Flavor packed, fast and freakin good, this dish is a weekday winter staple.
Veggie rice can seem pretty tasteless and pretty lame, but I like to think of it as the perfect base to add pretty much any flavor profile without the carbs!
In this dish, I sauté cauliflower rice with crumbled spicy chicken sausage, minced garlic, Spanish onion, toasted walnuts, fresh spinach, and melty mozzarella. It’s a one pot wonder that takes “healthy” to the next level.
And hey – feel free to sip on a glass of red wine while you’re cooking. Antioxidants anyone?
Makes: 2 large dinner portions
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
The Ingredients
16 ounces (1 package) cauliflower rice
2 spicy chicken sausages
1 small Spanish onion, chopped
2 handfuls spinach (preferably fresh but you can also use frozen)
1 large garlic clove
~16 ounces low sodium chicken broth
1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted in the oven at 350 for 4-5 minutes
8 ounces ciliegine fresh mozzarella, each ball cut in half
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
The Steps
In a large pot over medium heat, use a knife to take the sausage out of the casings and use a spatula to crumble the sausage into little pieces as it’s cooking. When the sausage is cooked, drain the liquid. In the same pot, add onion and garlic and enough olive oil to coat the pot. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent.
Add cauliflower rice and chicken broth. Sauté for 4-6 minutes until the cauliflower just absorbs the liquid. Turn the heat to medium-low and add walnuts, spinach, and mozzarella. Sauté for 2 minutes just until the mozzarella balls start to melt. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
The Steps with Pictures
In a large pot over medium heat, use a knife to take the sausage out of the casings and use a spatula to crumble the sausage into little pieces as it’s cooking. When the sausage is cooked, drain the liquid. In the same pot, add onion and garlic and enough olive oil to coat the pot. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent.
Add cauliflower rice and chicken broth. Sauté for 4-6 minutes until the cauliflower just absorbs the liquid.
Turn the heat to medium-low and add walnuts, spinach, and mozzarella. Sauté for 2 minutes just until the mozzarella balls start to melt. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
