Spiced Whole Cauliflower with Smoky Tomatoes and Salsa | Rebel Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How long should you boil cauliflower? ›

Cooked cauliflower florets keep their shape best when steamed (5-10 mins) – remember to place them upright in the steamer. It can also be boiled (takes 5-10 mins for florets; around 10 mins for a whole cauliflower). For both cooking methods, test regularly with the tip of a knife to make sure they don't overcook.

Roasted Cauliflower Cooking Prep

First, grab a baking tray large enough for the cauliflower to sit in a single layer. Overcrowding the baking tray will result in mushy and not evenly cooked cauliflower. Choosing a proper cooking fat ensures roasted cauliflower goodness.

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Trim away just the tatty outer leaves and the end of the stalk from the cauliflower, then halve, slice into 3cm wedges and sit them in a roasting tray. Toss with a little olive oil, red wine vinegar, sea salt and black pepper, and roast for 35 minutes, or until beautifully golden and tender.

Add the cauliflower florets to the boiling water. Cook until crisp-tender, 5 to 7 minutes.

Why do you boil cauliflower before cooking? Boiling the cauliflower before roasting it whole ensures that the final dish is tender all the way through. Since a whole cauliflower has less surface area than cut florets, adding sel gris to the water means that the cauliflower gets seasoned from the inside out.

There are two really simple techniques that bring out the best in cauliflower: grilling and pickling. Dumping cauliflower florets in a mixture of salt and lemon juice for 45 minutes to an hour turns them into spiky little flavor bombs, delivering high-pitched squeaks in salads, sandwiches or the stew recipe here.

Dry the cauliflower really well after washing - I sometimes let it sit out for an hour on the counter to make sure all the moisture is gone. Coat the bottom of a bare baking sheet with olive oil. Don't use parchment paper here. Space out the cauliflower so the florets are not touching and don't steam.

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower contain high levels of insoluble fiber, which can quickly lead to digestive upset, especially when consumed raw. Symptoms can include bloating, gas and cramping.

Baking soda is often used as a natural cleaning agent, and it can be used to brighten up your veggies too. Sprinkle a little in the water before boiling to prevent cauliflower from yellowing and make corn look more vibrant.

Helps retain color: Cauliflower can sometimes turn brown or lose its vibrant white color when cooked. However, the acid in lemon juice can help prevent discoloration and maintain the cauliflower's white appearance.

Are roasted cauliflower good for you? ›

If you're not into cauliflower, try it roasted. It'll be on your veggie rotation in no time. Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable responsible for helping to reduce risk of cancer due to it's special antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory effects, as well as it's high fiber content.

To avoid cauliflower smell while cooking, add a few drops of white vinegar - it kills the smell.

The general rule of thumb is about 20 minutes. Cauliflower that is overcooked will lose up to 50% of its vitamins and minerals. If you want a healthy meal, cook it for just a few minutes less.

Cauliflower heads should reach 6 to 8 inches in diameter before they are ready to harvest. The heads should be compact and firm. Heads may be smaller but already opening up and should therefore still be harvested. Course texture means the plant is over mature, and it should be pitched.

Like all vegetables, cauliflower retains the most of its nutrients when eaten raw or lightly steamed or boiled. Here is a quick and simple method to boil it.

Season the florets with salt and pepper, and cover the pot. Let them steam until the tip of a knife or fork can be inserted easily without resistance, 8 to 10 minutes, depending on size. The ideal steamed cauliflower should read al dente, never mushy.