Side Essentials Spicy Cheesy Cauliflower Muffins Recipes

BAKED CHEESY CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a baking dish with cooking spray.
• Place cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl with 1/2 cup water. Microwave until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to the prepared baking dish.
• Whisk egg and flour together in a bowl. Add milk, salt, and pepper. Pour over cauliflower florets. Sprinkle Cheddar cheese and paprika on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and cauliflower is soft, 30 to 40 minutes.

SPECIAL CAULIFLOWER SIDE DISH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Place cauliflower in a steamer basket; place in a large saucepan over 1 in. of water. Bring to a boil; cover and steam 6-8 minutes or until crisp-tender. , Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine yogurt, mayonnaise, mustard, dill, salt and garlic powder., Transfer cauliflower to an ungreased 3-cup baking dish; top with yogurt mixture and cheese. Bake, uncovered, 8-10 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.

SIDE ESSENTIALS: CHEESY CAULIFLOWER GRATIN

Steps:

• PREP/PREPARE
• Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
• Place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 375f (190c).
• Cut or break up the cauliflower into small florets.
• Blanch the cauliflower by dropping it into boiling salted water for 3 - 4 minutes.
• Then plunge it into a bowl of ice water.
• Once cool, remove from the ice water and drain on paper towels.
• Heat up the oil and butter in a sauté pan over medium heat.
• Add the onions, and cook until tender, but not browned, about 3 - 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 60 seconds.
• Add the olives to the pan, and remove from the heat.
• Add the reserved cauliflower, Pecorino Romano, and then mix to combine.
• Chef's Note: At this point, season the dish with pepper, to taste.
• Chef's Tip: Since Pecorino Romano is a very salty cheese, you will probably not need any extra salt in this dish. You might, however, add a bit more heat (red pepper, cayenne), when the temps begin to drop.
• Coat a baking dish with a bit of oil, and add the mixture, spreading out evenly. Mix the panko breadcrumbs with the Parmesan cheese, and add to the top.
• Add to the preheated oven, and bake for 20 -25 minutes, or until the panko/cheese topping begins to turn a yummy brown.
• PLATE/PRESENT
• Serve nice and hot with your favorite dishes... Beef, fish, poultry; it is up to you. Enjoy.
• Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

SIDE ESSENTIALS: SPICY CHEESY CAULIFLOWER MUFFINS

Steps:

• PREP/PREPARE
• If you do not wish to go through the steps of making the cauliflower rice, you can purchase it in the frozen section of your local grocer. FYI: I have made these muffins both ways, and could not discern any taste difference between fresh and frozen.
• Gather your Ingredients (mise en place)
• Get a nice medium head of cauliflower. You will need enough to make three cups of rice.
• Cut up the florets, and rinse in cold water.
• Place into a food-processor fitted with an S-blade.
• Give the florets a few 1-second pulses until they look like grains of rice.
• Measure out three cups, and reserve.
• Chef's Note: If you have more than 3 cups, you can always freeze the excess, and use in another recipe.
• Add the oil to a large sauté pan over medium heat.
• Add the salt, and onions and celery to the pan, and cook until they begin to soften, about 3 - 4 minutes.
• Add the baked garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 60 seconds.
• Add the cauliflower rice, and cook (stirring frequently), until tender, about 3 - 4 minutes.
• Add the paprika red pepper flakes, and oregano.
• Stir and cook for an additional 60 seconds.
• Remove the pan from the heat, and allow to cool for 20 minutes.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, and then add the parmesan and cheddar cheeses, flour, and baking powder. Then, add the cooled cauliflower mixture.
• Combine the mixture, and then add the Frank's Hot Sauce, to taste.
• Chef's Note: I truly love the vinegary taste of Frank's. I do not think any other hot sauce is quite like it. For this recipe, I like to add a few healthy dashes.
• Add the mixture to muffin cups, and then place into a muffin tin. Add a bit more parmesan to the tops.
• Bake until they firm up, and begin to slightly brown, about 20 - 24 minutes.
• Chef's Note: Allow them to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
• PLATE/PRESENT
• Serve as a side dish with fish, chicken, beef, or pork. Or you could just wrap them up, and eat them as a snack (they taste great cold). Enjoy.
• Keep the faith, and keep cooking.