Crispy Saucy Orange Cauliflower | Higher-Than Panda Specific

This saucy and scrumptious vegan Orange Cauliflower rooster is a tasty plant-based twist on an Asian-inspired favourite. Crispy cauliflower florets are tossed in a zesty, do-it-yourself orange sauce for a gourmet-style principal dish. This straightforward orange cauliflower recipe may be made within the oven or the air fryer, able to serve in simply half-hour!

This recipe was written on October 12, 2022. It was up to date with further recipe data on July 2, 2024.

Indulge on this easy-to-make vegan orange rooster dish for the final word wholesome consolation meals! The recipe is made with easy, wholefood substances, freed from synthetic or thriller substances (no MSG right here!), and is 100% plant-based. The vegan orange sauce is made with freshly squeezed orange juice, soy sauce, and rice vinegar, infused with minced ginger and garlic, and sweetened with dates so there isn’t a added sugar. This recipe can be low in fats for an all-around nutritious and healthful meal! 

The cauliflower florets are coated in a do-it-yourself batter of flour, spices, and soy milk, after which cooked till completely crispy – in both the oven or air fryer. You’ll discover directions for each cooking choices outlined within the recipe beneath! Whether or not you’re trying to impress feast friends or just need to elevate your weeknight meals, this orange rooster cauliflower is certain to impress.

For extra Asian-inspired vegan recipes, strive my Korean-inspired Vegan Buddha Bowl, Maple Teriyaki Tofu & Veggies, and Harissa Hummus Nori Rolls.

Elements

Coconut Oil: Provides a delicate candy taste to the orange rooster vegan sauce. Use unrefined coconut oil for a extra strong style or refined coconut oil for a extra impartial style. If wanted, you may as well use one other impartial oil like avocado or canola. 

Ginger: Freshly minced ginger brings the dish a heat, spicy kick. Select a agency, clean root and take away the outer pores and skin with a vegetable peeler earlier than mincing. Select pre-minced ginger for simpler prep.

Garlic: Contemporary garlic infuses the vegan orange rooster recipe with a strong perfume. Search for agency garlic bulbs with out sprouting for one of the best style and texture. Pre-minced and bottled garlic additionally works in a pinch.

Orange Juice: Use freshly squeezed orange juice for the brightest taste within the orange sauce; usually 2-3 medium oranges will yield one cup of juice. Or, use a high-quality store-bought orange juice with out added sugar or substances. 

Soy Sauce: Provides an important depth of taste to the sauce. Go for a low-sodium soy sauce to higher management the saltiness of the vegetarian orange rooster. Alternatively, use coconut liquid aminos or tamari as a gluten-free different. 

Rice Vinegar: This gentle vinegar provides a tangy observe to the sauce with out overpowering the dish. Go for unseasoned rice vinegar to keep away from further sugars or salt. You may substitute with apple cider vinegar if wanted. 

Pitted Medjool Dates: Assist to naturally sweeten the sauce and supply a wealthy, caramel-like taste. Discover them within the produce or dried fruit aisle of the grocery retailer. You too can use Delget Noor dates and soak them in sizzling water earlier than utilizing them to assist soften their firmer texture. 

Cornstarch: Key thickening agent to assist obtain the right sauce texture. Search for non-GMO cornstarch. For those who don’t have cornstarch, you may as well use arrowroot powder.

Cauliflower: Contemporary cauliflower offers one of the best crispy texture when baked or air-fried. Select a cauliflower head with tight, white florets and no brown spots. 

Soy Milk: Select unsweetened, plain soy milk to offer the best-tasting creamy base for the cauliflower batter. You too can use one other plant-based milk like unsweetened, plain almond, oat, or pea milk. 

All-Goal Flour: Kinds the bottom of the batter for the cauliflower. Select an unbleached flour for the healthiest possibility. Substitute with 1-to-1 gluten-free flour mix if wanted for dietary necessities. 

Garlic Powder: Provides a scrumptious concentrated garlic taste to the cauliflower batter. Guarantee it’s inside its expiration for probably the most strong efficiency.

