Cauliflower Steak Recipe: Trendy & Delicious

November 9, 2015 at 3:11 pm · Filed under Food Fun, Fruits, Nuts & Seeds, Recipes, Vegetables-Salads-Herbs

The recipe for cauliflower steak is below.

But first, we admit: We are one of those people who has a double grievance during fall and winter. Not only do we grip daylight hours, but we miss the cornucopia of fruits and vegetables from spring and summer.

Sure, there are asparagus and tomatoes, honeydews and peaches to be had. But as subscribers to locavore and green philosophies, we don’t buy out-of-season produce shipped from other parts of the world.

The folks in California are gifted with the best produce variety in the nation. It helps that the growing is so long, as is the growing area: 770 miles long.

We just heard from Good Eggs, San Francisco’s top quality produce provider, that new fall bounty has arrived:

Buttercup squash

Baby spinach

Artichokes

Romanesco, the offspring of cauliflower and broccoli rabe (see the photo below)

Mexican Sour Gherkins (they look like tiny watermelons)

The best fall produce in northern California. Photo courtesy GoodEggs.com.

On the opposite coast, where we live, we find comfort in colored cauliflower and winter squash. But wherever you live, here’s…

HOW TO FIND THE BEST PRODUCE

Know what’s in season locally. Click your state on this map from Fresh Everyday Produce.

Go to farmers markets. Here’s the USDA’s list of farmers markets in the U.S.

Patronize stores that have better produce. Our closest supermarket is fine for the dairy and packaged food, but the produce often is wilting so we go elsewhere.

Be willing to shop at multiple stores. The specialty supermarket where we buy produce carries an inferior brand of strawberries. We eat lots of strawberries year-round, so we go to yet another store that does carry our brand (Driscolls).

Ask the chefs at independent restaurants for advice. They typically have favorite farmers markets and specialty grocers.

Recognize that if you live in the northern climes, January and February will be bleak. After the new year, we’ll provide tips on how to cope.

YOUR FUN FOOD ASSIGNMENT

1. Ask 10 foodies and/or chefs in your area where the best produce can be found. You don’t have to ask them all in one week, of course. But anytime the topic of good food comes up in conversation, ask!

2. Find a seasonal fruit or vegetable and do something different and exciting with it. To give you a leg up, the next section has a recipe for our latest veggie fancy: cauliflower steaks. You can make them with endless variations of seasonings and sauces, and we’ve included six of our favorite variations.

multicolored-cauliflower-nourishtheroots-230

[2] Some jewels of fall: colored cauliflower. In the front is romanesco, a cultivar bred from cauliflower and broccoli rabe, a.k.a. rapini (photo © NourishTheRoots.com).

[3] Cauliflower steak with Italian accents. Here’s the recipe (photo © Epicurious).

CAULIFLOWER STEAKS

Since the summer, cauliflower steak has been trending at almost every restaurant we go visit, as a vegetarian/vegan/paleo/low-calorie/whatever option. It can also be served on top of your favorite whole grain, as a first course or entrée, or atop a bed of greens as a salad course. It’s especially fun with a purple cauliflower!

A whole head of cauliflower is sliced into “steaks,” which are variously seasoned and roasted.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 large head cauliflower (about 3 pounds)

Salt and pepper to taste

Extra virgin olive oil

Garnish: 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or other herb, finely
chopped

Preparation

1. PREHEAT the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat.

2. COMBINE the lemon juice and garlic in a small bowl. Set aside momentarily.

3. REMOVE the leaves and bottom core of a head of cauliflower lengthwise into 3/4-inch-thick slices. Season both sides with salt and pepper to taste and arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the lemon juice-garlic mixture. Roast 40 minutes or until golden and tender. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

4. USE the remaining cauliflower pieces in salads raw or pickled, or steam/microwave them for another occasion.

Variations

Turn this spare basic recipe into more flavorful cauliflower steaks. Use your favorite international flavors as seasonings and sauces. For example:

Chinese cauliflower steaks: Eliminate the salt, brush steaks with soy sauce instead of lemon juice, top with minced garlic, garnish with fresh chives.

Indian cauliflower steaks: Season with ground cumin, coriander and optional curry powder instead of garlic, salt and pepper; garnish with fresh cilantro.

Italian cauliflower steaks #1: Use garlic-flavored olive oil and top the cauliflower with minced garlic before roasting. Place cooked steaks atop pesto, or atop marinara sauce seasoned with some oregano. Garnish with sliced black olives.

Italian cauliflower steaks #2: Make the basic recipe. After roasting, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan. Return to the oven for another 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Japanese cauliflower steaks: Use 1/2 olive oil, 1/2 toasted sesame oil or wasabi oil, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds, grated fresh ginger and/or fresh chives.

Mexican cauliflower steaks: Replace the lemon juice with lime juice. Serve on a bed of black beans or pinto beans and top with warmed salsa. Garnish with cilantro and optional crumbled queso fresco.

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