Hey hey – how are you? We’re coming off what feels like weekend #157 in a row of doing nothing! Our social lives kind of stop during the season that shall not be named, when it’s freezing and there’s giant piles of snow everywhere, plus our pediatrician told us that due to the severity of this year’s flu season, if we don’t HAVE to take the boys out to public places right now then we shouldn’t. But, I’m also just a total wimp when it comes to the cold. Give me a warm spring or summer day though, and the opportunities are endless. Speaking of endless opportunities, let’s talk about cauliflower. Muwahahaha! I wonder if cauliflower’s recent trendiness has backfired on the already LPVOTP (least popular vegetable on the platter,) similar to kale’s rise to the top over the past few years. Are you sick of hearing about it yet? My eyes would roll more frequently if I hadn’t witnessed my husband and kids eating cauliflower both totally unnoticed AND with enthusiasm almost weekly over the past couple of years. What makes this somewhat bland and boring vegetable so great is the reason why it’s so often overlooked – it sort of tastes like nothing…yet morphs into anything!
Saute shredded cauliflower then serve in place of rice or hash browns. Steam and blend then use instead of heavy cream in soups and sauces. Swap for white potatoes in potato salad (TRY IT!) Obviously roast it – there is nothing like roasted cauliflower!
Not only is cauliflower a gluten-free, low-calorie, nutrient-dense food with 2 grams of protein in every 1 cup serving, but it takes on the flavor of whatever you season it with. Most often I cut white rice with cauliflower rice in stir fries, mince cauliflower in the food processor then saute with ground beef for taco night (this also works super well with minced mushrooms FYI,) or steam then blend cauliflower into soups to achieve a thick and luxurious texture without adding dairy, as Lincoln’s allergic. If you’re looking for more ideas, today I’m sharing 10 cauliflower recipes you’ll actually want to eat! First let’s review the ways to prepare cauliflower, other then chopping it into florets: What’s your favorite way to transform cauliflower into something craveable?
Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers with Parmesan-Garlic Cauliflower Rice
Think you won’t like cauliflower rice? Saute it in garlic then bury it under a blanket of parmesan cheese. That should do the trick. Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers with Parmesan-Garlic Cauliflower Rice is a quick and easy weeknight supper that swaps the crusty rolls sausage and peppers are normally stuffed into with flavorful cauliflower rice. (I promise you that is NOT an oxymoron!) Click here for the recipe >
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Cauliflower Fried Rice is the recipe that started my cauliflower rice obsession. I’d been searching for a way to swap gluten-free grains for something plant-based and decided to give cauliflower a whirl. Spoiler alert – it worked!! Lincoln LOVES this dish, though I usually cut it with a bit of cooked white rice, otherwise it’s too much fiber for him. Click here for the recipe >
Bacon-Cheddar Cauliflower Chowder (Low-Carb Alternative to Baked Potato Soup)
Bacon-Cheddar Cauliflower Chowder, a low-carb alternative to Baked Potato Soup, is still one of the most popular soup recipes on IGE six years after I posted it. Not only because it’s a lower-carb, lower-guilt way to enjoy the flavors of Baked Potato Soup, but because it’s insanely delicious too. Click here for the recipe >
Cauliflower “Faux-tato” Salad
Cauliflower “Faux-tato” Salad is one of my favorite fake-out dishes to date. Simply swap cooked white potatoes with steamed cauliflower florets then toss with your favorite potato salad fixin’s. I love reading the reviews on this recipe from readers who have tried it. Click here for the recipe >
Cilantro-Lime Chicken Meatball Bowls with Sweet Corn Pico de Gallo and Cauli-Rice
Cilantro-Lime Chicken Meatball Bowls with Sweet Corn Pico de Gallo and Cauli-Rice is a party in a bowl. Cauliflower takes on the flavor of whatever you season it with and in this recipe I drizzled sauteed cauliflower rice with plenty of lime and fresh cilantro. Super refreshing and healthy. Click here for the recipe >
Cauliflower Gratin
Ok, ok – if you’re still not sold on cauliflower – smother it in cheese. Usually works for me! Cauliflower Gratin is a lower-carb alternative to mac and cheese and is wonderfully cheesy and decadent. A fabulous side dish for any weeknight or holiday dinner. Click here for the recipe >
Low-Carb Cauliflower Cream Cheese Soup
Back in the DAY I ate Panera’s Potato Cream Cheese Soup like, 4 days a week. Wish I was kidding. Since it’s not gluten-free, nor on the menu anymore, I made a semi-copycat recipe, swapping shredded potatoes for shredded cauliflower. Did I mention Low-Carb Cauliflower Cream Cheese Soup is ready in just 30 minutes? Click here for the recipe >
Very-Veggie Cauliflower Hash Brown Breakfast Bowl
There is no better way to start your day then with a Very-Veggie Cauliflower Hash Brown Breakfast Bowl. This vegetarian breakfast is PACKED with healthy vegetables and eggs – you won’t miss the bacon. Click here for the recipe >
Creamy (No Cream!) Sweet Corn and Potato Chowder
Like I said, steamed then blended cauliflower is a DEAD RINGER for heavy cream, and it’s what makes my Creamy (No Cream!) Sweet Corn and Potato Chowder so thick and luxurious. You would never ever know this soup is made without dairy. It’s such a treat! Click here for the recipe >
Sweet Chili Coconut-Lime Grilled Chicken with Coconut-Lime Cauliflower Rice
Sweet Chili Coconut-Lime Grilled Chicken with Coconut-Lime Cauliflower Rice is one of YOUR favorite cauliflower recipes. I think flavoring cauliflower rice with lime and coconut milk has something to do with it. Served with sweet chili coconut-lime chicken (either grilled or sauteed,) this is a healthy, feel-good meal that’s packed with flavor. Click here for the recipe >
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