I’ve spent the day cooking up a storm for the e-cookbook – marshmallows, chocolate truffles, pineapple cake, caramel slice and jam cookies. I also made meringues and, for some foolish reason, thought I would change the recipe from the one I used on the lemon meringue tarts and they tasted terrible – like cardboard. So they all ended up in the bin. Some things can be redeemed with some coconut cream or chocolate ganache but these were inedible. Anyway, five out of six ain’t bad. Then friends turned up with their teenage son who proceeded to demolish half of my baking, making suitable squeals of delight so I guess that meant he approved of my sugar and grain-free offerings.
Last night, Adriano travelled to the middle of the island for a mountain biking race and I cooked a simple dinner for Dario and myself. Riced cauliflower is a great way to replace the grain as a base to soak up a sauce. On top of the cauliflower I layered a homemade tomato sauce, vegetables and pork fillets. I got this idea from the Petite Kitchen blog but made my own version.
This afternoon, Adriano came home clutching his ribs. He had had another close encounter – this time with his own bike. Going too fast down a hill, he and the bike catapulted head over heels and the bike won. I guess he won’t be sleeping too well tonight since even breathing hurts. At least he won’t be bleeding all over the sheets for a change. It’s usually hunks of skin that are missing when he comes home.
Update on my food journey: the weight is gradually dropping despite eating my own baking whenever I want. And my blood sugar levels are great. There are still some digestive issues which I am working on. It is indeed a complex puzzle to unravel.
Ingredients
- 1/2 head of cauliflower
- Vegetable stock
- Salt & pepper
- 2 cups tomato puree
- 1 garlic, crushed
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 tsp oregano
- Salt & pepper
- 4 large portobello mushrooms
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- Salt & pepper
- 4 thin pork fillets
- 1/2 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tsp coriander powder
- Salt & pepper
- Salad leaves
Instructions
- Rice the cauliflower in a food processor. Don't make it into a mush.
- Boil together with the stock in a saucepan until it is cooked but not too soft.
- Sieve out the excess liquid and season.
- Chop the onions and garlic and cook in the oil and butter in a saucepan until clear.
- Add the oregano and puree and cook until thickened.
- Season.
- Rub the pork fillets with the seasonings and oil.
- Cook on a grill until just cooked.
- Heat butter and oil in a frying pan.
- Chop up the mushrooms and add to the frying pan.
- Cook until soft and season.
- Spoon the cauliflower onto four plates and make a well in the middle.
- Place a few spoonfuls of tomato sauce in the middle.
- Lay a pork fillet over the sauce.
- Spoon mushrooms over the fillet.
- Top with some salad greens.
Congrats on losing the weight. I thought it was Dario who was going in the bike race! How awful for Adrian to crash like that. It’s so fortunate no bones were broken bu I bet he’s in agony! xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted..Idiot Politicians and…Fig Tart
Dario has done some mountain biking but not so much since he broke his collarbone in two places a couple of years ago. Adriano seems to crash all the time – at least there have been no broken bones yet, except fingers.
Suzanne recently posted..Cauliflower Rice, Mushrooms and Pork – grain-free dinner
I love cauli rice
CJ at Food Stories recently posted..What’s Your Food Story?
It’s a great grain substitute.
Suzanne recently posted..Cauliflower Rice, Mushrooms and Pork – grain-free dinner
Cauli rice sounds delicious! What a great ‘staple’. Congrats on your weightless and blood sugar levels, it great to see that the shift in food is doing you wonders!
The Life of Clare recently posted..Reflection, inspiration and excitement
Thanks, Clare. There is still a way to go while the body heals.
Suzanne recently posted..Cauliflower Rice, Mushrooms and Pork – grain-free dinner
I’ve never tried cauliflower “rice”, but what a great idea!
It’s a little different but worth trying if you want something to surprise people.
Suzanne recently posted..Cauliflower Rice, Mushrooms and Pork – grain-free dinner
Congratiolations on your weight-loss !
