Spiced Cauliflower “Couscous”

Spiced Cauliflower Couscous / loveandlemons.com #vegan #glutenfree Spiced Cauliflower Couscous / loveandlemons.com #vegan #glutenfree

While cauliflower pizza might not resemble actual pizza dough, cauliflower couscous (in my opinion) really does mimic the texture of actual couscous remarkably well. If you were waiting for a vegan recipe with a few less carbs – here it is. In fact, this might be just a few chickpeas and a couple of currants away from paleo. (Although I’m not an expert on paleo rules so don’t quote me on that).

Spiced Cauliflower Couscous / loveandlemons.com #vegan #glutenfree Spiced Cauliflower Couscous / loveandlemons.com #vegan #glutenfree

I went a little nuts with the nuts and spices. The cauliflower has such a subtle flavor so it’s really a blank canvas. Since we’re in the middle of winter, I figured I’d make use of a bunch of a variety dried spices – also, I had just cleaned out my pantry. Apparently, I had been hoarding hazelnuts.

I finished this off with a simple coconut & turmeric sauce that was inspired by a recipe my friend Angie made for me once (hi Angie!). This would make for a nice light dinner on it’s own, it was also really good with a few seared scallops on top.

spiced cauliflower “couscous”

 
Author:
Serves: serves 2-3
Ingredients
  • about 3 (loose) cups of cauliflower florets, dried completely
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • ¼ cup toasted hazelnuts, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
  • ½ teaspoon dried orange peel
  • ½ teaspoon dried cilantro leaves
  • ½ teaspoon red chile flakes
  • 2 tablespoons currants
  • 1 cup chickpeas, (optional: roast them in a bit of oil & salt)
  • chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
sauce:
  • ½ cup coconut milk (full fat is ideal, light would do)
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • pinch of cinnamon
  • salt
Instructions
  1. Ahead of time: toast your hazelnuts and pine nuts and roast your chickpeas.
  2. Make your sauce by stirring together the coconut milk, turmeric, curry powder, a pinch of cinnamon and a pinch of salt.
  3. Pulse cauliflower in a food processor until it’s “riced” (ie, the size of couscous). Careful not to overmix, you don’t want to puree the cauliflower at all.
  4. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cauliflower “couscous” and a few good pinches of salt. Let it gently toast for a minute or so and stir. you should see a few of the bits turning golden brown. (Careful not to overcook you want the pieces tender and not mushy). Toss again and add the nuts and spices and chickpeas. Cook until the spices become fragrant (about 30 seconds more) and remove from heat.
  5. Toss cauliflower mix with half the sauce, (not too much so it stays fluffy), and top with fresh cilantro Taste and adjust seasonings and serve it with the rest of the sauce on the side.

63 comments

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Rate this recipe (after making it):  

  1. Julie
    10.08.2021

    Thus is so good! I added some roasted veg and it was super tasty 😊

  2. CG
    03.11.2019

    Hey! I just stopped by to compliment you on this recipe. We had it tonight with a Moroccan beet/carrot salad and it was heaven. Actually neither of us could believe how great it worked out. Thank YOU!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      03.17.2019

      I’m so glad it was a hit! Thanks for coming back to let me know!

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.