Monday, March 5, 2012

"Riced Cauliflower" Mushroom Risotto ( Grain Free)


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This creamy (grain/ rice free) cauliflower mushroom risotto is an unusual, but  fabulous recipe.



  Below,  what looks like rice,  is actually not rice at all; it is 'riced ' cauliflower. Yes, it's actually the healthy low fat and low carb cruciferous vegetable that serves as the replacement for rice in this creamy risotto dish.






 Cauliflower is a terrific base for making all kinds of  grain free/ low carb dishes including mock pizza crust, ( click for my recipe) mock mashed potatoes, and mock rice dishes as in this risotto. You can be as creative as you like.

When I found this risotto recipe, I knew it was something I would want to try.

However, I was hesitant becasue I had seen recipes that called for "riced" cauliflower before, and they had really scared me off.

I was intimidated by how the cauliflower turned into perfect little morsels of rice. I thought you had to be a professional "ricer" ..But after making it , I can tell you first hand that is  not so!! 

It is fast and easy to make. All you do is cut your cauliflower into flowerettes, place in the food processor with the metal blade and process 3 or 4 times very quickly ( on /off)  until the cauliflower resembles rice.

It's that easy. So, there's no reason not to try this recipe ( even if you are not a cauliflower fan because it doesn't end up tasting like cauliflower)


Break cauliflower into flowerettes

Place into food processor with the metal blade


Process very quickly 3 or 4 times until cauliflower resembles rice ( don't over do it)
 Before I decided on this particular recipe, I explored quite a few other recipes. Some were made from fresh raw cauliflower ( then later cooked) while others were made from frozen cauliflower that was also cooked later. Some of the recipes were low calorie, which would work great for anyone on weight watchers. Other recipes were low carb and called for  butter and cream., which would work great for any low carb type diet.

Which way did I choose to make this recipe?

I decided to try starting with raw cauliflower since the cauliflower seems to be abundant right now and relatively reasonable ;  I also made the low carb higher fat version, and I was very happy with the results. I also experimented and include vegan substitutions.

Personally, I'm following the Suzanne Summers Diet  right now which is based on food combining. I eat fruit and carbs in the morning ( like berries or an orange - wait 20 minutes and then have oatmeal) . After my one carb meal, I wait 3 hours before I eat  low carb meals the rest of the day, which is mostly vegetables, fats, and protein. She has some funny rules, like no carrots and beets, but I'm only on it for a short time.  I like it because it gives me flexibility and an opportunity to include butter in my diet , which I absolutely adore. It find it also helps cut down cravings.

Ingredients:
1 small head of cauliflower, riced
1 package of white sliced mushrooms
2 Tablespoons butter ( or use olive oil)
2 pieces of fresh garlic, minced
1/2 cup light cream (vegan alternative or use coconut milk)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese ( vegan alternative or  use 1/4 cup nutritional yeast for a cheeselike flavor)

Directions:
On a very low flame in a dutch oven type pot, saute the garlic and mushrooms in the butter until the mushrooms are lightly cooked. Add 3-4 cups of riced cauliflower and cook and stir for about 5 minutes. Add cream or coconut milk and continue to stir and cook for another 5 minutes  minutes. Shut off flame and cover pot for about 5 minutes ( No longer). Remove from flame and mix in Parmesan cheese and serve. 


Light and Creamy Grain Free Mushroom Risotto
 What's your preference? Low calorie or low carb? Why?

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18 comments:

  1. Judee...thanks for frequenting our Wonderful Wednesday blog hop on Ducks 'n a Row. This Wednesday YOU are the featured site! Tell all of your friends to hop on by!

    Sinea

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  2. Looks so good and creamy! Thank you so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday and I hope you'll stop back soon :)

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  3. I adore cauliflower and have adopted the pizza crust as a friday night staple!
    this recipe looks divine!
    BLessings
    http://bit.ly/c35ixk

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  4. Blog post with you featured is UP and running! Everyone, stop by.
    www.ducksnarow.com

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  5. I prefer low calorie I think. This look soo yummy!

    Thanks for your visit and comment :)

    Jenny
    www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

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  6. Low calorie or low carb? It depends, I try to eat healthy and watch my calories so maybe both? I am planning on trying this. I found you on Katherines Corner Blog Hop and I am glad I did. I am now following you and would love a follow back.

    My Turn (for us)

    http://myturn-evelyn.blogspot.com/

    Thanks ever so much, I enjoyed the visit.

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  7. I try to eat low carb, part of the time. :)

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  8. Fascinating! I'm intrigued, and love risotto. Thanks for linking this to Food on Fridays!

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  9. Oh that is really so clever. I've never heard of using cauliflower like that before. I prefer low carbs, myself. Thanks for linking up to Making Your Home Sing Monday.

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  10. Yummmy.. This looks amazing.. Thanks SO much for linking to Pin'Inspirational Thursday.. Sincerely appreciate it.. Wishing you a lovely start to your weekend.. Hope you are back again next week.. ;)) xo~ Marilyn

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  11. OH my goodness I am making this!! I make mashed cauliflower with garlic. But this looks yum. As to carbs, we keep them low. Although I love them so. Thank you for linking up to the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop xo P.S. I posted the new giveaway at Katherines Corner today :-)

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  12. This sounds wonderful! I just discovered mashed califlower (mock mashed potatoes) and throughly enjoyed this. I trying to eat less carbs and this sounds like a perfect dish to add to the menu.

    I host a Friday foodie blog hop called Friday Food Fight. The link stays open until Thursday evening. I would love for you to link up and share you recipe. Hope to see you in the ring!

    http://deniseisrundmt.com/2012/03/09/peanut-butter-delight-pupcakes/

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  13. What a great idea! Creamy and very tasty Riced Cauliflower Mushroom Risotto. I can't wait to make this it looks delicious! Hope you are having a great week end and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Happy St. Patrick's Day and Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  14. This is so clever and I bet it tastes better than rice. I know, I like cauliflower more than rice. Thanks for sharing it with My Meatless Mondays where it is being featured, this week.

    I love your blog. You always have something for me.

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  15. Looks yummy! Thanks for linking up to Healthy 2Day Wednesday! Hope to see you back tomorrow! :)

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  16. That is great!! My daughter has a rice allergy, and well, she's 5 so getting her to each vegetables that looks like vegetables is a near miracle. I bet she would LOVE this. I have to ask, though, I have always had a REALLY hard time digesting cauliflower and broccoli. I love them SO much but it hurts... Do you think these cauliflowers get soft enough for us "poor digesters" lol
    As for your thought provoking question: I initially lost 130 lbs following a low carb diet. Had my daughter where I gained 16 lbs and since have followed a calorie-count diet to lose another 40lbs. I have found it easier for me to keep my "diet-sanity" on a "calorie-conscious" diet rather than an "elimination" diet. I have found that I am also able to maintain weight-loss with "calorie-conscious". I tend to "yo-yo" on elimination diets. But EVERY person responds differently to different types of diet plans.

    Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie last week! I can't wait to see what you have for this week!
    AllieMakes.Blogspot.Com

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  17. I love mushrooms and would love to be able to grow them myself in the kitchen!

    magic mushroom kits

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Your comments are appreciated. I love knowing who is stopping by to read my posts! Have a great day.

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