6 Ways To Cook Cauliflower.
Cauliflower is a healthy and tasty addition to any meal. Learn how to cook it six different ways with these easy-to-follow recipes.
It is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways. It can be roasted, steamed, boiled, air fried or microwaved.
Roasting and air-frying cauliflower brings out its natural sweetness and gives it a crispy texture, while steaming, cooking in the microwave or boiling it helps retain its nutrients.
Experiment with different cooking methods to find your favourite way to enjoy this nutritious vegetable.
It is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways. It can be roasted, steamed, boiled, air fried or microwaved.
Roasting and air-frying cauliflower brings out its natural sweetness and gives it a crispy texture, while steaming, cooking in the microwave or boiling it helps retain its nutrients.
Experiment with different cooking methods to find your favourite way to enjoy this nutritious vegetable.
Ingredients
- 1 cauliflower
- water
- salt
Instructions
- Prepare Cauliflower for Cooking.
- Rinse the cauliflower thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Cut off the leaves and trim the stem so that the cauliflower sits flat on a cutting board.
- Cut the cauliflower into florets by slicing through the stem and separating the head into bite-sized pieces.
- How to Roast Cauliflower
One of the easiest methods is by roasting it.
If you’re looking for an easy, delicious way to cook cauliflower, look no further!
Roasting cauliflower brings out its natural sweetness and enhances its nutty flavour.
It also gives it a crispy texture on the outside while keeping it tender on the inside.
Plus, it's a simple and easy way to prepare cauliflower that requires minimal effort and yields delicious results.
Follow this step-by-step guide on how to roast cauliflower and become an expert in no time. - Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the florets into bite-sized pieces and spread them onto the baking sheet.
- Drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat evenly.
- Roast for 20 minutes then remove from the oven and enjoy!
- How to Steam Cauliflower
Elevate your everyday cooking skills with this step-by-step guide on how to steam cauliflower properly—leaving you with delicious and healthy results every time!
Steaming cauliflower is a great way to preserve its nutrients and flavor.
It also helps to soften the cauliflower without making it mushy, making it easier to eat and digest.
Additionally, steaming cauliflower is a healthier cooking method as it doesn't require added oils or fats. - Steaming in a Pan
This is the most common way steam cauliflower.
It results in great tasting cauliflower. - Bring about 6cm (¼") of water to a boil in a large frying pan.
- Add about ½ teaspoon salt and the trimmed and cleaned cauliflower florets.
- Cover the pan and steam until as tender as you like (about 3 minutes for crisp-tender and up to 8 minutes for completely cooked, soft florets).
- Make sure to drain any water from cauliflower before using.
- Steaming in a Steamer Basket
This is a classic method of steaming vegetables.
The cauliflower is placed in a steamer basket or an insert over boiling water. - Bring about 2.5 cm (1") of water to a boil in the bottom of a pot into which your steamer basket or insert fits.
- Put trimmed and cleaned cauliflower florets in the steamer basket and set the basket over the boiling water.
- Cover the pot and steam until the cauliflower is tender to the bite, about 3 minutes for crisp-tender and up to to 8 minutes for fully tender florets.
- How to Boil Cauliflower.
Boiling cauliflower on the stove is simple with this foolproof method.
Boiling cauliflower is a common cooking method that helps to soften the vegetable and make it more tender.
It can also help to remove any bitterness from the cauliflower.
Additionally, it can make it easier to mash or puree for use in recipes like cauliflower soup or mashed cauliflower.
Here's our step-by-step instructions to enjoy delicious and nutritious dishes. - Place trimmed and cleaned cauliflower florets in a large pot.
- Fill pot with water so that florets are covered.
- Add 1 tsp salt.
- Bring to boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for for 5-7 minutes.
- How to Fry Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that can be transformed into a crispy and flavourful snack.
Follow these simple steps to fry cauliflower to perfection.
Fried cauliflower has become a popular alternative to chicken wings for those looking for a vegetarian or healthier option.
It can be seasoned and coated in a variety of ways, making it a versatile and tasty snack or appetizer.
Plus, it's a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet.
When selecting cauliflower for frying, choose a head that is firm and dense with no brown spots or blemishes. The florets should be tightly packed and the leaves should be fresh and green. - Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces, making sure they are all roughly the same size.
- In a bowl, mix together flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you like. Slowly add water or beer to the mixture, whisking until you have a smooth batter.
- Dip each piece of cauliflower into the batter, making sure it is fully coated.
Shake off any excess batter before frying. - Heat the oil Heat a large pot or deep fryer with oil to 375°F.
You can use vegetable oil, canola oil, or any other high-heat oil. - Carefully drop the cauliflower into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pot.
