What Goes Well with Cauliflower? (2024)

Table of Contents

What Is Cauliflower? What Are the Health Benefits of Cauliflower? How to Choose a Good Cauliflower What Does Cauliflower Taste Like? What Goes Well with Cauliflower? How to Use Cauliflower in Salads? Salad and Side Dishes with Cauliflower More Ingredient Pairing Ideas FAQs References

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What Is Cauliflower?
What Are the Health Benefits of Cauliflower?
How to Choose a Good Cauliflower
What Does Cauliflower Taste Like?
What Goes Well with Cauliflower?
How to Use Cauliflower in Salads?
Salad and Side Dishes with Cauliflower

What Is Cauliflower?

The ever so versatile cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable. It belongs in the same family as broccoli, kale, bok choy and Brussels sprouts.

So, what exactly is a cruciferous vegetable anyway? Well, the word “cruciferous” is derived from the Latin word “Cruciferae”, which means “cross bearing”. And by cross bearing, they are referring to the fact that the four petals resemble a cross.

Cauliflower is a low-growing plant and when the head of the vegetable is enclosed inside its large green leaves, it resembles a cabbage. When it opens up, it reveals its cream-coloured head with tight knit florets.

Mark Twain described cauliflower as ‘cabbage with a college education’

The average size of a cauliflower head is about 13-18 cm in diameter. It is dense and the florets are attached to the main stem.

What Are the Health Benefits of Cauliflower?

Delicious yet healthy. Now, that’s our kind of food!

Cauliflower is an excellent source of Vitamin C, B1, B2, B3, B6 and K.

It is fat free, a great source of dietary fibre which helps to promote gut and digestive health and high in folate (B9).

How to Choose a Good Cauliflower

The head of the cauliflower should be a consistent cream colour with no dark spots. A yellowish tinge is a sign that it’s not as fresh as it should be.

It should feel heavy when you pick it up and ensure that the florets are all tight and intact.

The leaves of the cauliflower are another good way to ascertain whether it is good. If it is starting to wilt and is not a nice healthy bright green, it’s on its way out.

What Does Cauliflower Taste Like?

Flavour: When eaten raw, it can have a bitter after taste. When cooked as it is, it has a mild, nutty flavour and some might even describe it as being a little bit sweet.

Texture: Crunch. That is the first word that comes to mind. It softens dramatically the longer you cook it and it can even get to a point of being silky smooth when mashed.

What Goes Well with Cauliflower?

Fruit and Vegetables
Apples, asparagus, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, capsicum, carrots, celery, corn, garlic, ginger, jack fruit, kale, lemon, lime, mango, mushroom, olive, onion, orange, pea, pomegranate, potato, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potato, tomato.

Herbs, Nuts and Spices
Almond, basil, bay leaf, cardamom, chervil, chives, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, dill, garam masala, marjoram, mint, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, parsley, pine nuts, tarragon, thyme, walnuts.

Protein and Other
Anchovy, beef, blue cheese, buffalo mozzarella, butter, cheddar cheese, chickpeas, curry, farro, feta cheese, gruyère cheese, parmesan cheese, pork, quinoa, rice, saffron, tahini, tofu, turkey, turmeric, yoghurt.

How to Use Cauliflower in Salads?

Nothing appeals to us more than a vegetable that is so incredibly diverse in how we can manipulate it and transform it. Because of this versatility, it is one of the best vegetables to use in salads.

You can have them raw like in our Tofu Skin Salad with Cucumber and Cauliflower.

The most popular way to have it is probably roasted of which we have many recipes showcasing roasted cauliflower.

You can turn them into cauliflower rice which is a fantastic way to replace rice while still having very similar textures.

We have cauliflower steaks, fried Chinese cauliflower and even baby cauliflower. It truly is endless what you can do with this incredible vegetable.

Salad and Side Dishes with Cauliflower

Purple Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Mustard Tahini

Hearty and wholesome. Two words not normally used to describe a salad. But this Purple Cauliflower Salad is exactly that due to its creaminess, roasted undertones and nutty flavours.

