and use within a year.

In order to turn the cauliflower into rice, you’ll need a food processor or box grater. The food processor can pulse down cauliflower florets into rice, while the box grater easily shreds the veggie into fine rice-like pieces.

Both methods are seamless and simple. If you lack time, you can also purchase organic riced cauliflower at Whole Foods Market or Trader Joe’s. Although much more expensive than just a regular head of cauliflower, riced cauliflower can help save time during kitchen prep.

Crunchy and flavorful chickpeas + simple cauliflower rice + vibrant spinach = an easy dinner filled with flavor.

I’ve shared the recipe for this Curry Cauliflower Fried Rice with Chickpeas over on Organic Authority – find the recipe there!

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