10 ways to cook cauliflower - dairy free

10 Ways to cook cauliflower

Went shopping on Friday and picked up a lovely head of cauliflower from my local supermarket.  I'm pretty lucky as there fruit and veg are always great.   I like to keep my meals interesting so I had a look on the Internet for inspiration. 

There are more ways to cook and serve cauliflower, than just covering it in cheese sauce.  Being lactose intolerant - excludes me from using dairy cheese.  While being yeast intolerant - excludes me from using vegan cheese, since one of the ingredients is yeast extract.


1. Mashed Cauliflower

Cut Cauliflower into Florette's, then boil in water till tender.  Drain then mash along with some dairy free margarine. 

A great side dish.


2. Roast Cauliflower

Basic recipe: Cut into Florette's and toss in a bowl with some veg oil and salt and pepper.  Bake in a hot oven at 200 Celsius for 20 - 30 Min's.

You could also add your favourite graram Marsala blend, instead of salt and pepper

On the Internet try  Smoky roasted cauliflower spiced with smoked paprika. 

I love roasting cauliflower, as it still retains a bit of a crunch. 


3. Steamed Cauliflower

There a a few ways to steam veggies.  Use a stove top steam pan, electric steamer, microwave steamer or a Chinese bamboo steamer.  Recently bought myself a reasonably priced stove top pan from Asda. 

Cut into Florette's and place in steamer, cook till tender.   Remove from steamer and toss with a vinaigrette while still warm, so the flavours can be absorbed. 

Another option -  Toss  with lemon juice, mustard and salt and pepper. 


4. Cauliflower soup

Basic recipe: Cut up into pieces (Including the leafy part) , place in a cooking pot and cover with vegetable stock.  Cook till really tender.  Then use a hand blender to puree till smooth, then add seasoning to taste.

Surf the Internet for more recipes like - Moroccan spiced cauliflower and almond soup


5. Cauliflower in disguise

Spicy Buffalo cauliflower wings  recipe from the Peta web site.

Hungry Girl   has an alternative recipe for potato salad using cauliflower instead.  Her recipe isn't totally diary free, but it's easy to turn it into one by using your store of replacement products.  Custom make a a version that suits your own taste.  Personally Id leave out egg white, dill and dry ranch dressing!!!!  I haven't a scooby on the last one, never heard of it. 


6. Stir fried Cauliflower

Cut into bite sized pieces and stir fry with your favourite Chinese sauce.  Serve with Noodles or Rice


7. Pickled Cauliflower

For a traditional British Recipe try Piccalilli  Pickling veg is a great way of ensuring you have some to eat all year round. 

Try the Hairy bikers Hot Mustard pickle  recipe

Or Curry pickled cauliflower


8. Cauliflower done the Indian way

I love Indian food there are so many vegetarian recipes to choose from.  It's also easy to make dairy free versions. 

Basic recipe: - Cut into Florette's and  cook with your favourite pre-made Curry sauce.  Or make your own from scratch. 

To make your own look at Delicious magazine list of top 10 vegetarian Curries


9. Fried Cauliflower

Basic recipe:- Cut in to Florette's and dip into dairy free batter, then fry till golden brown. 

Sticking with the Indian theme, lets not forget cauliflower pakora.  Check out the River cottage recipe

Or try go Japanese by making cauliflower tempura try vegan tempura recipe


10.  Cauliflower gone sweet 

Finally the bizarre

Cauliflower cookie recipe

Chocolate Cauliflower cake recipe

Chocolate and cauliflower brownie

Cauliflower rice pudding


I do love strange recipes, just not sure if I'm ready to go the sweet route though xxx