Cauliflower: A Versatile Food in the Kitchen

In the kitchen, the following scenario can quickly become routine. We cook the same recipes, the food the same way, and often it affects our motivation. The meals are all a bit alike, and that makes us reluctant to cook again.

A good trick to counter this monotony is to use food in different ways. To be creative in the way we cook them. It makes us discover them from a new angle, adds a little challenge, and makes meal preparation more pleasant.

Today, I suggest you rediscover the cauliflower and the different ways possible to cook it.
You will see that there are several!

1) Mashed

Cauliflower puree is a perfect alternative to the one made of potatoes. You can also combine the two and create a new version!

This puree is very simple to make: You have to boil the bouquets of cauliflower until they are very tender. Then you can add caramelized onion, a little bit of vegan milk, vegan butter, a garlic clove or garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You put everything in the blender. Here you have your mash ready.

It goes well with grilled vegetables and crispy tofu.

You can also use it for your shepherd's pie or any other dish that usually requires potatoes.

2) In small pieces to replace the rice

Another wonderful way to use cauliflower is to replace or complement rice.

You only have to put bouquets of cauliflower in a food processor and reduce them into small pieces reminiscent of rice. Then, just reheat or grill it a bit in a pan.

With this method, you could replace half the rice in a fried rice recipe with this cauliflower, and it would go unnoticed. It also has the advantage of adding servings of vegetables to your meal.

3) In a sauce

To add vegetables to a sauce without appearing: add boiled and mashed cauliflowers.

For example, it could be delicious in a vegan alfredo sauce. Put in the blender: cashews soaked in water for 12-24 hours, a little bit of vegetable broth, vegan milk, nutritional yeast, dijon mustard, mashed cauliflower, and salt/pepper. You reduce everything to a smooth sauce, and you can then serve on pasta.

It would also be delicious in a vegan rosé sauce. You make or take a tomato sauce, you add a little vegetable cream and mashed cauliflower, season it, and your sauce is ready.

4) In a smoothie

Did you know that frozen cauliflowers are great in a smoothie? They have a very subtle taste, add a cold aspect to the smoothie in addition to making an additional portion of vegetables.

You can use them in a fruit smoothie as much as in a vegetable one.

5) Steak

It might sound strange to some, but cauliflower steaks do exist and are delicious. It is a change from eating them only in bouquets, and it is a perfect accompaniment to a protein or for receiving friends or family for supper.

The principle is straightforward: It is actually only a large slice of cauliflower very well seasoned (this is where the secret lies). We cut slices of cauliflower, season them with several spices of our choice and then bake it at 450F for about 15 to 20 minutes. It can then be served with a sauce: brown sauce, tahini sauce, tomato sauce, harissa sauce, etc.

It's also a good choice of recipes to make on the BBQ. Perfect to accompany vegetable skewer, corn, or other grills.

6) In the oatmeal

By reducing it into small pieces with a food processor, it can then be added to your oatmeal during cooking.

Also add spices (cinnamon, vanilla, etc.), cacao powder, a little bit of maple syrup, dried fruit, protein powder, or nuts to your oatmeal. You will see that the taste of cauliflower is barely noticeable.

Do you see how versatile this vegetable can be in the kitchen? Just be creative, and don't hesitate to try it in different recipes. It is often when we leave our culinary comfort zone that we make great discoveries.