Am I the only one who has been INSANELY busy these last few weeks?
I feel like between taxes, the Spring Ezine, business deadlines, and regular life stuff, I haven’t had a second to spare! Meanwhile it feels like forever since I’ve been in a normal routine of posting a few new recipes a week here on the blog. I’ve missed it!
That being said, we’re heading to CT next week for a funeral, then back home for a week or so, then headed to Miami for the Blogher Food Conference (which I’m super excited about), and finally a few extra days in Florida to do the Legoland/Universal parks thing with Hungry Jr. Whew! I’m tired just typing all of that!
So while I’ll do my best to keep posting new recipes in between all the traveling, I probably won’t get back into a “normal” routine until late in May (I hope.)
In other news, I’ve been dairy free for about a week now and I’m down 3 lbs. That may not seem like much, but since my weight was pretty much at a standstill even at below 20g net carbs and around 1800 calories a day, I’m happy to be moving in the right direction again!
I’ve also started drinking my coffee black (I know, I can’t believe it either!) and while it’s not my favorite way to drink it, I really don’t hate it! I figure it will save me around 400 calories (or more, yikes!) per day, which should add up to a few additional pounds lost per month over time.
Since so many of you have requested it (and it’s how I’m currently eating) I’m going to be posting a bunch of keto friendly recipes that are also dairy free in the next few weeks. In addition, I’m going to be posting some of my favorite staple meals that are fairly simple, and that I eat often in my regular life.
Because no, even I don’t live off of Bacon and Smoked Gouda Cauliflower Mash and Grassfed Ribeyes with Sundried Tomato Butter all the time!
Let’s face it – Ain’t nobody got time (or money) for that every day!
To start us off I’m posting this easy and REALLY tasty Coconut Lime Cauliflower Rice recipe. I love it because the coconut makes it creamy and luscious – that way it doesn’t just feel like you’re eating chopped cauliflower. The lime adds a nice tang, and the cilantro a bright freshness that keeps you coming back for more. While not sticky like rice, it has fantastic flavor and a pleasant texture.
This cauliflower rice recipe is good on it’s own, but will be best paired with Indian or Asian flavors. The General Tso’s Meatballs, Pork Vindaloo Meatballs, Thai Red Curry Meatballs, etc. would all be great choices.
I ate this “rice” with a sublime Slow Cooker Madras Beef Curry that I made last week – I’ll be posting that recipe in the next day or two as well. These two recipes in combination are one of the most satisfying keto meals I’ve had in weeks! You guys are going to love it!
Coconut Lime Cauliflower Rice
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
A flavorful low carb and keto friendly rice substitute made with chopped cauliflower.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped cauliflower
- 3 Tbsp coconut milk powder
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh lime zest
Instructions
- Combine the chopped cauliflower, coconut milk powder, coconut oil, and water in a microwave safe dish. Microwave on high for 7 minutes. Stir and test the consistency – if too hard cook it for another minute or two. Stir in the cilantro and lime zest before serving.
Notes
Approximate nutrition info per serving: 214 calories, 18g fat, 4g net carbs, 3g protein
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
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Jessica says
Yum!! I make this with my chili and it’s awesome!!
★★★★★
Calvin says
Sounds tasty and refreshing.
Sydney Lee says
Hi! I love your website. I’ve been doing strict Keto for almost 2 months and have only lost 10 lbs. I can’t break any further and I have 100 to lose. I’m so discouraged and desperate to lose this weight. I just found out dairy and eggs may be reasons contributing to me being stuck. I saw with much excitement that you are new to going dairy free. I have to stay away from dairy (and eggs) now. Can I subscribe to your posts so I don’t miss anything you’re trying especially since you’re starting dairy free recipes that I’m guessing will also be Keto friendly too? Thank you!
Tami says
I don’t own a microwave. I know, “who doesn’t have one these days”!? The truth is, all my dishes are vintage and can’t be put in one safely. So, I don’t… Anyway. Since I don’t own a microwave, nor have any dishes that can safely go in one, (read: I can’t borrow the neighbors), any suggestions for making this without one?
I love cauli-rice and make new dishes with it all the time. This is a new process for me. Iwould normally steam, rice then flavor over gentle heat, wet or dry.
Any help would be appreciated. This recipe sounds like it’s right up my alley!
