The cauliflower is a marvelous wonder of nature. Not only does it look like a tiny albino tree (which in and of itself is awesome), it can also transform into a million different and delicious meals.
It’s main benefit is, that it is a low carb alternative to the potato, while being just as versatile. This makes it a huge deal for people with restricted diets or someone who is looking to cut down on their carb consumption.
Here are a few ideas on how to utilize and get the best out of this amazing vegetable.
Chickenless Chicken Wings
Ever wondered what to put on a BBQ for a vegetarian or vegan? It does not have to be hard!
Spice up some florets of cauliflower with some Luisiana hot sauce or BBQ sauce, toss the florets onto the grill for a few minutes and watch the spices and flavours infuse into the taste. You can treat the florets exactly like you would a chicken wing (except you don’t ever need to wonder if it’s cooked all the way through yet, because it always is).
Mash
Craving some buttery goodness on some lovely mash, but hating the idea of having to get potatoes? Use cauliflower instead. The huge advantage here is, that cauliflower soaks up any flavour you add to it much easier than potatoes do (in general). This means that whatever you add to make the mash taste better (a pinch of salt, a hint of pepper, or even some cardamon or nutmeg), will bring out that flavour like a firework in your mouth.
Pickle It
Want to create something really nice to give away or store for a long time? Create some colourful and tasty mason jars with pickled cauliflower.
All you need is some raw cauliflower, vinegar solution, cherry tomatoes or peppers (for a dash of colour), sweet baby onions, and some mustard seeds. Pickle them, and enjoy them a few weeks later with some freshly baked bread or as a side to your grilled chicken or burgers.
Chop It Up
Another idea is to use cauliflower as a meat substitute in a casserole or shepherd’s pie. For this, you simply need to chop it up finely (but not so fine that it loses its texture when cooked) and use it the same way you would use ground meat, but with a slightly shorter cooking time. Again, the easiness with which the cauliflower collects and infuses itself with other ingredients will lead to a taste experience unlike any other.
Fry It
Similar to the idea above (chickenless chicken wings), for this recipe you can cut the vegetable into big chunks of about a half inch in height (think, flat and wide). Then, season it to taste with a bit of butter or olive oil, pepper, salt, coriander or curry powder or marinate it in your favorite spicy sauce.
Then, bake it in the oven until it becomes slightly supple and have yourself a steakless steak. This idea goes great with egg plants or as a side dish to chicken seasoned in a similar way.
The ulmighty cauliflower is so versatile and easy to incorporate into your low carb fare!