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Cauliflower
Cauliflower is not only beautiful and healthy, but also very tasty. It is used to prepare a variety of dishes - from summer salads to casseroles. Be sure to try cooking some dish from cauliflower, and we will help you with recipe selections.
How to choose cauliflower
- The flowers of good cabbage have a white or slightly yellow tint. This rule applies to classic varieties. Sometimes green or purple heads can be found for sale.
- The surface of the flowers should be clean - without stains, coating, and dirt. It is important that there are no signs of mechanical damage on the heads.
- Good cauliflower is firm and dense to the touch. Wilted flowers are a sign of poor quality.
- The flowers should be tightly packed together and spaced evenly apart.
- The presence of a few leaves is acceptable - they protect the head from contamination.
What to cook with fresh cauliflower
Cauliflower is a true treasure trove of fiber, vitamins, micro- and macroelements. To take advantage of all its beneficial properties, it is necessary to consume cabbage in its fresh form. The vegetable goes well with peppers, carrots, garlic, and herbs.
Ingredients:
- peeled cauliflower florets - 200 g.;
- bell pepper - 2 pcs.;
- bell pepper - 2 pcs.;
- carrot - 1 pcs.;
- garlic - 2 cloves;
- parsley - 1 bunch;
- mayonnaise - 2 tbsp.;
- ground pepper and salt - to taste.
Preparation:
- Dip the cabbage in a bowl of cold water, rinse - drain in a colander. Slightly dry.
- Wash the pepper, garlic, carrot, and greens. Peel the carrot - grate it on a special grater. Clean the pepper from seeds - cut into strips. Peeled garlic is passed through a press.
- Mix the ingredients in a deep bowl, season with mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Garnish the finished salad with chopped greens and place it in the refrigerator for half an hour.
Good to know. If the cauliflower florets are large, they can be chopped before adding to the salad. Although it's better to leave them whole.
How to boil cauliflower
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Boiled cabbage is needed for salads and other dishes; it is often served as a side dish with fried meat. With proper cooking, beneficial properties are preserved and the taste improves.
To boil cauliflower in the traditional way (in a pot), you should follow these steps:
- Clean the head from leaves, separating it into florets. Cut large specimens to ensure all florets are the same size.
- Pour water into a pot in such a quantity that its volume is two to three times that of the cabbage.
- Transfer the pot with water to the turned on stove. Bring to a boil, adding salt to taste.
- Place the florets on a slotted spoon, carefully lowering them into the boiling water.
- As soon as the water boils, reduce the heat to low. Set a timer for 10 minutes (maximum 15 minutes).
- Remove the boiled cabbage from the pot using a slotted spoon and transfer to a deep bowl.
- When the vegetable cools down - use it for salads or serve as a side dish.
To prepare steamed cauliflower without using a steamer, you can use the following recipe:
- Pour water into a deep pot - fill the container to 2/3 of its volume.
- Transfer the pot to the stove, set the regulator to maximum. Cover the pot with a lid.
- When the water boils, place a colander in the pot. Ensure the liquid is below the bottom of the colander.
- Put the prepared cabbage in the colander, cover the pot with a lid, and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes.
- Transfer the cabbage to a bowl and serve. Salt to taste.
How to make a salad with cauliflower and radish
This simple salad combines the delicate taste of boiled cauliflower with the sharpness of radish. And the eggs make it hearty, balancing the taste of the vegetables.
The salad consists of the following ingredients:
- eggs - 3 pieces;
- radish - 150 grams;
- cauliflower - 300 grams;
- mayonnaise - for dressing;
- salt - a few pinches;
- green onion - 3 feathers.
Preparation:
- We thoroughly wash the cabbage head in water, divide it into florets, and immerse it in a pot of boiling water. Add salt to taste and cook until done. To cook the cabbage, it is enough to keep it in boiling water for 15 to 20 minutes. Drain the cooked cabbage in a colander, cool it down, and cut it into large pieces.
