Za'atar Spiced Cauliflower Rice

I am obsessed with cauliflower rice, and this za'atar (zahtar) spiced recipe is easy and delicious.

I love the taste, texture, and fluffiness of cauliflower rice. 

For me, it is a perfect substitute for regular white rice, which is high in calories, carbohydrates, and high on the glycemic index,  as opposed to cauliflower rice which is low in calories and low in carbohydrates and has a low glycemic index.

I buy frozen organic cauliflower rice from either Trader Joe's or Whole foods. It is just $1.99 a 12 ounce bag. The size of the cut of cauliflower is just how I like it, and it takes minutes to heat up in a skillet with a little avocado oil spray.

I normally eat riced cauliflower with just a sprinkling of pink Himalayan salt, cracked pepper, and turmeric. However, for company I make za'atar (zahtar) spiced cauliflower rice which is a little tastier and a little exotic. 

If you are not familiar with za'atar, it is a Middle Eastern spice blend. The brand I buy is gluten free and composed of Hyssop (Zahtar oregano), sesame seeds, parsley, coriander, salt, citric acid, and a little olive oil. Beware: You have to read ingredients, as some brands of za'atar may contain wheat or are not gluten free. 

I made vegan stuffed grape leaves and vegan za'atar spiced cauliflower rice for a pot luck dinner last night. Everyone commented on the cauliflower rice and how tasty it was.

 I used za'atar, cumin seed, turmeric, mushrooms, lemon juice, salt and cracked pepper in this recipe. The combination of za'atar and toasted cumin seed tastes exotic. 

Many of my friends prefer low carb ingredients, so cauliflower rice is a natural choice. 

Aside from the low carb and low calorie benefits, cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable with lots of preventative antioxidants that may be an important factor in preventing certain diseases. 

In fact, The United States Department of Agriculture, Health, and Human Services, which suggests dietary guidelines for Americans, recommends a minimum of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

Regardless of its nutritional value, this easy vegan recipe tastes amazing and makes a wonderful side dish.

Ingredients:

Avocado oil spray (better than olive oil for higher temperature cooking)

2 bags of frozen organic cauliflower rice (12 ounce each)

1/2 teaspoon cumin seed

3 medium size white mushrooms, washed and sliced very thin

1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon of turmeric

1/2 cup of chopped parsley

Pink salt

1 teaspoon za'atar

Directions:

Add cumin seed to a large skillet and carefully toast it on a medium heat for about a minute. Spray skillet with oil spray and add mushrooms. Sautee for an additional minute. Add packages of cauliflower rice. Use a fork to flatten and separate the frozen clumps that may be stuck together. Spray the cauliflower with a little more oil spray and sprinkle salt and turmeric over the cauliflower. Cook on a medium heat until kernels separate and begin to soften (about 3 minutes). Sprinkle with lemon juice and za'atar. Toss in the parsley and mix well and serve.

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