{"id":188790,"title":"Cauliflower Couscous","modified":"2026-10-06T16:20:51+02:00","plain":"Cauliflower couscous without semolina: cauliflower grains saut\u00e9ed with bell pepper, almonds, pumpkin seeds and toasted spices.\n\n\n\nCauliflower grains sizzle in the pan with red bell pepper, sliced almonds, pumpkin seeds and toasted spices. This cauliflower couscous replaces wheat semolina with finely processed cauliflower for a light, dry texture. Cumin and coriander bring warmth, chili adds a kick, and turmeric gives it a golden color. Find this recipe among my keto dishes.\n\n\n\nWhat is cauliflower couscous?\n\n\n\nHere, the word couscous refers to the appearance of the dish: small, tender, separate grains that hold onto oil and spices. Finely chopped in a food processor, the cauliflower entirely replaces durum wheat semolina and takes on a texture resembling very fine rice. Its mild flavor lets the aromatics shine.\n\n\n\nThe balance comes from the bell pepper, nuts, seeds and spices. Red bell pepper provides fleshy pieces and colorful sweetness, sliced almonds a distinct crunch, and crushed pumpkin seeds little crunchy bits. Toasted coriander and cumin seeds bring a warm, nutty aroma, complemented by cardamom, turmeric, a touch of cinnamon and chili flakes.\n\n\n\nOn a related note: Chicken with Parma ham.\n\n\n\nOrigins and culinary context\n\n\n\nThis version belongs to contemporary, carb-conscious cooking, where cauliflower serves as a light base in place of certain grains. Properly prepared, it produces tender grains, mild enough to absorb flavors and firm enough to retain some bite.\n\n\n\nGenerous flavors make up for the absence of semolina: toasted seeds, golden almonds and whole spices add a depth that cauliflower alone would lack. Quick cooking prevents a wet, mushy texture and keeps the dish dry, fragrant and slightly crunchy in places.\n\n\n\nThe way it is served also sets it apart. Unlike a full couscous meal with broth and slow-simmered vegetables, it works as a spiced side dish, ready to accompany grilled meats, a chicken curry or an eggplant dish in sauce.\n\n\n\nFor a change: Creamy chicken curry.\n\n\n\nThe main ingredients\n\n\n\nCauliflower, 250 g for two people, forms the base. Processed into fine grains, it captures the oil and spices without the heaviness of a cereal grain, adds lightness and fiber, and needs only a very short cooking time. Red bell pepper adds juiciness, color and a little sweetness, becoming tender-crisp after searing over fairly high heat.\n\n\n\nSliced almonds add a delicate crunch throughout, in a quantity close to that of the pumpkin seeds, which retain a pleasant bite once crushed. The spices provide the aromatic backbone: two teaspoons of coriander seeds for citrusy freshness, one teaspoon of cumin seeds for earthy warmth, and the same amount of chili flakes, depending on their heat.\n\n\n\nHalf a teaspoon of ground cardamom adds a floral touch, a little turmeric colors the grains, and a pinch of cinnamon extends the warmth. Avocado oil, mild olive oil or high-oleic sunflower oil works well for cooking.\n\n\n\nAlso try: Eggplant with bacon.\n\n\n\nTechnique tips and serving\n\n\n\nSuccess starts with the grains. Once thoroughly drained and dried, pulse the cauliflower briefly in a food processor until it forms distinct grains, stopping before it turns into a pur\u00e9e. Dry-toast the almonds and seeds until lightly colored, add the spices to the pan when they are almost ready, then remove the mixture from the heat to prevent bitterness.\n\n\n\nYou can find other dishes like this among my low-carb recipes.\n\n\n\nThe bell pepper can handle a hotter sear and should stay slightly firm. Add the garlic before the cauliflower, which should spend no more than a minute in the pan to retain its grainy texture. Finally, stir in the seed, almond and spice mixture, serve with any sauces added at the last minute, and allow for 60 calories per serving, excluding sauces and toppings, which also contain carbohydrates.\n\n\n\n\n\n\tCauliflower Couscous (Keto)\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t250 g cauliflower1 red bell peppera generous handful almonds (flaked)a generous handful pumpkin seeds2 teaspoons coriander seeds1 teaspoon cumin seeds1 teaspoon chili flakes0.5 teaspoon ground cardamoma pinch turmeric (powdered)a knife-tip cinnamonavocado oil, mild olive oil or high-oleic sunflower oil (for cooking)\t\n\t\n\t\tFinely process the cauliflower in a food processor until it resembles rice.Briefly crush or pulse the pumpkin seeds. You only need to break them up a little.Toast the seeds and almonds in the pan without oil. Add the spices when they are almost ready. Then remove from the pan.Wash and chop the bell pepper. Crush the garlic.Add oil to the pan and saut\u00e9 the bell pepper over medium-high heat. Add the garlic.Saut\u00e9 the cauliflower with the other ingredients for no more than a minute, then add the seed, nut and spice mixture.\t\n\t\n\t\tEquipment: food processor, garlic press or sharp knife, small PFAS-free frying pan.\n\t\n\t\n\t\tAccompagnementMaghreb","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188790","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=188790"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188790\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/184931"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=188790"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=188790"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=188790"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}