- Boil the eggs hard for 15 minutes. Then cool them in water, peel off the shell, and cut into small slices.
- Rinse the radish in cold water - cut off the tops and greens. Then slice the radish into thin rings. If the roots are large, cut them into half rings. Finely chop the washed onion.
- In a salad bowl, combine the prepared ingredients and dress with mayonnaise. If the dish is bland, add a little salt and mix again.
- Store the finished salad in the refrigerator for no more than a day. But it's better to serve the dish immediately after preparation. Enjoy your meal.
How to cook cauliflower soup
This recipe for a healthy and hearty cauliflower soup will appeal to those who want to diversify their everyday lunch table. The cabbage adds a "spark" to the usual chicken soup, and the seasoning adds a pleasant aroma.
Ingredients:
- potatoes - 3 pieces;
- carrots - 2 pieces;
- cauliflower (florets) - 300 grams;
- chicken fillet - 350 grams;
- onion - 1 piece;
- greens (parsley with dill) - a few sprigs;
- table salt - to taste;
- ground black pepper - to taste.
Cooking process:
- First, prepare the vegetables - rinse and peel them. Cut the carrots into strips or small circles. Cut the potatoes into cubes, and the onion into small cubes.
- Dip the cauliflower florets into cold water - rinse well. Then drain in a colander, hold for a few minutes, and cut into equal slices.
- Cut the rinsed chicken fillet into equal pieces, transfer it to a deep pot, and cover with cold water. Boil over medium heat for 15-20 minutes after boiling. Periodically remove the foam - this procedure is necessary for the broth to be clear.
- Add the carrots and potatoes to the pot. After the broth boils, reduce the heat and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the cauliflower and onion to the pot - cook until ready.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper at the very end. A couple of minutes before the cooking process is finished, add the chopped greens.
- Cover the pot with a lid, turn off the heat. Let the soup steep for 10-20 minutes, then pour into bowls and serve. Enjoy your meal.
Useful to know. If desired, you can add a handful of rice to the dish to make the soup heartier. It is added together with the potatoes since rice cooks for at least 20 minutes.
How to cook a cauliflower casserole
If you want something healthy yet delicious, you can make a cauliflower casserole. This dish will gather the whole family at the dining table, as its aroma will leave few indifferent. The casserole is great for the autumn season when inexpensive fresh cabbage is available in stores.
Ingredients:
- potatoes - 4 pieces;
- cauliflower - 1 head;
- sour cream (20% fat) - 200 ml.;
- ham - 150 grams;
- "Russian" cheese (or any hard cheese) - 100 grams;
- eggs - 4 pieces;
- garlic - 2 cloves;
- greens (green onion) - 0.5 bunch;
- salt - 0.5 tsp;
- ground black pepper - 0.5 tsp.
Preparation:
- Rinse the cabbage under running water, then divide it into small flowers. Cut large florets in half. Place in a pot of salted water - boil from the moment of boiling for no more than 10 minutes. Drain in a colander.
- Do the same with the potatoes - rinse, peel, and boil in salted water until soft.
- Finely chop the washed green onion. Mince the peeled garlic. Cut the ham and boiled potatoes into small pieces. Mash the cabbage with a fork.
- We prepare the filling for the casserole from eggs, sour cream, pepper, and salt - mix all the ingredients well.
- Mix the prepared ingredients in a large bowl with the sour cream filling.
- Place the base for the casserole in a baking dish (previously greased with oil) and transfer it to the oven. Bake for 20 minutes at a temperature of 200 degrees Celsius.
- After the specified time, remove the dish from the oven. Decorate the casserole with grated cheese and send it back to the oven. Cook for 20 minutes.
- Serve the cauliflower casserole warm. Enjoy your meal.
Now you know how to properly prepare cauliflower. We hope that the tips, recommendations, and recipes from this article have helped you well.