Fry for 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. - Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried cauliflower from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Season with salt and any other seasonings you like, such as garlic powder or paprika. - How to Cook Cauliflower In The Microwave
Craving some delicious cauliflower?
Cooking it in the microwave requires minimal effort and time!
Microwaving cauliflower is a quick and easy way to cook it while retaining its nutrients.
It also helps to preserve its texture and flavour.
Additionally, microwaving cauliflower can be a healthier option than boiling or steaming it, as it requires less water and therefore retains more of its nutrients.
Learn this simple cooking method to make a perfect cauliflower dish. - Place cauliflower florets in a large microwave-safe bowl with enough water to just cover the bottom of the bowl.
- Cover bowl loosely with waxed paper or a paper towel.
- Steam cauliflower in microwave on high until tender, 4 to 5 minutes.
- Drain.
- How to Cook Cauliflower In The Air Fryer
Cooking cauliflower in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods, as it requires little to no oil.
It also results in a crispy texture and delicious flavour, making it a great option for a healthy snack or side dish.
Additionally, cooking cauliflower in an air fryer is quick and easy, taking only a fraction of the time compared to traditional oven roasting. - Preheat your air fryer to 190°C (375°F).
- Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets.
- In a bowl, mix the cauliflower with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Place the cauliflower in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Check the cauliflower for doneness by piercing it with a fork. It should be tender but not mushy.
- If desired, sprinkle with additional seasonings such as garlic powder, paprika, or Parmesan cheese.
- Serve hot and enjoy your crispy and delicious air fryer cauliflower!
Tips for air frying:
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this can prevent the cauliflower from cooking evenly.
- Experiment with different seasonings and sauces to find your favorite flavour combinations.
- If you prefer a softer texture, you can add a few minutes to the cooking time.
Notes
7 Nutritious Ways to Use Cauliflower In Your Meals
Get healthy by adding more cauliflower to your dishes!Discover seven nutritious ways to use this versatile veggie in all types of meals.
- Roasting:
Roasting is a great way to bring out the flavor in cauliflower and still get some good nutrition.
Roast cauliflower with some olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic and parmesan for a delicious side dish or topping on salads or pizzas. - Mashed Potatoes:
Cauliflower can be used as an alternative to regular mashed potatoes for a healthier option.
Steamed or boiled cauliflower florets are run through a food processor until smooth.
Then you add your favourite seasonings such as butter, milk and cheese for a tasty twist on mashed potatoes! - Soup:
Cauliflower makes for an amazing soup!
Add some onion, celery and garlic with stock to boiled cauliflower for an easy creamy soup that is full of flavour.
You can also control the consistency by adding more or less liquid as needed! - Pizza Crust:
Cauliflower pizza crusts are becoming a popular alternative to traditional doughy pizzas. Cauliflower provides the perfect binding agent while giving the pizza crust added nutrition bonus points!
Simply mix grated cauliflower florets with egg and dried herbs then bake on parchment paper at 200°C/400°F until golden! - Rice Substitute:
Riced cauliflower is very versatile in dishes like risotto, stir frys and other dishes that require rice because it has virtually no carbs compared to regular white rice! All you have to do is cut the head of cauliflower into florets throw them in the food processor till they resemble grain size pieces - thats it, instant low carb rice substitute. - Buffalo Bites:
Turn your regular buffalo wings into something healthier by using cauliflower instead!
Just cut up some florets toss them in buffalo sauce and bake them for about 25 minutes until golden brown perfection- its just that simple!
Serve with your favourite ranch dip or blue cheese dressing and line up those napkins! - Smoothies:
You can even incorporate cauliflower into your morning smoothies due its sweet mild taste when blended correctly you wont even realize its there,
Plus it adds lots of nutrients like Vitamin C which helps boost immunity levels too! So whip up some apples bananas blueberries spinach and raw frozen cauliflowers next time you need a cool pick me up drink- yummmmy!
Quick and Easy Recipes
If you're looking for quick and easy cauliflower recipes to add to your repertoire, look no further!Try Cauliflower Rice as a delicious alternative to traditional rice.
Simply pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor until they are the size of grains of rice, and sauté with oil and seasonings of your choice.
This tasty side dish is not only low in calories and carbs, it's also gluten-free! Cauliflower cheese is an incredibly popular classic that the whole family will enjoy.
It features cooked cauliflower topped with a delicious cheese sauce, which is baked in the oven until it turns golden.
Add bacon for an extra level of flavour and crunch. This Cauliflower cheese recipe is sure to become a firm favourite for many generations! Another great recipe is roasted garlic cauliflower - simply mix olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, paprika, salt and pepper together in a small bowl.
Add the seasoned mixture to the cut-up cauliflower and spread on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes then enjoy!