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Raw Cauliflower “Couscous” with Kale and Cabbage

Cauliflower “Couscous” with kale, cabbage, walnuts, dried cranberries, and lemon-mustard vinaigrette is packed with nutrients, full of flavor and makes for a marvelous side dish! Just add animal protein to turn it into a main entree.

Raw Cauliflower Couscous - packed with cabbage, kale, walnuts, dried cranberries with a zesty dressing. Vegan, paleo, gluten-free, healthy!

So I’ve been doing this thing that has been making me feel like a natural woman…

…And no, it has nothing to do with bathing, shaving, behaving, or any action verb that requires proper hygiene or social normalcy.

I’ve been taking an online photography class, people! 

A few years ago, I came across Eva’s blog, Adventures in Cooking. I was immediately drawn to her photography, and since then, she has been my photography idol. Can I be you, Eva? Please and thank you. When I saw that she was offering an online food styling and photography workshop, I just about died.

And then I did some pacing. And some head scratching. And some ice cream binge eating. Followed by some wall-staring, followed by more pacing. Because this is how I deal with the thought of change.

Raw Cauliflower Couscous with Kale, Cabbage, Walnuts, Dried Cranberries, and Lemon-Mustard Vinaigrette

Let’s chat about this “couscous,” as it is not your regular couscous at all.

What is Cauliflower Couscous?:

Simply put, cauliflower “couscous” is cauliflower grated into small pieces that resemble actual couscous. It is essentially the same thing as cauliflower rice. When cooked, cauliflower couscous even has a similar texture to regular couscous. BOOM! Innovation.

I wasn’t sure what to name this recipe.. Power Couscous Bamboozle. Superfood Cauliflower Jamborooski. Bad Mama Jama Cruciferous Vegetable Bowl. I’m real creative.

So I ended up naming it something blasé, yet relevant, so that I would get SEO bonus points for really buzz-wording it out.

There’s a lot going on in this bowl. You should investigate it.

I was inspired by Andrea’s Cauliflower Couscous with Lentils and Turmeric-Tahini Dressing and had been meaning to do cauliflower in the raw for quite some time. So I whipped up this recipe and it is the latest object of my affection.

Raw Cauliflower Couscous - packed with cabbage, kale, walnuts, dried cranberries with a zesty dressing. Vegan, paleo, gluten-free, healthy!

Ingredients for Raw Cauliflower Couscous:

  • Cauliflower
  • Cabbage
  • Kale
  • Walnuts
  • Dried Cranberries
  • Green Onion
  • Lemon Vinaigrette of olive oil, lemon juice, and stone ground mustard!

Health Benefits of Cauliflower Couscous:

This cauliflower couscous packs a mean antioxidant punch! Between the kale, cabbage, and cauliflower (three AMAZING cruciferous vegetables), it contains Vitamin C, Vitamin K, choline, fiber, and more! These vegetables have been touted as cancer-fighting and disease prevention foods. Making them a regular part of your diet is a sweet little insurance policy.

More Cauliflower Recipes:

My cookbook, Paleo Power Bowls, is now available! CLICK HERE to check it out. Thank you for your support!

Go raw, dog (not to be confused with…never mind).

Raw Cauliflower Couscous - packed with cabbage, kale, walnuts, dried cranberries with a zesty dressing. Vegan, paleo, gluten-free, healthy!

Raw Cauliflower Couscous with Kale

Cauliflower couscous with kale, cabbage, dried cranberries, walnuts and lemon vinaigrette.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
4 Servings

Ingredients

  • ½ head cauliflower, grated (4 cups)
  • 2 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups tightly packed dino kale, thinly sliced*
  • 5 stalks green onion, chopped (3/4 cup)
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup raw walnuts, chopped

Dressing:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, or more to taste
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons stone ground mustard
  • Salt and cracked pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Rinse all of the vegetables very well and pat dry.
  • Remove the stems on the cauliflower, chop the head in half, and grate one of the halves using a box grater (note: you can also pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor).
  • Add cauliflower couscous, cabbage, kale, green onion, dried cranberries, and walnuts to a large serving bowl.
  • Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, and stone ground mustard together in a small bowl. Pour it over the veggies and toss everything together well. Taste the "couscous" for flavor and add more olive oil, lemon juice, and/or sea salt to taste.
  • Serve alongside your favorite entree.

Notes

*you can also use curly kale or Russian kale

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving - Calories: 334kcal - Carbohydrates: 40g - Protein: 10g - Fat: 18g - Fiber: 10g - Sugar: 24g
Course: Lifestyle
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cauliflower couscous, cauliflower salad, paleo, plant based, raw cauliflower, vegan, vegetable side dish, vegetarian
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 334kcal
Author: Julia
Cauliflower "Couscous" with kale, cabbage, walnuts, dried cranberries and lemon vinaigrette - an amazing nutrient-packed side dish that is paleo, keto, whole30, and low-carb!
Recipe Rating




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Uno A.

Wednesday 13th of December 2023

This sounds good but shy do you did you have to recommend “ANIMAL PROTEIN “? Is there no plant based suitable for this dish? Are you saying no other protein tastes good in this dish?

Julia

Wednesday 13th of December 2023

Hi there! You can add any plant-based protein you'd like.

Nancy

Wednesday 23rd of February 2022

Very good! I looks beautiful and tastes great. I will definitely make it again and again.

Julia

Wednesday 23rd of February 2022

I'm so happy to hear that, Nancy! xoxox

Sharon

Friday 24th of March 2017

Confused about 2 measurements - ½ cups head cauliflower grated (4 ) and 5 cup stalks green onion chopped (3/4 )

Other than that is sounds good. I always like to see where the original recipe is referenced; however, in this case the link doesn't work and I don't see anything resembling this on Andrea's website. oh well.

Julia

Friday 24th of March 2017

Hi Sharon,

I'm sorry about that! I changed recipe plugins a few months ago, which caused some of my recipes to turn a little wonky. I fixed the measurements. It should be 1/2 a large head of cauliflower, which when grated should be about 4 cups-worth, and 5 stalks of green onion, which when chopped should be about 3/4 cup worth. Hope you love the couscous! xo

ANV

Friday 21st of October 2016

This came out awesome! Thanks for the great recipe!

Julia

Saturday 22nd of October 2016

You're very welcome! I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe - I love how clean and tasty it is! :D

Cathy

Thursday 28th of May 2015

Where's the couscous in this recipe?

Julia

Friday 29th of May 2015

Hi Cathy, I'm sorry for the confusion. The grated cauliflower is the "couscous" in the recipe.

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