Tag: cauliflower

Cauliflower Risotto with Lime and Sumac

A while back (yes, WAY before COVID hit), I had some work friends over for Shabbat dinner. And before you ask, yes, indeed, they wanted to come enjoy Shabbat with us! So of course I had to spend time putting together a great menu. And my cauliflower rice with coconut milk and lime came to the forefront of my mind. This rice dish is more of a risotto since the coconut milk gives it a rich and creamy base to soak up all of the cauliflower rice and the lime adds a pop of acidity and a brightness of flavor.

But, when I was gifted a copy of Adeena Sussman’s new cookbook “Sababa“, which I am completely obsessed with, I got a TON of inspiration from all of her totally approachable recipes for modern Israeli food. And no, I am not getting paid to promote her book, I just love it THAT much. But it was her love of sumac made me think, “why not add in some sumac into my cauliflower risotto? That’ll be a great addition with the acidity of the lime – plus it’ll look pretty in the dish”. And there ya, go, the dish was born.

Su-WHAT?

Sumac is a fuchsia-colored (sometimes dark reddish) powdered spice that comes from the crushed seeds of the sumac shrub. It’s used primarily in Middle Eastern dishes and has a distinctly tart, lemony flavor. If you’re ever in the Shuk market anywhere in Israel, you’ll see heaping mounds of Sumac alongside many other spices, piled high into enormous peaks – a truly memorable experience!

Whether you’re trying to cut back on carbs or want a lighter side dish to serve alongside chicken or fish, this cauliflower risotto with lime and sumac would pair perfectly and it comes to together so quickly, in under 30 minutes.

I also added sliced green onions and pomegranate seeds on top, not only for a pretty garnish but the sharpness of the green onions balances with the sweetness of the pomegranate and it all just works so well together. But feel free to experiment! Try sliced toasted almonds, or some sliced dried apricots. Once the dish is complete, I always add one last extra squeeze of lime, just to brighten up all of the flavors and marry everything together for the perfect bite.

Or…you could do a total 180 and make this a sweet dish!  Adding some sugar and cinnamon to the cauliflower rice and coconut milk or even garnishing with sliced almonds and chocolate chips. WUT?? It’s basically a coconut chocolate rice pudding. BAM. Now THAT is what I love about using versatile ingredients like cauliflower and coconut! And honestly, using the cauliflower won’t be too overpowering, if you add sugar and some cinnamon and vanilla extract. You know me, I’m always encouraging ya’ll to experiment and play with your food in the kitchen.

Enjoy, stay safe and happy eating!

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Cauliflower Risotto with lime and sumac
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
 
Course: Side Dish
Servings: 4 people
Author: Rachel Katzman
Ingredients
  • 1 12 oz Bag of Frozen Cauliflower rice, thawed I love using the Trader Joe's brand - I keep a bunch stocked in my freezer!
  • 1 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 13.5 oz Can of Full-fat Coconut Milk Same thing here - I keep a bunch in my pantry. I also love Trader Joe's brand
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Pepper
  • 1/4 tsp Dried Sumac
  • 1 Lime, with zest and juice
  • 3 Green onions, sliced thinly
  • 3-4 tbsp Pomegranate seeds Add more if you like, this is just about a handful
Instructions

  1. Heat a large saute pan with a small drizzle of olive oil

  2. Add the cauliflower rice and the coconut milk (add both the milk and the coconut cream that collects on the top of the can) on medium heat.cook for about 15-20 minutes until thick and creamy

  3. Add in the salt, pepper, sumac and lime zest and juice and cook for about 15-20 minutes until thick and creamy

  4. Garnish with sliced green onions and pomegranate seeds

 

Chicken Fried Cauliflower Steaks With Chimichurri

Chicken Fried Cauliflower SteakChicken Fried Cauliflower Steaks With Chimichurri

Fried Cauliflower is my go-to side dish at any pizza shop. That being said, I am always disappointed when it is made using a breading instead of a batter.  To take this humble side dish to the next level I used cauliflower steaks to produce a vegetarian riff on chicken fried steak. A cauliflower steak is a 1/2″ vertical cross section taken from the middle of the cauliflower to produce a large flat piece with lots of nooks and crannies. Those nooks and crannies create lots of surface area for the flour dredge and batter to grab on to and become delicious crispy bits. This recipe works well with florets (smaller flower shaped pieces) as well.  If are looking for a side dish, then definitely use florets instead.

ChimichurriChimichurri

Originally, I thought about smothering this dish in a mushroom gravy, which would be traditional for a chicken fried steak. I decided instead to go with Chimichurri to brighten up the dish and give it a pop of color. Chimichurri is a great sauce from Argentina usually served on grilled meat. It pairs the earthy flavors of fresh herbs with the sharp flavors of chili, garlic, onions, and vinegar and is great for taming rich and heavy dishes. I used cilantro in my chimichurri, which is the leaf from the the plant that coriander comes from. Many people have a predisposition to disliking cilantro. If you are in that population, parsley is a great substitute, and if chimichurri is not your thing, then definitely try it with mushroom gravy.

 

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Chicken Fried Cauliflower Steak
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Chicken Fried Cauliflower Steak
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 

This a great take on fried cauliflower and a riff on chicken fried steak.  The second dip into the flour gives this dish on an extra layer of crunch and the seltzer helps keep the batter light. This recipe works just as well for smaller pieces of cauliflower as it does with large steaks.

