My embarassing historical past with cauliflower:
Admittedly, cauliflower wasn’t a vegetable I assumed a lot about earlier than adopting a complete meals, plant-based food plan.
As a child, the one time I noticed cauliflower was on a celebration platter subsequent to different uncooked greens and a dip.
I had cooked cauliflower for the primary time in faculty whereas I attempted to shed weight on “food plan” frozen meals. (Cauliflower was in one of many stir-fry choices and let’s simply say it wasn’t precisely the very best first impression LOL).
Fortunately I “went vegan” a number of years later and in an effort to “hold ‘veg’ in vegan” I began shopping for totally different greens on the grocery store to strive.
Steamed cauliflower was an on the spot hit and for years I did not eat cauliflower another approach…
A brand new relationship with cauliflower begins:
My husband got here dwelling from a piece dinner one night saying he’d had Indian meals for the primary time, it was wonderful, and there have been “tons of vegetarian and vegan choices.”
Neither of us had eaten Indian meals earlier than. I am undecided I even knew it existed.
In fact now I used to be curious so we made plans to return to the restaurant he’d been to that weekend.
I used to be each stunned and delighted to see a cauliflower dish on the menu: Aloo Gobi Masala. (In my ignorace I feel I mentioned one thing like “I did not know individuals in India ate cauliflower” whoops).
It was love at first chew for me and Aloo Gobi Masala stays a private favourite.
Time to get artistic:
A 12 months or so later, I began writing cookbooks. Tapping into my artistic facet, I began considering how else might I take advantage of this vegetable or that bean? What might I make that was new and fascinating?
I quickly realized cauliflower was by far essentially the most versatile of all greens and there is little it could’t do.
There are a whopping 120+ cauliflower recipes in my meal planning and recipe app (meal mentor, get a 7-day free trial proper right here).
This is the full listing of all 120+ vegan cauliflower recipes.
Beneath are a few of my favourite methods to make use of cauliflower:
HEAVY CREAM SUBSTITUTE
Steamed or by accident overcooked cauliflower might be blended with water or a plant-based milk (soy, cashew or oat works greatest) to create a substitite for heavy cream in soups or sauces.
Caulifredo (my vegan Alfredo sauce constituted of cauliflower) is a good instance. Recipe within the meal mentor app.
This straightforward sauce is constituted of solely 5 easy substances and is an excellent plant-based and low fats (no oil, not nuts) different to dairy-based or nut-based Alfredos.
Likewise I’m utilizing “cauliflower cream” right here to make this Creamy “Clam” Chowder (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
PLANT-BASED “CHEESE”
I used to be requested to carry a dish that was WFPBNO (complete meals, plant-based, no oil), low fats and if potential, keto or low carb to a celebration.
I created this Cauliflower Nacho Cheese and it was an enormous (HUGE!) hit with everybody, even those that didn’t have any dietary limitations. (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
Whereas potatoes + carrots have been a well-liked plant-based cheese different to nut-based cheeses, I feel cauliflower provides a particular one thing else. Plus there’s fewer substances and labor required with this model. It is merely steamed or microwaved frozen cauliflower blended with a number of spices.
CREAMY SOUPS
Blended cauliflower is my go-to exchange “cream” or milk in creamy soups. Whereas potatoes additionally work, I discover a handful of frozen cauliflower works simply as nicely and reduces each cooking time and labor.
One in every of my favourite soups is my Brussel Sprout Bisque, which is barely 4 substances and makes use of slightly cauliflower for creaminess. It is so silky clean too. (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
MEAT CRUMBLES SUBSTITUTE
Essentially the most distinctive approach I have been ready to make use of cauliflower is as an alternative choice to floor beef.
Examples embody my Cauliflower Bolognese. (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
“Carnitas” Chimichangas(the cauliflower makes the carnitas half) (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
“Chorizo” Tacos (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
“Meaty” Adobo Chili Not solely is that this chili made with out beans, the cauliflower creates the meaty half. (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
Sloppy Joes (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
I additionally generally use florets as a stand-in for chunks of meat.
Listed below are a number of examples:
Shawarma (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
Sloppy Buffalo’d Joes (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
Cauliflower Bahn Mi (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
WINGS
Again in 2015, I launched cauliflower scorching wings they usually’ve been mega in style ever since. My recipe is featured in my cookbook Blissful Herbivore Holidays and Gatherings and on the finish of the documentary Consuming You Alive.
