This cauliflower halloumi rice is a warm, spiced, and flavorful dish that’s as satisfying as it is easy to make. Packed with golden halloumi cubes, aromatic spices, and tender cauliflower, it’s a low-effort, high-flavor meal you’ll want to make on repeat. You only need about 20 minutes to create a dish that’s comforting, hearty, and bursting with texture. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends, this dish proves that simple ingredients can create big, bold flavors.
You can serve your spicy cauliflower halloumi rice on its own, pair it with a fresh salad, roasted vegetables, or a add drizzle of yogurt sauce for extra creaminess. It’s a great way to add more veggies to your meals without sacrificing flavor. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or sharing with family, this easy cauliflower halloumi rice will quickly become a weeknight favorite.
Halloumi is a semi-hard, brined cheese that originated in Cyprus and is popular throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East. It’s traditionally made from a mix of goat’s and sheep’s milk. What makes halloumi unique is that it can be grilled, fried, or baked without losing its shape. When cooked, it develops a beautifully crispy golden crust on the outside while staying soft and chewy inside, making it very addictive.
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 lb. cauliflower
- 3 oz baby spinach
- 8 oz halloumi
- 2 tbsp rapeseed oil
- 1 red onion (small)
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- Salt & pepper
Instructions
- Cook the rice following the package instructions.
- In the meantime, chop the onion and garlic, grate the ginger and cut the cauliflower and halloumi into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large pot, boil the cauliflower for 4 minutes, then add the baby spinach and boil for 1 more minute. Drain and set aside.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and fry until soft and translucent. Add the halloumi and fry for 5 minutes until golden.
- Add the garlic, ginger, turmeric, and cumin, and fry for 1 minute, then add the rice, cauliflower, and baby spinach and toss everything together. Adjust the seasoning.
Notes
- The recipe is for 4 servings.
- Prep time: 5 minutes.
- Cooking time: 20 minutes.
Similar recipes
If you like the cauliflower halloumi rice, you may also like the following recipes:
- Summer lentil salad
- Hungarian mushroom soup
- Broccolini gnocchi with peas
- Gnocchi with Gorgonzola and spinach
- Creamy chicken and mushroom pasta
- Crispy roasted cauliflower
Cauliflower halloumi rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 lb. cauliflower
- 3 oz baby spinach
- 8 oz halloumi
- 2 tbsp rapeseed oil
- 1 red onion small
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- Salt & pepper
Instructions
- Cook the rice following the package instructions.
- In the meantime, chop the onion and garlic, grate the ginger and cut the cauliflower and halloumi into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large pot, boil the cauliflower for 4 minutes, then add the baby spinach and boil for 1 more minute. Drain and set aside.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and fry until soft and translucent. Add the halloumi and fry for 5 minutes until golden.
- Add the garlic, ginger, turmeric, and cumin, and fry for 1 minute, then add the rice, cauliflower, and baby spinach and toss everything together. Adjust the seasoning.