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    Home Ā» main course

    Vegan Spanish Rice Bowl with Taco Spice Roasted Cauliflower

    Published: May 14, 2018 Ā· Modified: Dec 30, 2018 by Richa 34 Comments

    Jump to Recipe   Print Recipe

    Easy Vegan Spanish Rice Bowl with Taco Spice Roasted Cauliflower. Everyday Meal with everyday ingredients. Make into burrito or wraps. Vegan Glutenfree Nutfree Soyfree Recipe. 30 Mins, Easily made Oilfree.

    Easy Vegan Spanish Rice Bowl with Taco SpiceRoasted Cauliflower. Everyday Meal with everyday ingredients. Make into Burrito or wraps. 30 Mins! Easily made #oilfree #veganricha #Vegan #Glutenfree #Nutfree #Soyfree #Recipe | VeganRicha.com 

    When you have limited things in the fridge but want a fantastic flavorful meal, this Spanish Rice Bowl checks all the points.

    It uses everyday ingredients, is quick, flexible and has so much flavor! Make the simple Spanish rice, Roast up the veggies, load a bowl with toppings of choice such as salsa and avocado and done. Add beans for a hearty meal. I generally use my own Taco blend so that I can adjust the flavor to preference. Use any taco seasoning or chili blend of choice. 

    Easy Vegan Spanish Rice Bowl with Taco Spice Roasted Cauliflower. Everyday Meal with everyday ingredients. #veganricha #Vegan #Glutenfree #Nutfree #Soyfree #Recipe | VeganRicha.com 


    Although the title being used is Spanish rice, it is basically mexican rice. Spanish rice (from spanish cuisine is slightly different with saffron and other ingredients). Mexican rice is also called spanish rice at times. Mexican rice also has many variations and recipes. This is my interpretation of the tomato based rice dish and I ended up choosing Spanish rice as that is a more popular search term. Easy Vegan Spanish Rice Bowl with Taco Spice Roasted Cauliflower. Everyday Meal with everyday ingredients. #veganricha #Vegan #Glutenfree #Nutfree #Soyfree #Recipe | VeganRicha.com 

    Easy Vegan Spanish Rice Bowl with Taco Roasted Cauliflower. Everyday Meal with everyday ingredients. Make into burrito. 30 Mins Easily Oilfree #veganricha #Vegan #Glutenfree #Nutfree #Soyfree #Recipe | VeganRicha.com 

    More Easy Bowls from the blog..

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    • Curried Kidney Bean Bowl with quinoa, zucchini, mango salsa GF
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    • Quinoa Cauliflower Bowl with almond Sriracha sauce GF
    • Chili Garlic Tofu Bowl with Vermicelli. GF

    More Tacos from the blog

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    Easy Vegan Spanish Rice Bowl with Taco Roasted Cauliflower. Everyday Meal with everyday ingredients. #veganricha #Vegan #Glutenfree #Nutfree #Soyfree #Recipe | VeganRicha.com 

    Easy Vegan Spanish Rice Bowl with Taco Roasted Cauliflower. Everyday Meal with everyday ingredients. #veganricha #Vegan #Glutenfree #Nutfree #Soyfree #Recipe | VeganRicha.comĀ 
    Print Recipe
    4.86 from 7 votes

    Vegan Spanish Rice Bowl with Taco Spice Roasted Cauliflower

    Easy Vegan Spanish Rice Bowl with Taco Roasted Cauliflower. Everyday Meal with everyday ingredients. Vegan Glutenfree Nutfree Soyfree Recipe.  Easily made oilfree
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time35 mins
    Total Time45 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Gluten-free, Mexican, Vegan
    Keyword: mexican rice, mexican rice recipe, taco spice roasted cauliflower
    Servings: 3
    Calories: 286kcal
    Author: Vegan Richa

    Ingredients

    Spanish Rice

    • 1 cup (200 g) white rice such as basmati, or use short grain washed, drained, then soaked in water for 15 mins
    • 1 (1) tomato
    • 1/4 cup (40 g) chopped onion
    • 1 tsp cumin
    • 1 tsp chili powder blend or taco seasoning (see Recipe notes)
    • 1 tbsp pickled jalapeno
    • 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) salt
    • 1 3/4 cup (437.5 ml) water
    • 1/4 cup (65 g) chunky salsa
    • 2 tbsp cilantro

    Roasted Cauliflower

    • 1 small head of cauliflower chopped into florets
    • 2 tsp oil or aquafaba
    • 1 tbsp or more taco spice /seasoning blend
    • 1/2 tsp (0.5) garlic powder
    • 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) salt
    • 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) oregano

