Roasting isn't usually the first cooking method you think of for cauliflower but the results are quite delicious. The florets are cut into thick slices and tossed with extra-virgin olive oil and herbs. Wherever the flat surfaces come into contact with the hot roasting pan, a deep browning occurs that results in a sweet, nutty flavor.
Nonfat milk and a bit of sharp Cheddar combine to make a rich sauce without all the butter usually found in gratins.
Biryanis are rice-based casseroles that combine a saucy meat, vegetable or legume curry with basmati rice, whole spices, nuts and raisins. This particular dish is a nutritional powerhouse, thanks to the mustard greens and chickpeas. Look for the specialty spices—cardamom pods, saffron and garam masala—in the spice section of well-stocked supermarkets or online at penzeys.com.
» Basmati Rice & Curry Casserole (Chana aur Sarson ka Saag Biryani)
Start your meal off with a bowl of this satisfying, easy cheesy cauliflower soup.
Cauliflower roasted in big chunks is delicious and the quick blue cheese vinaigrette makes it special. Try it as a side dish for steak.
Tangy lemon and briny olives perk up simple steamed cauliflower.
This Italian-inspired saute of cauliflower and tomatoes spiked with anchovies, garlic and vinegar pairs well with white fish or roasted chicken.
Who would’ve thought that lowly cauliflower, so often hidden under a blanket of cheese sauce, could be elevated to “hot veggie” status? Cauliflower is making a comeback on the menus of family-style restaurants and high-brow eateries alike as an alternative to the higher-carb potato.
Boasting a mere 29 calories per cup, and a rich source of vitamin C, vitamin K, folate and fiber, cauliflower deserves its newfound status as a go-to vegetable for side dishes, salads and as part of flavorful stews and main dishes.
In Creamy Cauliflower Puree, it produces the creamy texture of mashed potatoes; Roasted Florets yields a nutty flavor; and it adds plenty of crunch when eaten raw in Creamy Chopped Cauliflower Salad. We’ve got a variety of recipes to choose from, including a lightened cheese-sauce-topped Skillet Cauliflower Gratin—still a favorite way to enjoy cauliflower!