Cauliflower is a super versatile vegetable—mild in flavor and great for roasting, steaming, mashing, or even turning into “rice” or pizza crust! Here’s a breakdown of ways to use it:
Basic Preparation Tips
- Wash & Trim: Remove the leaves and cut the cauliflower into florets.
- Cooking Methods:
- Roasting: Toss florets with olive oil, salt, pepper, and optional spices (like paprika or garlic powder). Roast at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden and tender.
- Steaming: Steam florets for 5–7 minutes until tender but not mushy. Great for a simple side.
- Sautéing: Cook with olive oil, garlic, and spices in a skillet for 5–7 minutes.
- Mashing: Boil or steam florets, then mash with butter, salt, and pepper for a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes.
- Cauliflower Rice: Pulse raw florets in a food processor until rice-sized. Sauté in a pan for 5 minutes for a rice substitute.
- Cauliflower Pizza Crust: Mix riced cauliflower with egg, cheese, and seasonings, then bake into a low-carb crust.
Flavor Pairings
- Spices & Herbs: Garlic, paprika, cumin, curry powder, thyme, rosemary, chili flakes.
- Cheese: Parmesan, cheddar, or feta work great roasted or mashed.
- Sauces: Cheese sauce, buffalo sauce, or tahini drizzle.
If you want, I can give a super simple 15-minute roasted cauliflower recipe that’s crispy, flavorful, and addictive. Do you want me to do that?