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cauliflower
Servings: 4 people
Author: Daniel Peikes
Ingredients
  • 1 Head Cauliflower The larger the better
  • 4 Cups All-Purpose Flour Divided in half
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 2.5 Cups Seltzer
  • 1 tbsp Dried Cayenne Pepper Optional for a little kick
  • 1 tbsp Paprika Smoked if you have it
  • Salt and Pepper To Taste
  • Chimichurri Sauce
  • Vegetable Oil for Frying
Instructions

  1. Add 1/2 inch of vegetable oil to a heavy frying pan or cast iron skillet and place over medium heat. Make sure the heat is not too high otherwise the outside of the cauliflower will burn and the middle will will be tough.

  2. In a bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir to combine.

  3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with 2 cups of the seltzer. The add the other two cups of flour and the dried cayenne pepper and stir to create a batter.  It should be thin. If it seems thick, add the other 1/2 cup of the seltzer.

  4. Vertically slice four 1/2" pieces from the middle of the cauliflower. Dust each piece in the flour mixture and then shake off the excess, then dip the cauliflower in the batter and let any excess drip away for a few seconds, and finally dip back in the flour one more time.

  5. Carefully add the cauliflower steaks to the pan, being careful not to splash the hot oil.  Make sure not to crowd the pan, so work in batches. If your pieces are large, do one at time.  Fry on each side until golden brown and delicious.

  6. Plate, drizzle on chimichurri, and serve immediately.

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Chimichurri
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Chimichurri Sauce
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 

Chimichurri is a great sauce from Argentina usually served on grilled meat. It consists of earthy flavors of herbs combined with sharp flavors of chili, garlic, onions, and vinegar and is great for taming rich and heavy dishes.

Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Argentine, Latin, South American
Keyword: Chimichurri
Servings: 2 Cups
Author: Daniel Peikes
Ingredients
  • 1 cup Cilantro or Parsley Chopped finely
  • 4 cloves Garlic Chopped finely
  • 1 medium Red Onion Chopped finely
  • 1 medium Fresh Red Chili Chopped finely
  • 3/4 cup Olive Oil
  • 1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Kosher Salt To taste
Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and stir to combine. 

Jalapeno Cheddar Cauliflower Latkes With Salsa Verde Sour Cream

Cauliflower LatkeWho doesn’t love latkes, but definitely don’t serve these with apple sauce as they definitely are not your bubbie’s. After eating what feels like nothing but carbs for a few days, I wanted something a little lighter. Enter cauliflower.  And yes, I know I am encroaching on Rachel’s territory, but I think I have done a good job of putting my own spin on it.

Raw cauliflower can have a sulfuric or bitter flavor, but by roasting it first you can bring out its nuttiness and sweetness.  The cheese adds some richness to balance the earthy flavors of the cauliflower as well as acting as a binder.  The jalapeno adds some heat to sharpen all the otherwise tame flavors of the latke.

5 from 1 vote
Cauliflower Latke
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Jalapeno Cauliflower Cheddar Latkes
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 

This is not your bubbie's latke.  The use of cauliflower lightens up the recipe, while the cheese and jalapeno add richness and sharpness to the otherwise simple flavor.  I recommend making them on the thinner side so they cook through without burning on the outside.

Course: Main Course, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: Jewish, Tex-Mex
Author: Daniel Peikes
Ingredients
  • 1 Large Head Cauliflower Core removed and broken up into florets
  • 1 Large Onion Peeled and quartered
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 Cup Cheddar Cheese Shredded
  • 4 Large Eggs Beaten
  • 3 Large Jalapenos Chopped, remove seeds and ribs to lessen the heat
  • 1 Cup All Purpose Flour
  • Salt and Pepper To taste
  • Vegetable Oil For frying
Special Equipment
  • Food Processor Fitted with a chopping blade
  • Parchment Paper
Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Toss the cauliflower and onion with the olive oil and place on parchment paper lined sheet pan.  Roast until the cauliflower starts to brown.

  2. Add the cauliflower and onion to the food processor and process until smooth but not liquid.

  3. Move mixture to a large mixing bowl and incorporate mix in the flour, cheese, eggs, jalapeno, salt, and pepper, stirring until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.

  4. Add about a 1/2 inch of oil in a large frying pan or skillet, and place over medium heat.  

  5. Form patties of your desired size and fry on each side until golden brown.

 

5 from 1 vote
Cauliflower Latke
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Salsa Verde Sour Cream
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 

This recipe blends tradition with something a little more modern.  The salsa can be used on its own or mixed with sour cream to cool off the heat in the latkes.  You can also swap the bell peppers for jalapenos if you want to heat things up.

Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Kosher, Mexican, Tex-Mex
Author: Daniel Peikes
Ingredients
  • 1 Large Green Bell Pepper (or 4 Jalapenos if you prefer it spicy) Stem and seeds removed, roughly chopped
  • 4 Bunches Scallions Root ends removed
  • 6 Medium Tomatillos Husks removed and halved
  • 3 Cloves Garlic
  • 1 Bunch Cilantro Stems removed
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Salt and Pepper To taste
  • 8 oz Sour Cream
Special Equipment
  • Food Processor Fitted with a chopping blade
  • Parchment Paper
Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Spread out the peppers, scallions, tomatillos, and garlic on a parchment lined sheet pan and roast until they start to char.

  2. Add the peppers, scallions, tomatillos, garlic, cilantro, and lime juice to the food processor. Process to desired texture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  3. You can serve the salsa as is or combine a half cup of the salsa with the sour cream for a richer topping. If you are going to mix the salsa with the sour cream I recommend processing the salsa until smooth.

Check out Rachel’s take on latke’s here: Spaghetti Squash Latkes with Dipping Sauce Trio

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