If you're following a low-carb diet like the ketogenic diet or are simply trying to cut back on your carbohydrate intake, you've likely discovered the many uses of cauliflower. Cauliflower’s versatile nature makes it easy to recreate many of your favorite dishes in a lower calorie, low carb fashion. Pizza, rice, gnocchi and even mashed potatoes can be made with cauliflower to create great-tasting meals that your family is sure to love. If you're looking to add yet another recipe to your cauliflower cookbook, you've landed on the right article.
In addition to all of the great cauliflower dishes listed above, cauliflower can also be used to create grits. Creamy, keto and gluten free, cheesy cauliflower grits encompass all of the flavors of traditional grits with significantly fewer carbs per serving. Curious to learn how you can make this mouthwatering dish? Read on as we provide step-by-step instructions on how to make cauliflower grits.
What Are Grits?
Now, before we dive into how you can recreate your favorite grits dish using cauliflower, let's first discuss what grits are. Simply put, grits are a type of porridge made from boiled cornmeal. While they're most often enjoyed for breakfast, this Southern meal can be combined with various ingredients to create savory sides and dinner dishes like salmon and grits.
Grits vs. Polenta
Two similar dishes, grits and polenta, are made from corn, which may cause confusion when adding them to recipes. So, what is the difference between grits and polenta?
Many individuals believe that the difference lies in the region where they're grown and processed. Whereas others think it's the type of corn used. In reality, both of these theories are correct.
Though grits and polenta are both made from corn, they're made from different varieties. Grits are most often made from dent corn, a type of corn that, when ground, produces a much finer consistency. This being, it's much easier to use rice cauliflower to recreate the texture of grits than polenta.
Cauliflower Grits Recipe
Eager to whip up a batch of cauliflower grits? This savory and filling meal is one that you can enjoy any time of the day. Plus, it's made with kid-friendly ingredients and is an excellent way to work more vegetables into your little one's diet. With a texture similar to classic grits, and a flavor enhanced with heavy cream and butter, it will be hard to tell the difference between this cauliflower version and the Southern classic.
Ingredients
- 4 cups riced Cauliflower
- Pinch of Salt
- Pinch of Pepper
- 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 1 cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, add riced cauliflower, pepper, salt, heavy cream and butter and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Stir mixture regularly until the cauliflower is tender, about 10 minutes).
- Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese.
- Allow grits to cool for a few minutes, then top with additional cheese and butter and serve warm.
Tips for Cooking Cauliflower Grits
To successfully cook cauliflower grits, you'll want the result to be as close to traditional grits as possible. Traditional grits are made with corn, and while corn and cauliflower both feature a mild flavor, they also have a distinct taste. Follow the tips and tricks below to ensure that your cauliflower grits taste just like the corn ones.
Use Finely Riced Cauliflower
Though your cauliflower grits shouldn't be as coarse as typical cauliflower rice, you won't want them as creamy as mashed potatoes. Finely riced cauliflower will provide the perfect creaminess and allow you to recreate the texture of classic grits.
Get Creative in the Kitchen
When creating this cauliflower grits recipe, make it your own. If you'd generally use spices and herbs in your grits recipe, add them into this one. Change things up with the cheese, or pair it with a side of gravy for an authentic Southern dish.
Don't Let the Grits Go to Waste
If you realize that there are some leftovers after eating a big plate of cauliflower grits, save them! Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator. Just remember to eat them within the next few days.
Additional Cauliflower Recipes
If, after making these cauliflower grits, you're eager to whip up even more cauliflower-based recipes, we have you covered. Here are a few delicious cauliflower dishes that we make regularly.
Fresh Herb, Feta and Quinoa Cauliflower Patties
Whether you're following a plant-based diet or simply partaking in meatless Mondays, these Fresh Herb, Feta and Quinoa Cauliflower Patties are an excellent substitution for traditional meat patties. Loaded with fresh herbs, salty feta cheese and quinoa, cauliflower rice gives it a hearty texture that replicates meat. Easy to make in batches, these cauliflower patties are a great dish to make if you're serving a crowd. Additionally, they can be made at the beginning of the week to serve as a grab-and-go meal on busy days. While popular burger condiments like ketchup and mustard taste great on these patties, they're even better when topped with hummus, pesto or tzatziki.
Cauliflower Chia Baked Falafel
Looking for a quick and healthy snack to create for your family and friends? This Cauliflower Chia Baked Falafel is just that. Made with a combination of flavorful and wholesome ingredients like chickpeas, organic chia seed, quick-cooking rolled oats and steamed cauliflower, it is the perfect addition to a well-balanced diet.
Though the most common way to eat falafel is wrapped in freshly baked pita, it's not the only way. This Cauliflower Chia Baked Falafel can be used to stuff peppers, as a taco filling, or baked into a deliciously cheesy pizza. So the next time you're whipping up a batch of falafel at home, get creative and enjoy it in a new way.
Buffalo Baked Cauliflower Falafel
If you loved the falafel recipe above, then you are bound to enjoy this Buffalo Baked Cauliflower Falafel. A fun spin on traditional chicken wings, this delicious falafel is made with a combination of cauliflower, oatmeal and flavorful buffalo wing sauce. It's a fun game-day treat and the ideal snack option when serving plant-based guests. Enjoy this falafel as is, or wrap it up in one of these soft gluten free wraps and serve with hummus and veggies.
Additional Grits Recipes
On your way to becoming a grits connoisseur? Trying out various grits recipes is a sure-fire way to discover your favorite flavor combinations and combine the best of the best to create a delicious grits recipe of your own. So spice up your next batch of grits by making one of the recipes below.
Fried Cheesy Corn Grits
For a simple grits recipe that everyone at the table will enjoy, start by making these Fried Cheesy Corn Grits. Loaded with cheddar cheese and flavored with a bit of butter, they're the perfect base for your next plate of grits. Care to spice things up? Combine a few of your favorite herbs and spices and add them to the plate. Or, take things to the next level by grilling up a bit of sausage to enjoy alongside these grits. No matter what you pair this dish with, we're confident it will be delicious!
Shrimp and Grits
Though grits and fancy dinner parties may not seem like they go hand in hand, when made with the right ingredients, grits can be a delicious and impressive dish. So whether you want to surprise a loved one with a special dinner or impress an entire guest list, this Shrimp and Grits recipe is sure to suffice. In this recipe, rich and creamy grits are topped with tender shrimp and flavorful bacon to create an unmatched flavor combo. It's the perfect balance between a plate of comfort food and an elegant dinner.
Now that you know how to create a flavorful plate of cauliflower grits, you can begin adding this meal into your weekly recipe rotation. Whether you choose to enjoy the recipe as is or gain inspiration from one of the recipes above, we're confident that this is one meal that the entire family will sit down to enjoy. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, we wish you a day full of happiness and flavor!
Do you enjoy cooking with cauliflower? We'd love to hear about the tasty and unique recipes that you've created while using this superfood ingredient. Share your favorite cauliflower recipes with us in the comments below. We look forward to hearing from you!
