Cauliflower Cocktail

By the name of this post, it should be obvious what this recipe is, but most likely it won't be for everyone. Cauliflower Cocktail is vegetarian Shrimp Cocktail. My mom did this a few times a long time ago and I decided to try to look for ways to share it with all of you.

Cauliflower can take on many different flavors or textures, depending on how you prepare it. If you blanch cauliflower, it sort of takes on the texture of cooked shrimp. The flavor of cauliflower (albeit subtle) is not the same as shrimp (and it smells much better). You can use whatever sauces you want, to help add to the flavors to your cauliflower.

In this recipe, you'll merely find the instructions for blanching the cauliflower.  I found that the best way to coat the cauliflower with the cocktail sauce was to put it in an airtight container and gently shake it around. This is how many restaurants coat wings with their various sauces.

Cauliflower Cocktail

1 head of cauliflower

Cocktail Sauce

Using a sharp knife, remove any outer wrapping and leaves of the cauliflower. With your hands, pull away the large florets of cauliflower from the head. Trim away any large pieces of core and cut the florets into medium size but approximately equal sized pieces. Rinse well under fresh running water.

Fill a pot large enough to hold the cauliflower florets 2/3 full of fresh water and set it on the stove on high heat to boil. Add some salt to the water, so that it tastes salty. While the pot is starting to boil, fill a large bowl with ice and water. Ensure the bowl is large enough to hold the ice, water and cauliflower.

Once the water has begun to boil, quickly submerge the cauliflower into the boiling water. Cover immediately with a tight fitting lid. Begin timing and blanch the cauliflower for 3 minutes. Start timing when the cauliflower is all in the pot, not when it begins to boil again.

When the 3 minutes are up, quickly drain the cauliflower and plunge it into the ice water. Allow it to sit in the ice bath until it is chilled to the touch. When chilled, drain it from the ice bath and put it on a paper towel to continue drying.

Toss the blanched cauliflower in a bowl with cocktail sauce and serve.  It will taste just like Shrimp Cocktail.

Remember to comment, share, and enjoy your Cauliflower!

Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

These vegetarian treats are definitely a party favorite.  My friend, William, gave me this recipe and I made them recently for a group of friends. Many could not believe that they were cauliflower.  This dish is definitely for everyone, not just vegetarians. If you like a little spice and less fat than wings, these are right up your alley.  Served with Blue cheese or even plain, I bet you can't eat just one.

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Bites

1 cup water

1 cup all-purpose flower

2 tsp. garlic powder

22 oz. (6 ½ cups) cauliflower florets

¾ cup Franks Hot Sauce

1 Tbs. butter, unsalted, melted

Blue Cheese Dressing

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Lightly spray a large non-stick baking sheet with cooking spray (I used aluminum foil for easy clean up, but still use the spray).

Combine the water, flour, and garlic powder in a bowl and stir until well-combined.

Coat the cauliflower pieces with the flour mixture (shake off excess) and place on the baking sheet; bake for 20 minutes. While the cauliflower is baking, combine the hot sauce and butter in a small bowl.

Pour the hot sauce mixture over the baked cauliflower and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes (I brushed mine with the sauce instead of pouring...it doesn't waste it). 

Serve with skinny blue cheese dressing if desired and celery sticks.

Serve this and see if you don't cause a stir.  Remember to comment! Enjoy!

See a full index of The Orange Skillet Recipes here.