Baby Cauliflower and Spiced Chickpeas with Beetroot Tahini

What could be more scrumptious than whole roasted baby cauliflower? Combine them with spiced chickpeas and beetroot tahini, and you’ll have a middle eastern inspired salad that won’t disappoint.

Pomegranate Cauliflower Salad with Chestnuts

Imagine little roasted florets sprinkled with red seeds against a backdrop of bright green sprouts. This Pomegranate Roasted Cauliflower Salad is a recipe bursting with contrasting flavours and textures.

More Ingredient Pairing Ideas

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FAQs

What is cauliflower good with? ›

You can enjoy raw cauliflower florets as a snack dipped in hummus or another healthy vegetable dip. Cauliflower can also be cooked in a variety of ways, such as steaming, roasting, or sautéing. It makes an excellent side dish or can be combined with dishes like soups, salads, stir-fries, and casseroles.

What fruit goes well with cauliflower? ›

Apples, asparagus, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, capsicum, carrots, celery, corn, garlic, ginger, jack fruit, kale, lemon, lime, mango, mushroom, olive, onion, orange, pea, pomegranate, potato, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potato, tomato.

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Which is the best way to eat cauliflower? ›

Cauliflower is an excellent blank canvas. You can steam or blanch it to keep its essential flavors intact, but by roasting or sautéing it, you can bring out its sweetness.

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Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

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Is cauliflower healthier than broccoli? ›

While they are both very nutritious vegetables, broccoli has a higher vitamin content, specifically in vitamin K and C, than cauliflower and is specifically known to be great for eye health. Broccoli florets also provide more minerals and fiber as well as contains vitamin A that isn't in cauliflower.

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What happens to your body when you eat cauliflower regularly? ›

Cauliflower has a group of substances known as glucosinolates. As you chew and digest it, these substances are broken down into compounds that may help prevent cancer. They help protect cells from damage and have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial effects.

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What organ is cauliflower good for? ›

Being rich in sulfur, cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower may support gut health and as a result improve your defence against infection. This is because sulfur supports the production of glutathione which is important for maintaining the integrity of the gut lining as well as supporting its regeneration.

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What to avoid when buying cauliflower? ›

Avoid cauliflower with small brown specks on the florets; they are a sign of aging. The size of the cauliflower head does not affect its quality. Keep raw cauliflower in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped, for three to five days.

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What does cauliflower do to your gut? ›

Because of its prebiotic fiber content, cauliflower helps feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut. “Having a healthy gut microbiome is crucial for your overall well-being, not to mention reducing your colon cancer risk,” Andrews says. Fiber also promotes healthy digestion and helps you have regular bowel movements.

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What part of cauliflower is not edible? ›

Every part of a cauliflower is edible, even the tough outer skin. However, we do recommend peeling this part before cooking as it's a bit tough to chew.

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How is cauliflower best eaten? ›

This versatile veggie can be eaten raw, cooked, roasted, grilled, baked into a pizza crust, or cooked and mashed as a substitute for mashed potatoes. You can even rice cauliflower and serve it in place of white rice.

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Should cauliflower be steamed or boiled? ›

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.

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Why do you add milk to boiled cauliflower? ›

If you want it to remain as white as possible boil it in milk, not water. Yes, all milk. The milk acts as a way to preserve the natural white coloring. If you are okay with it not being super brilliant white, you can do half milk/half water.

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Is cauliflower a carb or protein? ›

In 1 cup of chopped cauliflower, you'll get 5.3 g of total carbs, 3.2 g of net carbs, 0.3 g of fat, and 2.1 g of protein, per the USDA. Not to mention, you get 320 mg of potassium, making this vegetable a good source of the nutrient.

Is cauliflower healthier, raw or cooked? ›

Eating raw cauliflower provides maximum vitamin C content, but cooking cauliflower allows your body to absorb more nutrients, such as vitamin K and potassium. Roasting or steaming cauliflower brings out its natural flavors and adds a delightful texture.

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