Fried “Rice”
When you get to a certain age and you have given up prowling night clubs for life experiences, and you are no longer sure what social situations you appear to be suited to, life can surprise you.
I grew up at a time where rebellion was a right, and experimenting with all that life had to offer was not unusual. My 3 sisters and I spent most of our time when we were living at home, going to live music gigs and festivals and never telling our parents, because they came from a time where you really didn’t try all that life had to offer. I am a veteran ( in the fullest sense of the word) of “the Gig”.
And so I find myself lately, at ‘Death-Metal-Thrash’ gigs ….starting to enjoy myself. How, you might ask is this at all possible? Firstly, what am I doing at a Metal Gig?…. and secondly, I did say “enjoy”. I have slotted back in, I feel at home. It’s only when I have to stand in line in the bathroom that I know something is wrong (mirrors don’t lie), or when the barman answers my question. “What kind of beer do you have?”….and I can’t even hear his answer….” WHAT?” If I ignore these signs, I feel like only a minute has passed since I was prowling the clubs looking for unattached musicians , um… life experiences. (yes, I said that)
Skater is in a band, and since his gigs last no longer than 30 blood curdling minutes so far, I don’t mind being a roadie Mum for a minute. I look around and amongst the crowd I see other parents watching their kids up there rockin’ it out. I love life as a parent in the 2000’s, my parents would never have supported me and I sure wouldn’t have wanted them there. I should feel completely out of place, but I am enjoying it for now, there is just the matter of the hearing problem. Re that, I got kicked out of the special band area last week. It took a bit of sign language with the pit crew but I finally got the message.
” Ah, excuse me , are you in a band?” said the gig organiser, to which I said.
” No they didn’t give me band at the door”.
Of course I was referring to the band they put around your wrist at the door when you have paid. The conversation continued with sign language and more yelling, (only because a band was playing) before it dawned on me. My son had invited me into the band chill out area, a balcony overlooking the stage where they could watch the other bands, from above the crowd, before going on stage themselves. I dutifully high-tailed it out of there before he let down the tires on my zimmer frame. Goodness don’t they know what a great Roadie I am? Essential? Supportive? don’t they know who I am?
With all the gigs and what not, I find it beneficial to work with as few carbs at night as I can. That, my fellow music lovers is where this dish is the gig that everyone needs to attend. Don’t be sceptical because I gave this to a few guinea pigs and it was hard to pick ….that this is FAKE fried rice……….go on give it a try
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 1 kg cauliflower approx 1total with stalk but no green leaves
- 60 ml peanut oil 1/4 cup
- 250 gram bacon 2 rashes chopped -a good smoky one is perfect
- 150 gram small onion diced
- 100 gram peas, frozen
- 150 gram corn kernels 1 cup, fresh or frozen
- 100 gram red pepper diced, 1/2 cup
- 50 gram celery diced
- 1 bunch coriander optional
- 20 gram chives chopped
- 2 whole eggs
- 60 ml Soy Sauce light,
Instructions
- Start your fried rice by roughly chopping the cauliflower then processing in batches in a food processor or chopper till finely chopped to the size of rice grains, but not pureed.
- Once the other ingredients are chopped begin the rice. Put a wok over a full flame and heat well. Add the oil and then onion, bacon and celery. Stir fry until soft. Add the red pepper, corn and toss till hot. Add the cauliflower rice and keep stir frying on high. Beat the eggs together with a drop of soy.
- Push the rice aside and pour in the egg leaving till nearly set. Add the rest of the soy sauce and toss all together with the "rice", eggs and vegetables till well combined. Add salt to taste. Mix through the chopped herbs just before serving
- Serve with a fried eggs, cucumber and chopped chilli's in soy sauce.
Notes
Hi Tania!! I loved the story that came with this recipe!! I can imagine you eating a bowl of cauliflower fried rice and then heading straight to the metal gig being a roadie mum!! Anyway, been meaning to try making cauliflower fried rice (since I’m Asian and love my rice.. but need to cut down on carbs!). Thanks for the reminder!!
I can’t believe that’s cauliflower! What a great idea – I must try this. PS next time you have to wear your ‘I’m with the band’ t-shirt 😉
I wouldn’t say it’s “fake”, but instead, I’d say BRILLIANT! I love that you used cauliflower for this fried “rice”. I want to experiment it too. 🙂 Thanks for the creative dish – I’m very inspired by this dish!
I love this recipe! I really need to jump on the cauli”flour” bandwagon. Saw a great recipe for a pizza base using cauliflower.
Totally agree about the no carbs at night time it just feels better these days, (although I inhaled a plate of spaghetti this evening, so it’s hit and miss round here.)
I couldn’t hear in noisy bars when I was a late teen, I sure as hell couldn’t hear now. Wrap me up in a nana blanket, park me in a corner and I’ll mind your zimmer frame Tania while you go enjoy the noisy music.
Oh my yum! I need to try this fried rice!! Looks so delish!!
Ah, the good old days! That mirror is a bit of a pain, isn’t it!
I make a similar dish to this but I don’t blanch the cauliflower first before frying it. Saves one step.
This does look delicious and sneaks in so many yummy serves of veggies too!
Skater is a lucky guy indeed with you to support him. Who knows, maybe you’ll meet a gorgeous roadie single dad at one of the gigs and you can ride off into the sunset together on your Zimmer frames… How romantic 🙂 x
I make something similar but I don’t blanch the cauliflower. Actually I’ve wondered what it would be like with raw cauliflower because I think it loses some of its texture with cooking. Might try it raw next time!
Its great raw and blanched . I’ve done it both ways. I think the blanched version had a more “rice” texture
How creative and delicious!
p.s peas has carbs 🙂
Oh yes, silly me. Ok Lo carb Fried rice. You are right Angie
My sister is into the whole cauliflower rice thing. I’m not 100% convinced yet but I really should just bite the bullet and try it.
Go groupie mum!
Tania the more I learn about you from all your amazing life stories, the more I like you. Your son is so lucky to have such a supportive and cool mother.
This recipe sounds fantastic! I have to restrict my carb intake and your alternative would be great. I can’t wait to give it a try. Thanks for sharing!:)
I am impressed with all your gig going! I didn’t go to many even in my younger years when it was the ‘thing to do’ and these days I truly can’t imagine much worse. However, I’d happily have a plate of this and then just skip the going out part – I love cauliflower rice but haven’t tried it in this form before. Great!