7 Easy Cauliflower Recipes: Ideas for Appetizers and Entrées

Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable that’s easy to find in the grocery store year-round. It’s a member of the mustard family and is a close relative to broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Cauliflower has tight, edible florets encased in leaves that resemble those of a cabbage.

Cauliflower, which is high in fiber and vitamin C, is milder in taste than broccoli. You can mash or finely chop the cauliflower florets and use them as a low-carb replacement in dishes such as rice or mashed potatoes. There are also numerous veggie and vegan cauliflower recipes, ranging from cauliflower steaks and cauliflower soup to cauliflower rice.

Cauliflower cooks quickly and can be relatively forgiving, making it a good option for a fast appetizer or weeknight dinner, or for a sheet pan meal on the weekend. Here are seven cauliflower recipes to try:

1. 1. Aloo gobi: This traditional Indian dish, also referred to as cauliflower and potato curry, is a simple vegan cauliflower dish. Aloo gobi originated in Northern India and has many variations, but aloo gobi recipes always contain potatoes and cauliflower florets that you sauté in spiced oil. Cumin and turmeric are the main spices and give the dish its yellow color, and you can garnish the finished meal with cilantro (sometimes called coriander) for additional flavor. If you want to make this crispy cauliflower dish at home, try making this quick and easy aloo gobi recipe.
2. 2. Cauliflower rice: Also called riced cauliflower, cauliflower rice (or cauli rice) is a low-carbohydrate, gluten-free dish. Rinse and dry the raw cauliflower, then pulse large cauliflower florets in a food processor until they resemble the size and texture of rice grains. Use the riced cauliflower in place of white rice in many rice recipes, such as crispy fried rice, burritos, or parmesan risotto. It can even replace couscous, quinoa, or pasta, or you can use it in a gratin cauliflower casserole topped with alfredo sauce or cheese sauce. Try this cauliflower rice recipe.
3. 3. Cauliflower salad: A cauliflower salad combines the vegetable with herbs and spices. Add sea salt, lemon zest, and parmesan cheese to add a deep flavor to a vegetarian cauliflower salad. Utilize raw cauliflower for a crunch and a cauliflower puree as a garnish for a creamy texture. Try Gordan Ramsay’s cauliflower salad recipe.
4. 4. Cauliflower soup: Blend cauliflower with milk, stock, and herbs and spices like paprika and black pepper in a blender or food processor for a thick and creamy soup. Use fresh cauliflower or a leftover whole roasted cauliflower to create a fast weeknight meal. Garnish with pine nuts, cilantro, bread crumbs, or a squeeze of tahini sauce. Try cooking up a pot using Gordon Ramsay’s creamy cauliflower soup recipe.
5. 5. Oven-roasted cauliflower: Roast cauliflower, which cooks in less than 25 minutes, is an easy way to create a crunchy, savory side dish. Bake it on a sheet pan with salt, pepper, and olive oil until the exterior becomes caramelized and golden brown. For extra-crispy cauliflower, serve it warm. Use leftover cauliflower in cauliflower tacos, cauliflower salad, or cauliflower soup. Try this recipe for roasted cauliflower.
6. 6. Roasted cauliflower with harissa chili oil: Make a savory cauliflower side dish by blanching cauliflower in boiling water, then roasting it on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. This will result in a vegetable with a creamy interior and a crispy exterior—add garlic, red pepper, and harissa to complete the spicy and flavorful dish. Make your own version of Yotam Ottolenghi’s roasted cauliflower with harissa chili oil.
7. 7. Vegetarian cauliflower steaks: You can cut cauliflower into thick, steak-style slices and grill or pan-fry it. For a meaty substitute, season the cauliflower steaks with salt and black pepper and place them in a hot pan with brown butter. Baste the cauliflower steaks with butter, just like you would a rib-eye, until they are golden brown. For a vegan dish, use olive instead of butter. Try Gordon Ramsay’s vegetarian entree recipe for cauliflower steak.

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