10 Minute Paleo Friendly Cauliflower Rice

This one goes to those friends out there trying to go paleo but finding a bit difficult to get tasty food on the table. It is also super good for those people who eat with their paleo friends but want to add something extra to their food. This is for you crazy exercise junkies with the soul of a foodie, for you crossfitters that still want to enjoy some quality food.

Every now and then I try to go Paleo (or paleo-ish) for a few weeks, it makes me feel good, my body feels like it is cleaning. It is rather controversial what Paleo-diet really is; there is tons of people saying that is the best way we can eat, and that is what our bodies are design to eat, and there is just as many people that say the opposite. I'm not gonna get into the debate, for me it works and if you use quality ingredients and do it properly it is damn tasty.

So, weather you are trying out the Paleo, you live with a someone who is trying it, you are watching what you eat, or you simply are in the mood for some tasty food that will not make you guilty whatsoever, this is for you… Paleo Friendly Cauliflower Rice, ah! and it will take you like 10 minutes to make!

Paleo and not that Paleo versions.

Ok, before I Continue with the recipe, we need to talk about that damn cauliflower rice… What the fuck is that? Well, at some point one of those health junkies was trying to come up with a substitute for rice, and found out that cauliflower would work quite well… Full disclosure here, lots of people and most of the recipes all over the internets will tell you that cauliflower rice has the same texture (and some will say taste) than real rice, this is complete bullshit, it is not. But that been said, it is damn tasty and gives your dish a great texture that a simple sautéed veggie dish will never have.  Making it is super simple, you take your cauliflower and a grater, and your grate that sucker until you are left with a big pile of grain like substance. That is it. I usually buy a big ass cauliflower and freeze it for future usage, it keeps well and you don't need to unfreeze before starting cooking.

Now, lets go for the ingredients!

• Leeks: half a piece would do the trick.
• Garlic: one big clove.
• Mint: As much as you want.
• Cauliflower Rice: About two cups.
• Peas: About two cups, you can use frozen, no biggy.
• Meatballs: You can use lean ground beef to make them, or use some gluten free sausage to make them.
• Bacon: Bacon bits, what would the world be without bacon?
• Feta: This is where the word friendly comes along, if you add it, it wont be paleo anymore, but it will be used for serving.
• Salt & Pepper: Duh!

The ingredients

Let's get to it!

1. Lets start with the bacon bits, toss them in a pan and when there is enough fat released, toss in the meatballs and sauté. We are looking for a light browning.
2. Chop the garlic and when the meatballs and bacon are browned, toss it in, move things around a bit.
3. Add the leeks and cook them until they are nice and soft and begin to get transparent.
4. Proceed to add the peas and move things around a little bit.
5. Take your cauliflower rice and toss it in. If you are using your frozen version just crumble it on top of the pan.
6. The cauliflower rice will cook super fast. Move things around and make sure that everything is mixed properly. Add some salt and pepper. Slice up a few mint leaves and scatter them around the pan, you are looking to warm up the mint and let it release some of the essential oils, if you put it too early it might get bitter. So two minutes before serving is perfect for the mint. 
7. It's time to serve, get a couple of bowls and serve! For the non paleo version get your feta cheese and roughly crumble a big chunk on top of your cauliflower rice. YUM!

Bacon and Meatballs, yeah!

Adding some of them leeks.

The Cauliflower rice.