Ive been wanting to share a recipe like this for quite some time as its been something we have been eating different versions of for at least 3 years. It wasnt until I was re-united with my long lost friend, California Prunes, that I really felt it was ready to be shared with the world!
I love mixing nuts, and dried fruit in with my cauliflower rice as it gives it nice texture and depth of flavor. The salty pine nuts have a great crunch with a wonderful toasty flavor that pairs nicely with the beautiful delicate sweetness of the California Prunes. I must say that this combination is my favorite right now!
I love the almost mediterranean vibe of this dish and it will pair nicely along almost any other dish. Its not only paleo, vegan and vegetarian friendly, but full of goodness and something almost anyone can enjoy, I really love when that happens!
Prunes, yeah you read that one right! Lets talk about them for a moment because If you havent had some in a while, you definitely need to be re-introduced to them just like me. Prunes or dried plums? Well most plums you see in the grocery store are not the kind farmers use to create these amazing little gems.
Prune plums are a specific type of plum that are smaller in size which yields a much tastier dried product because of the higher sugar content then their larger cousin. We learned from multi-generational prune farmer Felicia Alvarez that these type of plums are called a prune whether or not they are fresh on the tree or dried. I thought that was pretty special.
But whats also very special is that the world still comes to California when they want the best prunes even though they are produced around the world. I kept thinking well thats cool, but why? California not only has perfect conditions for growing them, amazing weather and rich nourishing soil, but they also craft a more intensely flavored prune using drying tunnels that are climate controlled instead of letting them drop to the ground and dry which makes them better for you and your family!
When I tried a prune right out of the drying tunnels, it was still warm to the touch and tasted like fresh plum cake! It was then that I realized just why the prune farmers had such a deep love for growing them and carrying onthe tradition to pass on to their children and grandchildren. They really have an amazing passion for what they do!
We tried them in so many different dishes after the orchard tour and it made me sad that I had overlooked adding them as an ingredient to my meals and baked goods! They are super delicious and add a wonderful flavor to just about anything, not to mention the nutritional benefits.
We talk about gut heath all over the place these days and collagen seems to be the sexy one in the spotlight atm, while prunes get portrayed as something old people use to stay regular, the narrative needs to change on that one for sure. Prunes are a superfood with tons of nutritional benefits. They have less sugar compared to other dried fruits and a lower glycemic index so they keep blood sugar levels stable. Prunes are a prebiotic that help to optimize our gut health but they are also a good source of magnesium and boron (in very few foods), potassium and help to support healthy bones.
One of my favorite things that the chefs made for us to try was a compote made with California Prunes, onions, garlic, and olives. It reminded me of this cauliflower rice that I love so much so I decided to make it even better with prunes, I hope you love it too!Be sure to check out California Prunes online at CaliforniaPrunes.org and on social media @CAprunes!
This recipe is sponsored by the California Prune Board who invited me to their orchards to experience a September prune harvest.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cauliflower
- 1/2 cup pitted green olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
- 1 medium red onion, diced (about 3/4 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 10 California Prunes, cut into chunks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread pine nuts out evenly on lined baking sheet and toast for 5-6 minutes in oven, tossing every few minutes so they dont burn. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
- Wash cauliflower and remove all leaves and green parts. Dry with a towel and cut into small chunks if adding to a food processor, pulsing until resembles rice or cut cauliflower into larger chunks if using a box grater and grate by hand like you would cheese until it resembles rice and set aside.
- Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a skillet on medium heat, toss in diced onion and cook til translucent, about 5-8 minutes, then add in minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil and riced cauliflower to the pan. Stir together with the onions and garlic.
- Add garlic powder, basil, oregano, cumin, and salt and pepper to the cauliflower rice mixture and stir to combine. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes and then add in sliced olives, prune chunks and toasted pine nuts (reserve a handful to garnish) and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until cauliflower rice has softened to your liking.
- Top with reserved pine nuts and garnish with fresh parsley/herbs and additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately.
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