    To Serve:

    • Salsa of choice
    • Guacamole
    • Lime juice

    Instructions

    • Spanish Rice: Blend the tomato, onion, cumin, chili powder, jalapeno, garlic powder until smooth and set aside.
    • Drain the rice and combine with 1 3/4 cup water in a saucepan.(You can roast the drained rice in 1 tsp oil for a few mins until it starts to turn golden before adding water). Add the pureed tomato mixture, 1/2 tsp salt and mix in. (at this point you can also add some chopped bell pepper).
    • Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 16 to 18 minutes or until the rice is cooked through. Mix in about 1/4 cup chunky salsa and the chopped cilantro and fluff. Taste and adjust salt, flavor(add more chili powder or taco seasoning, more salsa if needed).
    • Roasted Cauliflower: Drizzle oil over the cauliflower florets. Mix in well (I use my hands to rub the oil all over). You can also add other veggies to the mix such as broccoli, zucchini, sweet potato, rutabaga. Increase the spices and salt accordingly.
    • Mix the spices and salt in a small bowl then sprinkle all over. Toss to coat. Distribute the Cauliflower on a parchment lined baking sheet or baking dish.
    • Bake at 425 degrees F (220 deg C) for 25 mins or until the veggies are cooked through.
    • Serve the spanish rice with the roasted cauliflower/veggies, sprinkle of lime juice, some salsa and guacamole/avocado. 
      For a hearty meal, add beans of choice. I also like a dash of black pepper over the bowl. The mix can also be made into burritos with some lettuce and refried beans.

    Notes

    Add some refried beans or walnut taco meat to the bowl for variation.
     
    Taco Seasoning: Mix and store. 
    2 tsp cumin powder
    1 tsp each of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika
    1/2 tsp each chipotle pepper powder, black pepper
    1 tsp each of oregano and parsley,
    1/2 tsp cayenne (optional, add less to pref), a good pinch of all spice or cinnamon.
     
    Brown Rice: Use 2.5 cups water for brown rice, add a bit more of the spices and herbs. Bring to  boil over medium heat, then reduce to medium-low, cover and cook for 45 mins or until the rice is cooked through.  Let the rice sit covered for another 5 mins, before fluffing and adding salsa. 
     
    Nutrition is 1 of 3 serves

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Spanish Rice Bowl with Taco Spice Roasted Cauliflower
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 286 Calories from Fat 27
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 3g5%
    Sodium 579mg25%
    Potassium 367mg10%
    Carbohydrates 56g19%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 3g3%
    Protein 6g12%
    Vitamin A 630IU13%
    Vitamin C 25.1mg30%
    Calcium 46mg5%
    Iron 1.4mg8%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Easy Vegan Spanish Rice Bowl with Taco Roasted Cauliflower. Everyday Meal with everyday ingredients. #veganricha #Vegan #Glutenfree #Nutfree #Soyfree #Recipe | VeganRicha.com 

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    1. Dawn

      January 28, 2023 at 1:17 pm

      Is that a 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder for the roasted cauliflower? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        January 30, 2023 at 6:00 pm

        Yes, the 1/2 tsp is for the cauliflower. The first mentioned garlic in the Spanish rice instructions refers to the garlic included in the taco seasoning blend.

        Enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Sam

      July 25, 2022 at 12:20 pm

      Hi Richa! Can we make this in a rice cooker? I usually use about 3/4 cup of water for each cup of rice.

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        July 26, 2022 at 5:10 pm

        I don’t see why not

        Reply
    3. Travis B

      September 03, 2020 at 8:05 pm

      5 stars
      Quick & easy & delicious! Perfect for weeknight meals where you don’t want to do a lot of active cooking time šŸ™‚

      Reply
    4. Sina

      March 10, 2020 at 4:49 am

      4 stars
      We had this for dinner last night. It was great! My husband usually doesn’t like cauliflower but he liked this. 😊

      Reply
    5. Sona

      March 08, 2020 at 11:17 am

      This recipe looks great! One question, is the 2 tbsp of cilantro, dried cilantro or fresh?
      Thanks.

      Reply
      • Richa

        March 08, 2020 at 2:47 pm

        fresh

        Reply
        • Sona

          March 08, 2020 at 4:22 pm

          Thanks!

          Reply
    6. Arto Bokchoi.

      February 04, 2020 at 11:25 pm

      Hi. Is it possible to do with the brown rice? Thank you so much for all your recipes!

