BROCCOLI FRIED 'RICE'

I'm a big fan of anything rice: brown rice, white rice, rice vermicelli noodles, rice paper rolls...you get the picture. However when I get home most nights for a 9pm dinner rice is a little heavy. I've tried cauliflower 'rice' and didn't love it so I thought I'd give broccoli 'rice' a try, as I figured that broccoli has similar characteristics to cauliflower. As far as a fake type of rice goes, broccoli rice comes a very close second to regular rice. Whilst it may not photograph amazingly, it is light, nutritious and packed with flavour. If you are a vegetarian and/or vegan, you are leave out the bacon and/or egg and instead add more vegetables. 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large or 2 small heads of broccoli, florets and stalks roughly chopped
• 100g bacon, rind removed and roughly chopped
• 2 eggs, preferably free-range, beaten
• 1 tablespoon rice bran oil 
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1/2 a large leek, roughly chopped
• 3 stalks of celery, roughly chopped
• 2 medium carrots, roughly chopped
• 1 medium zucchini, roughly chopped
• 100g mushrooms, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
• Optional- serve with fresh shallots, finely chopped 

METHOD

1. Place the chopped broccoli into a food processor or blender and process/blend for a few seconds at a time, until finely processed (I think the broccoli to have a little more texture so I do not put the processor on for too long). 

2. Place a medium frypan over medium heat. Once heated dry-fry the bacon pieces for 4 minutes, flipping the bacon occasionally, or until slightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. In the bacon pan, place the beaten egg mixture. Heat the eggs for 2-3 minutes or until the rim of the egg is firm, then flip the omelette in two. Cook for another minute or until the egg is completely firm. Remove from heat and set aside, then cut into small pieces. 

4. In the egg pan add the rice bran oil and swirl to coat the pan. Add the garlic and leek and stir frequently for 2 minutes or until the leek is transparent. Add the celery, carrot, zucchini and mushrooms to the pan and cook for 4 minutes or until tender, stirring often. Add the soy sauce, broccoli, bacon and egg to the pan, stir to combine, then remove from the heat. 

Spoon the 'rice' into four bowls, then top with shallots if desired. 

Serves / 4 

Total Prep time / 15 minutes 

Total Cooking time / under 20 minutes