Crisp Cauliflower Recipes

CRISP CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread pine nuts on a baking sheet. Toast until fragrant, about 7 minutes. Let nuts cool, and chop finely. Set aside.
• Fill a saute pan with 1 inch water; bring to a boil. Add cauliflower; cover with aluminum foil. Reduce heat to medium; steam until almost tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat; Transfer cauliflower to a plate; pour off remaining water. Using a kitchen towel, wipe pan dry.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add cauliflower and pepper. Cook cauliflower until crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Add remaining tablespoon olive oil, turn, and cook other side. Transfer to a platter.
• Combine pine nuts, anchovies, fennel seeds, and garlic in a small bowl. Add to pan; cook until mixture is fragrant and just starts to brown, about 3 minutes. Raise heat to high; add wine. Cook until liquid has reduced by half, 3 minutes more. Remove skillet from heat, and stir in mint. Drizzle sauce over cauliflower, and serve.

QUICK CRISPY CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (232 C) and get out a large, oven-safe rimmed skillet (we prefer cast iron).
• Add chopped cauliflower to a large mixing bowl and top with oil, salt, seasonings of choice, and maple syrup (optional for a bit of sweetness). Toss to coat (see photo).
• Heat your large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add just enough oil to coat the pan (about 1-2 Tbsp / 15-30 ml as recipe is written - adjust amounts as needed if adjusting serving size).
• Heat oil for 1 minute. Then add cauliflower (add only as much will fit comfortably in the pan - crowding will lead to soggy cauliflower) and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring / tossing occasionally until your cauliflower has a slight sear / golden brown exterior.
• Carefully transfer pan to the preheated oven and bake on the center rack for 10-15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking, until the cauliflower is golden brown and cooked through. It should be tender with a slight bite and crispy edges.
• Garnish with desired herbs or nuts, such as cilantro and slivered almonds (optional), and serve immediately. We also like adding a drizzle of fresh tahini (also optional) for another layer of flavor and creamy texture.
• Store cooled leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days. Not freezer friendly. Best when fresh for optimal texture.

CRISPY ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees.
• On a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle cauliflower florets with olive oil. Season with salt. Roast, turning occasionally, until golden brown and just tender, about 20 minutes.
• Sprinkle with red chili flakes.

CRISPY CAULIFLOWER WITH LEMON AIOLI

Steps:

• For the cauliflower: Preheat a fryer to 350 degrees F, or heat 3 inches oil to 350 degrees F in a Dutch oven or deep skillet. Line a baking sheet with a wire rack.
• Whisk the eggs with the Parmesan in a bowl. Mix the flour and salt in another bowl. Dip the cauliflower in the Parmesan egg mixture, then into the salted flour, then into the fryer. Fry until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Season the cauliflower with salt while still in either the fryer basket or strainer and pour on the prepared wire rack.
• For the lemon aioli: Add the mayonnaise, lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste to a medium bowl and stir to combine. Pour into a serving bowl and garnish with the chives.
• Arrange the crispy cauliflower on a platter. Grate some Parmesan over, then sprinkle with the lemon zest and chives. Serve alongside the lemon aioli.

CRISPY BAKED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Place cauliflower in a saucepan with a small amount of water. Cover and cook for 5-10 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. , In a small resealable plastic bag, combine flour, garlic powder, paprika and pepper. Place cornflake crumbs in another resealable bag. Lightly beat egg whites in a shallow bowl. Toss the cauliflowerets one at a time in flour mixture, then roll in egg whites and coat with crumbs. , Place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately.

STICKY CRISPY CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Liberally grease 2 parchment-lined baking sheets with olive oil.
• In a medium-large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic, ginger, and salt. Make a well in the middle and stir in the sparkling water, whisking with a fork to form a smooth batter.
• Add the cauliflower florets and gently toss to coat them evenly in the batter.
• Place the florets onto the baking sheets, allowing a space between each piece to help them crisp up in the oven (if they are too close, they will steam each other). Bake, turning once, until crispy and golden brown, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce: Place the brown sugar, ketchup, tamari, vinegar, sesame oil, sriracha and garlic in a small saucepan. Using a wooden spoon, mix well and bring to a gentle, bubbling simmer. Cook, stirring often, until it reduces into a glossy consistency that coats the back of the wooden spoon, about 10 minutes.
• Remove the cauliflower from the oven and tip into a bowl. Drizzle over the sweet and sour sauce, add most of the cilantro and scallions, leaving some behind for garnish, and gently toss to coat each floret.
• Transfer to a serving plate and sprinkle over the remaining cilantro and scallions before serving. Enjoy.

CRISPY CHEESE CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Spray cookie sheet with olive oil.
• In a shallow dish, combine cheese, cumin, cayenne, salt & pepper.
• Dredge cauliflower pieces in egg, then in cheese mix.
• Put on cookie sheet, & spray with oil.
• Bake 15 minutes.
• Remove to serving plate, & sprinkle with parsley.
• Serve with lemon wedges.

CRISPY CAULIFLOWER TACOS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Toss cauliflower with olive oil, both chili powders, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cauliflower is tender, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine tomatoes, onion, capers, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper for pico in one bowl. Combine mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, and pepper for aioli in another bowl. Place both bowls in the fridge to let flavors blend until everything else is ready.
• Heat about 1 inch oil in a small pan over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Pat shallots dry with a paper towel, then lower into the oil; fry until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• Remove oil from the pan and wipe dry. Toast tortillas if desired by heating in the pan over medium heat for 30 seconds per side.
• Spoon aioli onto tortillas. Add cauliflower, pico, and shallots. Top with Parmesan cheese.