      Reply
      • Richa

        February 05, 2020 at 5:24 pm

        yes, make sure to adjust the recipe for it (double the water and cook for 30 mins or longer).

        Reply
        • Arto Bokchoi.

          February 06, 2020 at 9:53 pm

          5 stars
          Lovely! Thank you so much for your response!

          Reply
    7. Dawn

      July 31, 2019 at 3:27 pm

      Would black beans go well with this?

      Reply
      • Richa

        July 31, 2019 at 4:45 pm

        yes. mix some of the taco spice with the beans ans saute for a few mins to heat up and for flavor

        Reply
        • Dawn

          July 31, 2019 at 5:40 pm

          Thank you!!!

          Reply
    8. Rani Dhaschainey

      June 09, 2019 at 12:41 am

      Hi, the rice looks delicious. I wonder if this could be done with quinoa instead? Have you tried it?

      Reply
      • Richa

        June 09, 2019 at 11:42 am

        yes quinoa should work fine, you’ll need a bit less water. Bring it to a good boil, then cover and simmer on low for 15 mins

        Reply
    9. Emisha

      February 13, 2019 at 2:32 pm

      Hello! Wonder if Rice part can be made in the Instant Pot?

      Reply
      • Richa

        February 13, 2019 at 3:37 pm

        Sure. 2 mins high pressure and then natural release for 10 mins then quick release for basmati or long grain white rice

        Reply
    10. Andrea

      August 08, 2018 at 10:00 am

      Spanish and mexican are two completely different things. Spanish from Spain, Mexican from Mexico.

      Reply
    11. Catherine

      May 22, 2018 at 9:13 am

      5 stars
      So delicious! I will use this recipe to make Spanish Rice from now on. I used roasted cauliflower and carrots with the rice. It is so good and I will make again soon. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Richa

        May 22, 2018 at 3:16 pm

        awesome

        Reply
    12. Sarah

      May 17, 2018 at 10:12 am

      Looks great! How do you think this would be with brown rice?

      Reply
    13. Valerie

      May 17, 2018 at 8:19 am

      I really liked the flavor of this rice but I seem to be missing the boat when it comes to cooking times. I cooked the rice at medium low for 16 minutes and it was still quite firm with much water left over. When I tried to bring the rice to a boil and then cook at medium low for 16 minute the rice was overdone and mushy. Do you have any suggestions?

      Reply
      • Richa

        May 17, 2018 at 10:14 am

        The times are generally right for white basmati (some brands will still differ as their basmati is thicker rice than it should be). They might differ bu a few mins here and therefor different types and brands of rice. I would say check at the 14-15 min mark and continue to cook based on how it is. If it is still firm then check after another 3 to 4 mins. if its just about done then fluff and cover for a minute, then add in the salsa

        Reply
    14. Carl

      May 16, 2018 at 4:19 am

      5 stars
      Cool

      Reply
    15. Laura

      May 15, 2018 at 6:59 pm

      thank you!

      Reply
    16. Ahmed Faisal

      May 15, 2018 at 6:03 am

      5 stars
      This looks so nice, even though am not a fan of rice. But looking of this I want to eat the whole thing.
      The pictures are so good and the recipe is very easy to understand. Can’t wait to look all the tasty recipes on the blog. Keep up the good work.

      Reply
    17. Cassie Thuvan Tran

      May 14, 2018 at 9:31 pm

      Yum, I had paella last night! So yummy, but this looks even better! I love the roasted cauliflower. It looks so perfectly crisp and flavorful!

      Reply
    18. Laura

      May 14, 2018 at 6:36 pm

      This looks amazing! Could I make the rice in my Instant Pot instead?

      Reply
      • Richa

        May 14, 2018 at 6:38 pm

        Sure. i havent tried it. Rice is a bit tricky to make in the instant pot, over cooking or burn issues coz of the less liquid etc. But if you have nailed down the time for the type of rice you usually make, then use it. Use a bit less liquid that listed.

        Reply
    19. Heidi C.

      May 14, 2018 at 5:50 pm

      I grew up eating a version of Spanish Rice and had kind of forgotten about it. This is a great reminder and a much healthier version. Thanks!

      Reply
    20. Nancy

      May 14, 2018 at 5:11 pm

      Oh my goodness this looks absolutely delicious! I confess I’m a ā€œbuy the little box of ā€œSpanish Riceā€ processed food junkie. I try for the most part to do a WFPB diet, but haven’t tried to make Spanish Rice on my own. Cannot wait to make this! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Richa

        May 14, 2018 at 6:39 pm

        its super easy and flexible. use whichever ingredients you have.

        Reply

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