Karolina Kołodziejczak on Unsplash
Ah, yes, cauliflower: broccoli’s unloved, anemic brother. The Luigi to the Mario (though, we won’t take any Luigi slander, thank you very much). The little veggie that couldn’t, only offering a weird consistency and no flavor whatsoever. Well, we have some startling news for everyone—we actually love cauliflower, and we think it gets a bad rap from home cooks everywhere.
Of course, if you just leave it to its lonesome, it won’t taste good! Broccoli doesn’t taste good on its own either. Brussels sprouts are just as terrible (and make the house smell like a zoo). Don’t even get us started on leafy greens. But cauliflower’s the one who catches all the heat, so we thought it was high time to introduce a few recipes that show you what this vegetable is all about.
Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower
We love garlic. We love Parmesan. And we especially love recipes that are ready in under an hour. When you pop cauliflower in the oven, you never go back, and while roasted florets are pretty good, nothing tops this classic combo.
You’ll need some EVOO and a few other ingredients, like fresh parsley, cracked pepper, and a pinch a salt. Generously coat your chopped cauliflower with your seasoning and toss it in the oven for about 20 minutes. In the end, you’re left with a nice charred head that packs all kinds of flavor.
If you want a tangy finish, you can always squeeze fresh lemon juice over your finished dish. The zest complements the light seasoning, and it provides just enough punch for anyone at the table. It makes a pretty versatile side dish, too.
Buffalo Cauliflower
DC Central Kitchen on Wikimedia
Hey, we all like Buffalo sauce on our wings—but not everyone wants the calories attached. Lucky for you, there’s a cheat meal that has all the flavor you know and love without all that pesky fat. Oh, and it carries a solid crunch!
You’ll need a few classic ingredients for this one, like flour, honey, hot sauce, and spices. Once you cut the cauliflower into florets, you’ll just need to coat the pieces with your handmade sauce. Just like the Parmesan recipe, this one also takes about 20 minutes to reach that perfect, crispy texture in the oven.
Now, we won’t lie: this one carries more calories than your average cauliflower plate. That’s the bad news. The good news is that the number is nowhere close to what you’d see in a basket of pub wings, so you can chow down without worrying too much about it.
Cauliflower Pasta
Hang on, don’t click away just yet! We know that cauliflower in a pasta sounds sacrilegious, but it’s actually not as bad as it seems. In fact, those toasted florets actually provide the right amount of crunch to your plate, especially when you season them the right way.
It’s not so much what kind of pasta you use; just about any noodle will do. However, you want specific seasoning to bring out the best of your cauliflower, and that includes salt, pepper, garlic cloves, and fresh parsley. Of course, we can’t forget the cheese or lemon zest either!
If you want even more crunch, you can make your own breadcrumbs and toss the florets in your own mixture before adding them to your pasta. The point is to give a scrumptious, crumbly topping to your noodles, and when you add red pepper flakes to the mix, you’ll get a bit of heat, too.
Cauliflower Steaks
Red meat not your thing? Don’t you worry, vegetable-lovers—cauliflower works just as well as a seasoned veggie, and with the right mixture, you’ll have something plenty savory to boot. The best part about these guys is that they’re easy to make, too, ready in about 40 minutes (including prep time)!
Rather than chop the head into florets, for this recipe, you want to cut them lengthwise into steaks. You can pan-fry them or even chuck ‘em in the oven, but it all depends on how crispy you want them. Luckily, you won’t need anything more than a bit of oil and those classic ingredients we keep talking about! Don’t be afraid to add a pinch of paprika or some coriander, either.
One of our favorite parts of this dish is just how colorful it is. Golden florets topped with fresh, vibrant parsley? And the taste is somehow even more impressive? Yeah, you can count us in for this vegetarian-safe menu option.
Cauliflower drew the short end of the stick, left behind in grocery stores for its “better” cousins. Well, no more! This vegetable is sorely misused, and with just a sprinkle of seasoning, you can turn that drab side into something truly special. Don’t be afraid to get creative—experiment with your favorite toppings and sauces, and give this nutritious veggie the chance it deserves.
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