Tips on how to Make Orange Cauliflower

• Sauté Sauce Aromatics. Heat 1/2 tablespoon of oil in a saucepan over medium warmth, then add the ginger and garlic and cook dinner for about 1 minute till aromatic and flippantly golden.

• Add Liquid & Dates. Add the orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and dates. Deliver to a simmer and cook dinner for five minutes. Take away the pan from the warmth.

• Add Cornstarch. Whisk the cornstarch and the water collectively in a cup or small mixing bowl till the cornstarch is dissolved.

• Thicken Sauce. Stir the cornstarch combination into the recent orange juice combination and proceed to stir for about 1 minute till the sauce thickens. 

• Mix Sauce. Permit the sauce to chill for a couple of minutes, then switch it to a blender and mix till clean. Or use an immersion blender to mix.

• Put together Cauliflower Batter. Mix the flour, garlic powder, salt, and soy milk in a mixing bowl. Stir nicely, add the cauliflower items to the combination, and stir to coat every floret totally. 

• Cook dinner Cauliflower – Oven Choice: Preheat the oven to 375ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take away the cauliflower from the batter and shake off any extra earlier than putting the cauliflower on the parchment paper in a good layer. Preserve not less than ½-inch area between the cauliflower items. Spray the tops of the cauliflower with non-stick cooking spray. Bake for 30-35 minutes or till crispy and golden.

• Cook dinner Cauliflower – Air-Fryer Choice: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Grease the underside of the air fryer with non-stick cooking spray. Take away the cauliflower from the batter and shake off any extra earlier than putting it within the air fryer in a good layer. Preserve not less than ½-inch area between the cauliflower items. Spray the tops of the cauliflower with oil. Air fry for 15-20 minutes or till crispy and golden.

• Toss Cauliflower in Sauce. If the sauce is not sizzling, reheat it on the stovetop. Toss the crispy cauliflower within the orange sauce and place on a serving plate. Serve over fluffy rice and garnish with shaved crimson cabbage, cilantro, sesame seeds, or your favourite toppings.

Recipe Professional-Suggestions

• Minimize cauliflower into uniform items. When getting ready the cauliflower, reduce the florets into related bite-sized items and prepare them in a good layer on a baking sheet or within the air fryer to make sure even cooking and crispiness.
• Regulate the batter consistency. The batter for orange cauliflower recipes ought to be just like pancake batter. Guarantee it’s thick sufficient to coat the cauliflower florets evenly, however not too thick that it clumps. 
• Spray cauliflower with non-stick cooking oil. Earlier than baking or air-frying, spray the tops with cooking spray to assist them crisp up whereas cooking.  
• Regulate the sauce to style. Regulate the sauce’s sweetness by including extra dates or a small quantity of maple syrup, or add extra different substances to attain your required taste. 
• Further crispy cauliflower. Toss the crispy cauliflower within the orange sauce earlier than serving to stop sogginess. Return the tossed cauliflower to the air fryer or oven for a couple of minutes for an additional crispy outer texture. 
• Garnish. High the completed cauliflower with garnishes of selection for a pop of coloration and additional taste, like shaved crimson cabbage, chopped cilantro, sesame seeds, or thinly sliced inexperienced onions.

Serving Ideas

Get pleasure from this saucy orange rooster over a mattress of rice and attractive toppings for a easy lunch or dinner, or serve it as an appetizer alongside a few of our favourite recipes beneath for a full-spread Asian-inspired meal! 

Storage Instructions

• Refrigeration: Permit cooked cauliflower to chill utterly to room temperature earlier than transferring to an hermetic container and storing it within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Retailer leftover cooled sauce in a separate hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days.
• Freezing: I solely suggest freezing the sauce. Switch to a freezer-safe hermetic container and retailer for as much as 3 months. 
• Reheating: Reheat leftovers within the oven at 375ºF for 10-Quarter-hour or till heated by means of and crispy; or within the air fryer at 350ºF for 4-6 minutes till re-crisped. Heat leftover sauce on the stovetop over low to medium warmth, stirring often till warmed by means of. Thaw frozen sauce within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating.

Incessantly Requested Questions

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