A Twist on a Classic: Cauliflower Fried Rice with Ham, Shrimp and Pineapple

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Cauliflower-fried-rice-1

A new Asian restaurant recently opened just a few blocks from our house. Actually, it was a popular and well-established place that closed many months ago and reopened at its present, (and very convenient for us), new location. All summer long, the “Opening Summer” sign taunted us each time we’d drive by it. By mid-September, we had just about given up hope of it ever opening. Then, a few weeks ago, the lights were on and there were cars in the parking lot. And before I knew it, Mr. SGCC had pulled in and parked the car. Woo hoo!

I must say, it was worth the wait. The décor was absolutely lovely, with lots of bamboo, warm wood accents and cool, calming colors. It was hard to believe that the building was the former site of a 1970’s era Wendy’s and had stood vacant for almost ten years!

ToA-collage

One of the features of the restaurant that has drawn the crowds in for years is that it caters to all kinds of diners. The menu is quite varied and offers lots of vegan, carb-free and gluten-free choices. I am neither vegan, carb or gluten-free, but I have been trying to make better choices about the foods I consume So, I can certainly appreciate a place that tries to accommodate everyone’s dietary needs.

As I browsed through the menu, I saw something that piqued my interest – cauliflower fried rice. I love cauliflower and I love fried rice, so I ordered it. It wasn’t until I had taken a big bite that I realized that there was no actual rice in the dish. That’s right. The cauliflower WAS the “rice”. Now, I’ll admit that the restaurant was kind of dark, and I wasn’t wearing my glasses when I read the menu… But, it had never occurred to me that the rice was literally made from cauliflower. You know what, though? It was good. Better that good. It was great! So great, in fact, that as soon as I got home that night, I searched the web for similar recipes so that I could make it for myself. read more >>

more of what\'s cooking...

Nutty for Homemade Vanilla Almond Milk

Wednesday, March 13, 20139 Comments

Everyone here at Chez SGCC is lactose intolerant in varying degrees. Luckily for me, I’m the least affected. That means I still get to have ice cream from time to time. And, a world without ice cream is a very sad place. However, except for yogurt, we try to …

Spiced Eggnog Cupcakes with Vanilla-Rum Swiss Buttercream

Tuesday, November 20, 201226 Comments

When most people think of Thanksgiving desserts, the first thing that usually comes to mind is pumpkin. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin cake, pumpkin flan, pumpkin cheesecake – the list goes on. Thanksgiving is the one day of the year when pumpkin lovers unite and unabashedly share their mutual adoration for …

Whats in a Name? (Sauteed Broccoli Rabe with Garlic and Red Pepper)

Thursday, July 19, 201210 Comments

Broccoli rabe, rapini, broccoletti, broccoli raab. Depending on where in the world you live, these nutritious leafy green bundles go by many aliases. Call them whatever you like. I call them delicious.
Broccoli Rabe was a staple in my family’s diet when I was growing up. Honestly, it almost …

Heat Up and Cool Down with a Bloody Mary Gazpacho Recipe

Sunday, July 8, 20126 Comments

You may have noticed that I complain about the heat a lot. That’s because it is HOT here, people! It’s steam coming out of your ears hot. It’s fry an egg on the sidewalk hot. It’s the kind of hot that has Linda Ronstadt’s Heatwave on autoplay in your …

Get Back on Track with Cauliflower Soup

Thursday, January 19, 201214 Comments

I have been dreaming about this cauliflower soup ever since I first saw it on the Food 52 site last month. I don’t know why. There’s nothing at all that’s fancy about it. And, it’s probably one of the simplest soups in the world to make. But, something about …

Peanut Butter and Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe

Friday, January 13, 201232 Comments

Ever since Mini SGCC’s accident, it has been a crazy, hectic time around here! Most of my time has been filled up with driving her back and forth to school, taking her to doctor’s appointments, physical therapy and everywhere else she needs to go. In the midst of all …

Whole Grain Krispie Granola Bars Recipe

Tuesday, August 16, 201139 Comments

In just a few short days the kids will be heading back to school, and parents everywhere will be breathing a collective sigh of relief. Summer vacation can be tough on us moms and dads! Sure, it was great not having to get up at the brink of dawn …

Green Bean and Potato Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette Recipe

Thursday, July 28, 201110 Comments

With the heat-o-meter high up in the stratosphere these days, I’m always looking for ways to keep cool. Spending hours in a hot, steamy kitchen, churning out heavy meals is not my idea of a good time! This is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of what the summer’s …

Green Papaya Salad?  Or Is It?  (Thai-Style Broccoli Slaw Salad Recipe)

Thursday, January 27, 201114 Comments

I absolutely adore Thai green papaya salad, or Som Tam. I always order it when I see it on a restaurant menu. In fact, I have actually dined at certain restaurants solely because I’d heard that their green papaya salad was amazing. My favorite Asian market sometimes carries their …

kiss the cook!

Hello and welcome to SGCC! I’m Susan, a professional writer, food columnist, recipe developer, wife, mother, daughter and sister, who used to be a lawyer in a previous life. My love of food comes from a long line of wonderful and creative Italian home cooks who didn’t always have a lot, but knew how to make a lot out of what they had. I hope that you enjoy yourself while you’re here, and visit often! read more >>

Just Browsing?
55 Knives
follow me!

    Follow Me on Pinterest



    Friday Food Lust



    Fine Cooking