Transform Cauliflower In Your Favorite Cooking Ally With These Recipes

Cauliflower has slowly begun to crawl on our recipes and become one of our favorite ingredients to cook with. Specially since cauliflower, on its own, has really few calories, are super versatile to cook and really easy to shop at any grocery store. Plus, cauliflower is a very healthy vegetable since it is a big source of nutrients, weight loss friendly, high in fiber and a good source of antioxidants. This vegetable can become a substitute or alternative to some grains and legumes when you have a strict diet to follow, want to eat less carbs and increase your veggie intake. So, what’s not to love about cauliflower? Check out a few of the things you can transform this tree looking vegetable into!

1. Cauliflower Rice

A great low carb and grain free alternative to the usual rice is to transform cauliflower into a grain shape to use it as if it was rice. This cauliflower rice is super easy to make, you will just need to grab a cauliflower head, trim the head into florets and throw the florets into a food processor.

Chop the florets down until they have become grain like, not too small since the texture might become mushy. And there you have it, you can cook this cauliflower rice just with oil and salt or add some meat to it to make a different combination. Use the cauliflower rice as a base and let your creativity flow!

2. Cauliflower Hummus

Having a low carb dip option is always a great touch to think about on any part, especially if that option turns out to be as delicious as this cauliflower hummus. Which by the way is super healthy! You can make this hummus to take to parties or to add to your falafel, the choice is yours. This hummus is also easy to make, you need to combine the cauliflower with water, avocado oil, kosher salt and garlic cloves and heat it up for about 15 minutes.

Then throw it into a food processor until blended and add some tahini, lemon juice, raw garlic cloves, olive oil and a bit more of kosher salt and blend again. Adjust seasoning if necessary and serve!

3. Cauliflower Pizza Crust

This option is definitely one of our favorites! Pizza is a whole time favorite, but we know it kind also not be as healthy as we want it to be. But don’t worry anymore, by making substitution of the bread for this cauliflower crust, you will save a few calories. To make the cauliflower crust you need to throw the veggie into a food processor until finely ground. When processed throw it into the microwave for about 5 minutes or until softened.

Drain the cauliflower of its water excess and mix with eggs, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning and some salt and pepper to taste. Spread this mixture into a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. When ready, top with your favorite ingredients, like pizza sauce, cheese, ham, peperoni, salami or even pineapple, some more cheese and throw it back in the oven for approximately 5 minutes. Enjoy while still hot!

4. Cauliflower Mashed “Potatoes”

We know this is not exactly a potato recipe but substituting the potatoes for cauliflowers can help you gain a lower carb recipe that is equally satisfying as smashed potatoes and that comes great at dinner time or side dish. The texture is really similar to the one of smashed potatoes and the preparation is quite similar also. You just need to separate the cauliflower into florets, cook these until tender and drain the excess of water.

When cooled down and drained add some milk, butter, sour cream, salt and pepper and mash it with a masher until it has the texture you like. Then top it with your favorite seasonings, it could be chives, bacon bites or a little bit of mozzarella cheese, whatever you decided will taste deliciously!

5. Cauliflower Tortillas

This cauliflower tortillas are not only a delicious and healthy option, but they can be transformed into so many alternatives! You can use these ones for a wrap, taco shell, burritos, to fill with meat, chicken or whatever comes to your mind! Get down to experimenting with this tasty cauliflower tortillas, if you are brave enough you can even turn them into a sweeter match or use them as a breakfast option. To make this you will need to throw some cauliflower florets into a food processor until they have a grain-like texture, then stem the processed veggie over boiling water for about 5 minutes.

When done remove the excess water to avoid having soggy tortillas. Transfer this mixture into a bowl and mix with eggs, oregano, paprika and whatever other spices are your favorite. Then separate the cauliflower mixture into balls and spread each one on a parchment-lined baking sheet to make small circles. Bake them for about 10 minutes on one side and then flip them and bake for another 5 minutes. Serve when ready or reheat on a pan when you want to serve them!

6. Cauliflower Fritters

If hash browns are one of your favorite breakfasts ever, you need to try this cauliflower fritters because they are going to become your new favorites! These ones are also a low carb and gluten free option which makes them more perfect for breakfast time. Start by processing the cauliflower florets, then mix them with salt and drain them from excessive liquid. Combine them with cheese, almond flour, eggs and pepper until well mixed.

Make small balls with this mixture and smashed them until you get patties as thick as you desire. Cook them on a hot pan for about 5 minutes or until golden brown and crispy before flipping them to the other side. When ready, serve them hot and top them with some scallions if desire!