Oil-Free Cauliflower Couscous with Rosemary and Lemon

A Grain-Free, Gluten-Free Plant-Based Couscous

This healthy, plant-based dish uses grated cauliflower to replace couscous for a grain-free, gluten-free recipe. Combined with fresh lemon, crisp apple, and toasted almonds. This makes an impressive, satisfying vegan side dish!

What is Traditional Wheat Couscous?

Couscous is a grain dish that originates from the Maghreb, the northern region of Africa. It’s traditionally made with cracked bulgur wheat.  Combined with toasted almonds and dried fruits, it makes a light side dish. This makes couscous the perfect companion for heavier stews and sauces. Yet, you can enjoy it on its own as a simple lunch. 

How to make a Grain-Free Couscous: Grated Cauliflower

This grain-free version of couscous swaps out the bulgur for grated cauliflower. You can use a simple box grater to grate the cauliflower. Or, you can also use the grater blade on a food processor. Once the cauliflower is ready, you can flavor your couscous however you like.

Pops of Flavor and Texture with Whole Foods, Plant-Based Ingredients

This simple cauliflower couscous recipe gets pops of flavor interesting texture from whole foods, plant-based ingredients. Toasted sliced almonds, diced celery and apple add crunchy texture.  Golden raisins add a pop of sweetness. Plus, fresh lemon zest makes this recipe shine. This is all of the flavor…and none of the guilt!

Elegant, Light, Impressive Summer Side Dish

This elegant side dish deviates from the original North African flavors, but it honors the light, simplicity of the original recipe. Serve this as a gluten-free, plant-based side dish for a summer party. Delicious both hot and chilled, you can enjoy this with a healthy dinner and then snack on leftovers for a healthy vegan lunch. Made oil-free, healthy fat from almonds also provides protein and nutritious antioxidants.

This side dish will take center stage as one of your new favorite recipes!

Chef Katie’s Plant-Based Cooking Tips

Nut-Free: Swap out the sliced almonds for sunflower seeds or hemp seeds.

Quicker Prep: For quicker prep, swap out the fresh cauliflower for pre-shredded cauliflower rice. You can find this in the freezer section and refrigerated produce section of most groceries. You need about 6 cups of shredded cauliflower for this recipe, so double-check the amount in the package.

Other Veggie Variations: Swap out the cauliflower with other grated vegetables. Shredded broccoli, zucchini, summer squash, carrots, red cabbage, kohlrabi and brussels sprouts all offer interesting flavors. Mix and match for more color and flavor. This is a great way to use up vegetables from your CSA delivery or left in your fridge at the end of the week.

Recipe Inspiration: Inspiration for this recipe came from Simply Recipes. They offer ideas on other mix-ins, like orange zest, walnuts, and cranberries. I also love the idea of sunflower seeds, pecans, dried cherries, and diced fennel.

No Oil: I’m on a mission to get rid of empty calories, like those found in refined oil. For this recipe, you saute the cauliflower in a dry pan. This gives you a lighter, crunchier texture. Oil would create a soggy, heavy flavor.

Grain-Free Cauliflower Couscous with Lemon, Almonds and Golden Raisins

Medium |  Servings: 6  |  Ready In: 20 minutes |  Yield: 8 cups

If you love this, you’ll also love: Bulgur Stuffed Zucchini Boats, Brandywine Tomatoes Stuffed with Greek Cauliflower ‘Rice’, and Apricot Almond Whole Wheat Couscous

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Grain-Free Cauliflower Couscous with Lemon, Almonds and Golden Raisins

Grated cauliflower replaces cracked bulgur wheat for a light, gluten-free healthy twist on couscous. This oil-free recipe adds toasted almonds and dried golden raisins for interesting textures and flavors. You’ll love having this for a simple plant-based lunch. Or serve as an elegant vegan side dish for a dinner party.

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Healthy, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Vegan, Vegetarian

Keyword almonds, apple, cauliflower, elegant, fresh, grain-free, impressive, light, low-calorie, low-fat, nuts, oil-free, plant-based, raisin, simple, vegan, vegetarian, wfpb

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 117kcal

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 2 stalks celery diced
• 1 large apple diced
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
• 1 head cauliflower grated (about 6 cups)
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 5 green onions green part only, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• To make the Oil-Free Cauliflower Couscous with Lemon and Rosemary: Place the sliced almonds in a dry, wide pan and toast over medium heat until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Toss a couple of times to ensure even browning. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Return the same pan to medium heat. Add the celery, apple, and rosemary. Sauté until the celery and apple begin to soften, about 2-3 minutes. Add the grated cauliflower and green onions to the pan. Sauté until the cauliflower softens slightly, 2-3 minutes. Stir often and be sure not to overcook the cauliflower. You want it to still have some crunch.
• Turn off the heat. Add the golden raisins and toasted almonds to the cauliflower mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Stir well to combine. Taste to adjust seasoning and serve.
• Yield: 8 cups

Notes

MEDIUM | SERVINGS: 6 | READY IN: 20 MINUTES | YIELD: 8 CUPS

Watch to Learn More:

Nutrition Facts

Shopping and Gear List

• Cuisinart CTG-00-BG Boxed Grater
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• Nature’s Eats Natural Sliced Almonds, 16 Ounce
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• Jumbo Golden California Raisins 1 Pound Bag
  • BUY NOW
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