Raw Vegan Cauliflower "Rice" Pilaf Recipe

on
Raw Vegan Cauliflower "Rice" Pilaf with Pomegranate and Pistachios

Cauliflower is one of the most versatile vegetables in the Brassica family. It can be eaten raw, dehydrated, pickled, cooked, baked, grilled, or roasted. Raw food lovers and vegans use the cauliflower "rice" to replace grains in many recipes. Its white color and a fairly neutral taste, make it a perfect rice replacement.  

If you have not tried the cauliflower "rice" yet, here comes a dish that is very fruity and fragrant, and mercifully easy to prepare. 

The simplest way to make the "rice" is to toss cauliflower florets into a bowl of a food processor and pulse-blend until the texture resembles that of cooked rice. If you do not have a food processor or a blender, you can still make the "rice" with the help of a simple food grater with big holes. Some grocery stores offer the cauliflower "rice" in their produce sections. If you decide to buy a ready-made product, make sure it is free of additives.

Raw Cauliflower "Rice" Pilaf with Pomegranate and Pistachios

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups cauliflower "rice"
  • freshly pressed juice of 1/2 orange
  • freshly pressed juice of 1/2 lime
  • 1/4 cup virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint (leaves only)
  • 1/4 cup chopped flat parsley (leaves only)
  • arils of 1/2 pomegranate, about 1/3 cup
  • 1/4 cup raw pistachios, roughly chopped
  • 6-8 dried apricots, rehydrated in water
  • 1/4 cup raisins, rehydrated in water
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Celtic sea salt
  • generous amount of freshly ground black pepper

Raw Cauliflower "Rice" Pilaf with Pomegranate and Pistachios

Method: 

  • Place the "rice" in a large mixing bowl. 
  • Cut the rehydrated apricots into thin slices. 
  • Whisk the dressing using orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, and spices. Pour the dressing over the cauliflower "rice" and mix well. Add raisins and sliced apricots, mix again. Set aside for 10-15 minutes. 
  • Add chopped herbs, pomegranate arils, and pistachios into the bowl with "rice" and mix well. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if needed. Set aside for another 10 minutes to allow flavors to mingle.
  • Serve alone as a main course or as a side dish with raw food falafels or burgers. Enjoy in good company!
Tip: Rehydrate apricots and raisins in organic rose water for a very special taste nuance. 

In radiant health, passionately raw - Dominique

Dominique Allmon©2022