HeatherN says
I made this for dinner tonight to go along with red curry chicken. It was really good! My husband HATES cauliflower rice and has told me on numerous occasions that if I can fix it with lots of seasonings/spices/flavor, maybe it would be palatable. I’ve had this recipe saved on Pinterest for ages, but never made it because I couldn’t find the coconut powder. I finally just bought it on Amazon. I’m so glad I did! The red chicken curry recipe needed a can of coconut milk, which I could have sworn I had, but alas!! I just used the powder!! Awesome! I’m going to be sure to have a package of it at all times. Thanks for the great recipe!! You did the impossible, you made cauliflower palatable. LOL.
★★★★★
Bryan says
This was quite delicious ! I made it as written except for using lime juice instead of water – more carbs but not enough per serving to concern us. We enjoyed this with yakitori chicken meatballs as suggested – another wonderful meal we owe to you,
Matt says
Soooo a stupid clarification. Serving size is 2 1 cup servings correct? Sorry I tend to over read things.
Janet says
Can you use coconut powder instead? I’m unable to find coconut milk powder where I live, and the Asian grocery store told me this was the same thing as coconut milk powder, so I bought it. But now I think it is not the same thing. I’m not sure what else to use it for.
Simon S. says
correction: “…article should help to put our minds at ease…”. Sorry about that!
Simon S. says
Recently saw coconut milk powder as a new item at our local asian market, so I’m happy to see another application like this. I also rarely am able to use up a full can of coconut milk (or cream), so I find the powder convenient and more efficient.
As to the health (and other) issues involving microwave usage, this article should put help to put our minds at ease:
http://www.skepticink.com/health/2013/12/21/microwave-dangers-top-5-claims-vs-evidence/
l says
Would this freeze well?
Mellissa Sevigny says
Theoretically there is no reason why it shouldn’t, but I’ve never tried it so I’m really not sure! Let us know if you do and how it comes out!
Avocado says
I tried this with coconut milk powder and oil and it is absolutely awesome. Thank you so much, Melissa x
Mellissa Sevigny says
Right??? So glad you liked it too! The coconut milk powder is my new favorite ingredient!
Jeanne Collins says
Olga beat me to it! I threw out my microwave months ago when I learned it changes nutrients at a cellular level.
tiffany R says
How about adding xanthum gum to give it the stickiness of rice?
Mellissa Sevigny says
Great idea – that would probably work really well!
Karen Johansen says
Melissa another wonderful post that your web site is not letting us post to Pinterest. Hopefully your webmaster will take care of this soon on all your upcoming recipes. Love your work!
Mellissa Sevigny says
Yes, we’re working on it – thanks!
Olga says
Hi! Sounds delish! I really try to avoid using a microwave, any suggestions on how to make this on the stove or in the oven? Thank you!
Mellissa Sevigny says
You could definitely cook it on a stove top or in the oven. In the oven, covered at 350 (F) for about 15 minutes should do it!
Dave N says
Eric beat me to it, but it wasn’t the maltodextrin that prompted me to ask: why not just use coconut milk/cream instead of the powder and water?
Mellissa Sevigny says
I think you probably can Dave, but I don’t think it will have as strong of a coconut flavor or creaminess as the combo of the powder and coconut oil. But it will still be good and if it’s what you have then go for it. I recommend trying the powder if you can find it sometime though – it won’t go bad, and adds great flavor without extra liquid to coffee, sauces, curries, smoothies, etc. I’m loving it and use it all the time now!
Eric says
The coconut milk powder contains Maltodextrin, which makes me nervous. Could you omit the coconut milk powder, coconut oil, and water, and just use canned coconut cream?
Mellissa Sevigny says
Probably Eric, but I didn’t have any on hand so I used the dried stuff. I love the powder because I rarely use an entire can of coconut cream so it goes bad – this I can keep around forever. Also it has a very concentrated flavor – especially in combination with the coconut oil that gives it a luscious creamy coconut flavor that I don’t think you’ll get with just the coconut cream. Let me know if you try it that way though and how it comes out!
Eggbert says
I didn’t have the powder, so went with 3tbsp of coconut milk, and 2 of coconut oil, and it came out great.
The coconut flavour was subtle, but so is nasi lemak – the malaysian coconut milk rice dish.
I really enjoyed it.
Mellissa Sevigny says
Thanks so much for letting us know that the coconut milk works – really glad you enjoyed!!!