If there is one vegetable I’d be happy to eat day in day out for the rest of my life, it would be cauliflower.
Steamed, roasted, pan fried- Any way you cook it, I’d eat it – with a smile on my face and a happy stomach full of nutrients. (Seriously, roasted cauliflower is one of my absolute favourite foods!)
Hailing from the same family as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and kale (to name a few), this crucifer is a a high fiber, high nutrient vegetable. Boasting admirable levels of vitamin C, vitamin K and folate, it’s a nutritional punch in natural form.
While I’m easily content with the mainstream ways of eating cauliflower, little did I know how versatile this vegetable truly is. Thanks for the strong paleolithic style of eating, cauliflower has truly shown its versatility- from being a substitute for rice, made into a crust to recreate your favourite pizzas and even sneakily hidden in desserts! For those of you actively avoiding grains or following a low carbohydrate diet, cauliflower has allowed you to enjoy those foods you probably perceived impossible- with just some creative tweaks.
1. Cheesy Cauliflower Soup with Asparagus Pesto via Peas and Crayons
Cauliflower cheese was one of my absolute favourite childhood sides…mainly because I would scrap most of the cheese for myself leaving the (undressed) cauliflower for my parents. Now? This soup has them both blended together for the delectible taste with every spoonful. The asparagus pesto? Consider that an added bonus.
2. Baked ‘Cheesy’ Cauliflower via The Healthy Maven
I have friends who are Vegan and they often proclaim how they never eat cheese. I have a friend who lives gluten free and considers gluten free pasta to taste like lies. My solution? This recipe which can keep them both satisfied.
3. ‘Everything Bagel’ Cauliflower rolls via Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
No, you’re eyes are not deceiving you. EVERYTHING BAGEL using cauliflower. For any low carb, paleo or grain free champion out there- This recipe will be your new go to bread. And you’ll even convert those who don’t love it yet. Trust me. I did it.
4. Cauliflower Chocolate cake via Chocolate Covered Katie
No, you’re eyes aren’t deceiving you again. Who would have thought chocolate cake could contain cauliflower? This recipe not only includes cauliflower, but it’s a chock full of healthy ingredients, you could practically consider this one of your five-a-day vegetable target.
5. Creamy Cauliflower Sauce via Pinch of Yum
Nothing beats a pasta that is smothered with a creamy alfredo sauce. By swapping out the cream, cheese and butter, this cauliflower based version would taste epic with a pasta….and you can be EXTRA generous with the sauce.
6. Creamy Cauliflower Garlic Rice via Pinch of Yum
Not only used for pasta, the creamy cauliflower sauce can be drenched in rice to create a comforting meal – without the added heaviness of a typical cream sauce. Do I hear seconds? Just me?
7. Cauliflower Crust Pizza via Ifoodreal
Perhaps the most famous ‘unconventional’ use for cauliflower is the classic pizza crust. Get a serving of vegetables in before you even add the toppings. A low carbohydrate alternative which means: let’s add potatoes to the topping!
8. Coconut Cauliflower Pancakes via Kissmybroccoli
No, for the third time, you’re eyes are NOT deceiving you. Start your breakfast with … cauliflower? You bet. Without being able to taste it but with an added nutrient and volume punch – these fluffy pancakes would have you all deceived!
So next time you’re at the supermarket and see a cauliflowe r- use your imagination. It probably has or will happen.
Cauliflower froyo anyone? Okay maybe that’s pushing it.
Featured photo credit: Arman Liew at thebigmansworld.com via media.lifehack.org
Featured photo credit: Arman Liew from thebigmansworld.com via media.lifehack.org
