mohamed shili This Spicy Beef & Cauliflower Rice is a spicy and quick recipe, which is made with lean minced beef and rendang powder. It’s the perfect 30-minute meal, ready in about 20 minutes.
Spicy Beef & Cauliflower Rice Recipe Ingredients
- 500g lean minced beef
- 1 head of cauliflower (800g)
- 1 heaped teaspoon rendang powder
- 1 bunch of fresh mint (30g)
- 1 x 400g tin of light coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: natural yoghurt, for serving
How To Make Spicy Beef & Cauliflower Rice
- Brown the Beef: Place the minced beef in a large shallow casserole pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Fry on a high heat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon and stirring regularly, until browned.
- Prepare the Cauliflower: Discard any tatty outer leaves from the cauliflower. Place the nice inner leaves into a food processor. Halve the cauliflower; break up one half into the processor and cut bite-sized florets from the other half directly into the pan with the beef. Add the cauliflower stalks to the processor as well.
- Spice the Beef and Cook Cauli Rice: Stir the rendang powder into the pan with the beef and florets and cook for 10 minutes, stirring regularly, until the beef is crispy. Meanwhile, pick half the mint leaves into the food processor with the cauliflower, add a pinch of salt and pepper, and blitz until it resembles fine rice.
- Make the Sauce: Tip the blitzed cauliflower rice into a heatproof bowl, cover, and microwave on high for 4 to 5 minutes. While that cooks, pick the remaining mint leaves (reserving the baby leaves for garnish) into the pan with the beef. Toss well, then pour in the coconut milk and half a tin’s worth of water.
- Simmer and Serve: Bring the beef mixture to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes. Taste and season to perfection. Give the cooked cauliflower rice a good mix, and serve it on the side of the beef. Garnish with the reserved mint leaves and a dollop of yoghurt, if using.
Recipe Tips
- How to get the beef extra crispy? The secret is to use a high heat and to not overcrowd the pan. Break the mince up into small pieces and let it sit for a minute or two without stirring to allow a deep brown crust to form.
- What is rendang powder? Rendang is a rich and aromatic spice blend from Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia. It typically includes lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, chilli, and other spices. It provides a complex, fragrant heat to the dish.
- Can I make cauliflower rice without a food processor? Yes, absolutely. If you don’t have a food processor, you can use the coarse side of a standard box grater to grate the cauliflower florets and stalks into rice-sized pieces.
- How can I make this dish lower in fat? Use the leanest minced beef you can find (5% fat). After browning the beef, you can carefully tilt the pan and spoon out any excess rendered fat before you add the coconut milk.
What To Serve With Spicy Beef & Cauliflower Rice
This is a fantastic all-in-one meal that is incredibly satisfying on its own. The cool yoghurt is the perfect contrast. For a more substantial meal, you could also serve it with:
- A simple, refreshing cucumber and tomato salad
- Warm naan or flatbread for scooping
- Steamed green beans on the side
How To Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate: For the best results, store the spicy beef and the cauliflower rice in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Reheat the beef gently in a saucepan on the stove or in the microwave. The cauliflower rice can also be reheated in the microwave.
Spicy Beef & Cauliflower Rice Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Protein: 42g
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Sodium: 650mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Is this recipe very spicy?
The spice level depends on the rendang powder you use, as brands can vary. It generally has a medium, fragrant heat. To control the spice, you can start with a smaller amount of the powder and add more to taste.
Can I use a different type of mince?
Yes. This recipe would also be delicious with lean minced lamb or even chicken. Just adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure the meat is cooked through.
Can I use pre-made cauliflower rice to save time?
You certainly can. Substitute the head of cauliflower with about 4-5 cups of store-bought cauliflower rice. You can microwave it according to the package directions and simply stir in some fresh mint, salt, and pepper at the end.
Try More Recipes:
- Grilled Steak with Herby Brown Rice Recipe
- Spiced Beef & Rice Hot Pot Recipe
- Grilled Steak Ratatouille & Saffron Rice Recipe
Spicy Beef & Cauliflower Rice Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: EuropeanDifficulty: Easy4
10
minutes20
520
kcalA quick, healthy, and flavorful one-pan meal featuring crispy, spiced minced beef in a light coconut sauce, served with a fresh mint-infused cauliflower rice.
Ingredients
500g lean minced beef
1 head of cauliflower
1 heaped tsp rendang powder
1 bunch of fresh mint
1 x 400g tin of light coconut milk
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper
Optional: natural yoghurt
Directions
- In a large pan, brown the minced beef in olive oil over a high heat.
- Process half the cauliflower (with leaves and stalks) in a food processor to make cauli rice. Cut the other half into bite-sized florets.
- Add the florets and the rendang powder to the beef and cook for 10 minutes until crispy.
- Blitz the cauli rice with half the mint, salt, and pepper. Microwave it in a covered bowl for 4-5 minutes.
- Add the remaining mint leaves, the coconut milk, and a splash of water to the beef pan. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Fluff the cauli rice and serve it alongside the spicy beef, garnished with a few mint leaves.
Notes
- The most important tip for this recipe is to not overcrowd the pan when browning the beef; this is the secret to getting it truly crispy.
- Don’t throw away the cauliflower leaves and stalks! Blitzing them into the cauli rice is a great no-waste trick that adds extra nutrients.
- For the best flavor, “bloom” the rendang powder by frying it with the beef for a minute before adding any liquid.
- This is a perfect low-carb meal, as the traditional rice is replaced with a light and fluffy cauliflower rice.