How To Cook Cauliflower

name Welcome to the Vegan Coach's tutorial on how to cook cauliflower.

Personally, I didn't try cauliflower until I was in my 20's because I was a little afraid of it! (I was a very picky eater before I went vegetarian and discovered the wonderful veggies our beautiful Earth has to offer.)

Cauliflower has a unique flavor that is very comforting, and it can be baked, boiled, pureed, sauteed, steamed -- even eaten raw.

Below you'll find lots of advice for how to cook cauliflower in the most delectable way. Why? Because the cooking techniques and flavorings are chosen by you -- simply match the flavors with your unique taste buds and with what you have in your cupboard.

How To Select Cauliflower

This is one of those times when size DOESN'T matter, so don't worry about how big the head is. ;o) Simply see if you can find cauliflower that has many crisp leaves covering up the veggie -- the leaves offer better protection and your cauliflower will be fresher.

Look for cauliflower that is white or creamy, and which feels heavy and firm. Avoid those that have dark spots or look dull and sad. And if you see any flowers growing out of them? Next!!!

Be on the lookout for purple and green cauliflower too as these are delicious and fun varieties to play with.

How To Clean and Prep Cauliflower

Fill a bowl (or a Salad Spinner) with clean, filtered water. Add 2-3 Tablespoons of lemon juice, or any other edible acid, such as vinegar which will help to clean your veggie more thoroughly (p.s. don't skip this step -- it's very important).

Remove outer leaves and discard, if not using. Using a knife, carefully cut florets from the hard, woody stem and soak in prepared water. Allow to soak for 10 minutes or so. Rinse.

Your veggie is now ready to be used in your unique and totally personalized cauliflower recipe.

How To Cook Cauliflower

Baked Cauliflower
Boiled Cauliflower
Pureed Cauliflower
Sauteed Cauliflower
Steamed Cauliflower
Eat it RAW! (With your favorite vegan dip!)

Try This Vegan Cauliflower Dish...

Vegan Cream of Cauliflower Soup

Cauliflower Vegan Flavor Matches

Create your very own cauliflower recipe with some of your favorite ingredients from this list of foods that match perfectly with cauliflower.

Almonds
Bacon, vegetarian (I like Fakin' Bacon. But use sparingly
-- this is not a health food)
Bragg's Liquid Aminos, or Tamari
Bread Crumbs
Butter, non-dairy (I like Earth Balance)
Chervil
Cheese, especially Cheddar and Parmesan, non-dairy
Chives
Cracker Crumbs
Cream, non-dairy
Curry
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Garlic
Lemon
Mornay Sauce, non-dairy
Mushrooms
Nutmeg
Nutritional Yeast
Nuts
Onions
Parsley
Pepper, especially hot
Tomato Sauce
Walnuts

Cauliflower Helpful Hints

Cauliflower is available year-round, but is best when it's in season: December-March.

Store cauliflower unwashed in the fridge, protected by a plastic bag or Tupperware-like container (as with all veggies!). Store cauliflower stem side down to avoid moisture pooling up in the actual veggie. Eat within 2-3 days.

Although it's not as common to eat them, the leaves are edible.

Be wary of cooking your cauliflower in an aluminum or iron pot. It just so happens that the chemical compounds in cauliflower can react with the aluminum and turn the vegetable yellow! And an iron pot, can turn it to a brown or blue-green color. Ack!

Cauliflower can be blanched first, and then frozen. It will keep in the freezer for up to a year (be sure to date it!).
To blanch: Boil a pot of water -- approximately one gallon of water per pound of veggie. Bring the water to boil and lower cauliflower into the water (a wire basket works perfectly). When the water begins to boil again, cover the pot and set the timer for 8-10 minutes.
As soon as blanching is complete, you'll want to stop the cooking process immediately. So drain the cauliflower, and then plunge into a container of ice water. Cool veggies for the same amount of time as they are blanched. (This process works for many veggies -- only the blanching time will change, depending on how dense the chosen veggie is.)

If You Like Cauliflower Try...

Broccoli
Broccolini (A cross between broccoli and Chinese kale)
Brocciflower (A cross between broccoli and cauliflower)
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Greens (Collard, Turnip and Mustard)
Kale