The remarkable versatility of the humble cauliflower
The humble cauliflower has undergone a stunning transformation in recent years, and the days when it used to be considered a boring (and often soggy) vegetable are long gone. This humble relative of broccoli belongs to the family of cruciferous vegetables that traditionally, were simply boiled and served plain. Today, cauliflower is being used as a super-healthy alternative to many carbohydrate-laden foods because of its simple versatility.
It’s also full of phytonutrients and antioxidants that help boost your natural detox system. It has Vitamin C, manganese, and folate that help lower risks of oxidative stress in cells, a known risk factor for cancer.
The internet is jam-packed with creative ways to prepare cauliflower, and it’s so versatile that you can eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and even desserts! Check out these awesome cauliflower ideas.
Breakfast
Make some yummy carb-free savoury pancakes for your breakfast by using cauliflower as a substitute to flour. Just blitz one small head of cauliflower in the food processor until it resembles rice then mix together with 2 large eggs, ½ cup of grated cheese, 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan and a little garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cook over a medium heat for around 5 minutes each side.
Lunch
Try this Mexican cauliflower rice with a twist for your lunch, and it will never be boring again. Process your cauliflower until it reaches a rice consistency then remove any excess liquid by placing it in a clean dish towel and giving it a good twist. Sauté garlic, onion, and cumin in olive oil, then add the cauliflower. Season with salt and pepper and stir occasionally while cooking for about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and combine all the ingredients.
That’s your basic cauliflower rice recipe but you can jazz it up by adding some shredded cooked chicken, drained black beans, corn kernels, chopped tomatoes, jalapeños and fresh coriander. If you’re a cheese lover, try topping it with a couple of cups of grated cheese then cover and let the cheese melt for about 2 minutes. Serve your Mexican rice with lemon wedges on the side.
Dinner
Just because you’re cutting out the carbs doesn’t mean you have to cut out pasta too. You guessed it – this cheats version uses the versatile cauliflower instead of traditional carb-loaded pasta to make a delicious Italian baked Ziti.
Just cut one cauliflower head into very small florets, blanch, and drain well. Cook garlic, onion, and red capsicum with extra virgin olive oil in a large pan then add ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the meat isn’t pink - about 6 minutes. Add a couple of tablespoons of tomato paste and 1 teaspoon of dried oregano and cook for a further 2 minutes before adding 1 can of crushed tomatoes and simmering for 10 to 15 minutes - making sure you give it a stir occasionally. Mix the sauce with the cooked cauliflower and combine evenly.
To assemble, place half of the cauliflower sauce mixture in the bottom of a large baking dish then add half a large tub of ricotta, a cup of mozzarella and ¼ cup of parmesan. Repeat with another layer of each, then bake for about 25 minutes or until the cheeses melt and the top of your Ziti is golden. Serve with some fresh chopped basil on top.
Snack
The whole family will absolutely fall in love with this tasty cauliflower popcorn recipe that’s a healthy alternative to potato chips. Break a medium head of cauliflower into popcorn size pieces. Toss in a zip-lock bag with a little olive oil and a spice mixture of salt, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and ground turmeric. Spread the mixture into a baking pan and sprinkle with parmesan cheese then roast uncovered for about 25 to 30 minutes in a 225oC oven. Serve and enjoy a movie with the family.
Don’t forget dessert
Cauliflower as a pizza base for dessert? Why not! Indulge your sweet tooth without the guilt with this Paleo Chocolate Pizza with Cocoa Cauliflower Crust. The delicious crust features a combination of cocoa powder, almond flour, dark chocolate, maple syrup and coconut oil, and it’s topped with almond butter, sliced banana, and shredded coconut. This really is the ultimate healthy dessert you’ve been looking for all your life! View the full recipe here. You’re welcome.
Ditch those carbs!
There you have it! These are just a few ways for you to incorporate cauliflower into your diet and ditch those carbs! If you want to go all out and buy some new kitchen equipment to help you whip up your culinary cauliflower creations, we can lend a little financial hand to make it happen. Just check out our cash loans from $1,000 to find out how quick and easy it is to get your hands on some extra funds. Once a loan is approved, we can usually deposit the cash into your bank account within a few hours - so you can go ahead and indulge with lots of cauliflower goodness soon!