The recipe is amazing and the pictures are breathtaking !
I really love your blog
Thank you so much for the compliments.
Suzanne recently posted..Cauliflower Rice, Mushrooms and Pork – grain-free dinner
Congrats on the weight loss! That’s a big deal – as we age, it’s so hard to take extra pounds off. I haven’t made cauliflower rice, but I’ve seen it on a couple of blogs. Nice idea (although it’s essentially hashed cauliflower – but rice is a more attractive name!). Anyway, really good stuff. Thank you.
john@kitchenriffs recently posted..Pasta with Shrimp and Fennel
John, what I love is that I can eat as much as I want now whereas before I had to watch everything that went into my mouth.
Yes, it is still hashed cauliflower made to look different but I love finding new ways to use common garden ingredients and the web is a great place to find inspiration.
Suzanne recently posted..Cauliflower Rice, Mushrooms and Pork – grain-free dinner
Love this recipe. I think it’s great you are doing so well. I have to say the digestive issues are a labyrinth. Some folks really believe a lot of digestive issues are caused by mast cell disorders. Not sure if you’ve ever heard of it. I had my docs look into but they didn’t find any issues with me.
Kim Bee recently posted..Cauliflower Pizza with Peppers #SundaySupper
No, I haven’t heard of mast cell disorders. I will look them up and see if something fits. Thanks for the help.
Suzanne recently posted..Cauliflower Rice, Mushrooms and Pork – grain-free dinner
I’m glad your dietary changes are helping…and congrats on the weight loss and BS numbers! So sorry to hear about Adriano…ouch! And cauliflower rice sounds right up my alley…what an excellent option!
Liz recently posted..Maddy’s Arugula Salad…#SundaySupper, #SkinnySundaySupper
Thanks, Liz. It hasn’t been an overnight miracle like it can be for some but we plod on regardless.
I think it definitely was ouch when Adriano hit the bike in mid-flight.
Suzanne recently posted..Cauliflower Rice, Mushrooms and Pork – grain-free dinner
Suzanne good to know about your health however sad to know about Adriano all wishes for his speedy recovery and nice pics
Maria recently posted..Chettinad Muttai Kuzhambu – Egg Chettinad Curry
Thanks, Maria. Adriano is already recovering, after an uncomfortable night. It’s amazing what some anti-inflammatories can do.
Suzanne recently posted..Cauliflower Rice, Mushrooms and Pork – grain-free dinner
Hi, Suzanne! That’s good news about the weight drop and blood sugar levels! Keep it up (not the weight or the blood sugar, hehehe, but the good work)!
Lots of Paleo people make this cauliflower rice and I’m just itching to try this! Your dish looks great, and I’m sure it tastes great as well! I’ve heard so much about the versatility of cauliflower rice for Paleo! Thanks for sharing your interpretation of it.
Jen L | Tartine and Apron Strings recently posted..Pistachio-Crusted Halibut with Fennel Balsamic Gastrique
It will be a great addition to your Paleo menus. We are so lucky there are a lot of Paleo blogs out there for getting ideas from. They have been doing it a lot longer than us so we don’t have to re-invent the wheel too much. But we can certainly put our own spin on the recipes. I hope all is well with you.
Suzanne recently posted..Afternoon Tea Cookbook (grain, nut, dairy and sugar-free) – a few teaser photos
Hi Suzanne, I’m glad you are feeling better. I’m sorry to hear about Adriano’s accident . I have had quite a lot of those too, because I love to bike too. This dish looks so appetizing yet so simple. I’m amazed how perfect your food pictures come out, they look stunning. How is your e-book coming a long?
Frank @ Kraemers Culinary Blog recently posted..Black Bean Vegetable Wrap with Chipotle Mayo
Frank, my husband is a maniac on the bike and I am always surprised he doesn’t do something more serious. Thanks for the compliment – photography is such fun.
My e-book is about 2/3 of the way through now so it’s going well.
Suzanne recently posted..Creamy Lemon Slice – grain, sugar, nut & dairy-free