STEAKS
Slabs of cauliflower are a factor! I like making cauliflower “steaks” once I need one thing that appears elegant (however is simple) and toothsome. Listed below are two methods I serve them:
Cauliflower Steaks with Cherry Balsamic Dressing (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
Roma Cauliflower Steaks (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
You too can discover recipes on-line for baking your entire head of a cauliflower which makes for an exquisite centerpiece throughout vacation meals.
PIZZA CRUST
For individuals who want gluten-free or a low carb pizza crust, Cauliflower Pizza Crust is a good alternative. (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
Low Carb RICE
For a low carb rice alternative, use a grater to “rice” a head of cauliflower or pulse florets in a meals processor a number of occasions. I wish to cook dinner the cauliflower bits in a tiny little bit of water to melt it up earlier than utilizing it as “rice.”
You too can often discover “riced cauliflower” or “cauliflower crumbles” within the freezer and produce part of most huge chain supermarkets. The frozen choices might be microwaved which may be very conveient.
My husband is not a fan of plain cauliflower rice (I feel it is nice with some salt and pepper) HOWEVER once I costume it up with different flavors and seasonings, he likes it.
Three favourite dishes I can consider are the Cauliflower Verde Bowls(the verde rice is made with cauliflower) (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
this Cauliflower Rice Biriyani (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
and Kimchi “Fried” Rice (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
N’OATMEAL
Once I was creating the Shortcut to Slim Blueprint, I created “Fauxy Oatmeal” for a breakfast choice. It is filling and scrumptious and makes what appears like oatmeal besides it is made with cauliflower as a substitute of oats and makes use of weight-loss science hacks to expediate weight-loss.
You too can add some frozen cauliflower rice to your ‘common’ oatmeal for further fiber or when you’re like me and are all the time seeking to maximze vitamin and veggie consumption.
RISOTTO
For years I used brown rice when making “risotto” so it could be extra healthful and fewer processed. I then puzzled if I might use cauliflower rice and the reply is most defintely! Whereas I are likely to do a mixture of brown rice and cauliflower rice, I like having a number of greens in what appears like a decadent meal.
That is my Candy Pea Risotto – an ideal spring meal! (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
TEXTURE & BULK
For me, I’ll all the time decide the extra volumous meals. I might slightly have a large bowl of cantaloupe then a number of raisins or a fair fewer quantity of nuts, for instance. I discover cauliflower florets are useful in giving me a portion measurement I’ll discover satisfying.
Listed below are a pair examples:
Cavo Italiano Pasta (This recipe was featured on my Make It Monday e-newsletter. If you happen to’re not on that e-newsletter, sign-up right here to get a FREE recipe each monday. Study extra right here). (Recipe can be within the meal mentor app).
Cauliflower Ranchero Tostadas (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
SOY-FREE “TOFU” SCRAMBLE
For my associates who cannot have soy however nonetheless wish to make a “tofu scramble”, I’ve discovered cauliflower is an excellent substitute for tofu.
I begin with complete florets after which because the cauliflower cooks and will get softer (I saute in slightly vegetable broth), I gently mash the florets with a potato masher right into a extra crumbled consitency (assume: scrambled eggs) however do not over do it otherwise you’ll find yourself with mush/mash.
As soon as the “tofu scramble” seasonings are added and blended nicely (add one other splash of broth) you have got a soy-free scramble that may cross for tofu.
Cheese Cauliflower Scramble is one in every of my favourite “shock” facet dishes to serve at brunch. It is mashed cauliflower with dietary yeast, Cajun seasoning, and some different spices like onion and garlic. (The precise recipe is within the meal mentor app and On a regular basis Blissful Herbivore cookbook).
POTATO REPLACEMENT
Whether or not you are low carb or not, generally it is good to alter issues up and cauliflower florets make for an exquisite alternative.
Listed below are some examples of florets as a substitute of potato:
Buffalo Tots (as a substitute of tater tots, these tots are constituted of cauliflower) (Recipe within the meal mentor app).
Moliee (Kerala Cauliflower Curry) (Recipe in meal mentor app)
Coconut Cauliflower Curry (Recipe in meal mentor app)
Able to see for your self how versatile cauliflower is???
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