Vegetable Fried Cauliflower Rice Recipe

Takeout fried rice is a universally-loved comfort food. Chewy rice, colorful veggies, salty bits of scrambled egg, and the unmistakable aroma of toasted sesame oil — what's not to love?

Veggie cauliflower fried rice is a healthy alternative to the classic — perfect for quick dinners and meal prep, on its own, or as a base for other dishes. Using cauliflower "rice" instead of actual grains is a perfect way to sneak a few extra servings of vegetables into your diet — and it's just as delicious as takeout.

Since cauliflower rice has gained considerable popularity in recent years, it has become a staple on supermarket shelves. "Riced" cauliflower can be found fresh in the produce section, or frozen in the freezer aisles. Either one can be used to make this fried rice from Alexandra Shytsman of plant-based recipe site The New Baguette.

To make this cauliflower veggie fried rice, you'll need "riced" cauliflower, a small onion, a carrot, frozen shelled edamame or peas, fresh garlic and ginger, an egg, soy sauce, and sesame oil.

If you have time, we recommend making your own cauliflower rice: Simply cut up half a head of cauliflower into florets and pulse them in a food processor (in batches) until the texture resembles rice grains. Homemade cauliflower rice is fresher, more delicious, and has better texture than whatever you can get at the store.

To start, heat some neutral-tasting cooking oil (we recommend avocado, organic canola, or refined coconut) in a large nonstick pan. Add the diced onions and carrots with a pinch of salt and cook over medium heat until the onions are translucent, about five minutes. The point here is to soften the vegetables, not brown them; if your vegetables are starting to take on color, reduce the heat. Be sure to stir the vegetables occasionally.

Next, add the cauliflower "rice", edamame, minced garlic, and ginger. Cook, stirring frequently, until the rice is tender and no longer opaque white. This will take five to 10 minutes, depending on the size of your cauliflower bits. (If your rice is frozen, it might take longer.)

While the cauliflower cooks, break an egg into a small cup and add a tablespoon of soy sauce. Whisk the mixture vigorously until the egg white is completely broken down and the mixture is homogeneous.

When the cauliflower pieces are tender, push all the contents of the skillet to one side and pour the egg mixture into the empty space. Immediately start stirring the egg with a spatula on that side of the skillet until small curdles form. Then stir everything together and season the dish with sesame oil and a bit more soy sauce. Cook for about a minute longer and turn the heat off. Taste and adjust the seasonings, if needed, and garnish with sliced scallions.