Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad

In my recent attempt to find healthy salads I came across this recipe in the Spice and Spirit cookbook. The only change I made was to substitute the sugar with splenda. Since the vegetables are so crisp it was still good a few days later as leftovers. Note that the cookbook indicated that this serves 8-10 people. We had it at a meal with 12 people and other side dishes/salads and there was a lot left over(and no, not because it wasn't good).

1 large broccoli, cut into florets
1 medium cauliflower, cut into florets
3 carrots, peeled and diced
2 zucchini, diced
4 green onions, chopped

Dressing:
1/4 C. oil
1/3 C. Vinegar
1 tsp. Salt
1 Tbls. Splenda
2 Garlic Cloves, minced
1/3 tsp. pepper

Toss together all salad ingredients. In a seperate bowl combine or whisk the dressing ingredients. Pour dressing over salad and toss. Serve chilled.

No Cook Cauliflower Salad

I came across this cauliflower salad on a blog I regulalrly read. I didn't have pimento olives so I used sliced manzillo. I only used a half red onion as I thought it was going to be too onion-y. I replaced the sugar with splenda. I also made the dressing seperatly as I made the salad ahead and just tossed the dressing on before serving. It was delicious and I am making it again this week.

Here is the salad undressed.

1 head cauliflower, cut into 1/2″ pieces
1 red bell pepper, diced small
1/2 red onion, diced small
1/2 C. sliced green olives
1 medium can corn, drained
1 can (10 ounces or larger 14.5 ounces) chick peas, rinsed and drained

Dressing:
4 Tbls. Olive oil
3 Tbls. Lemon Juice
2 Tbls. Red Wine Vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper (or more, to taste)
2 tsp. splenda

Combine all salad ingredients. Mix dressing and toss with salad.

Roasted Spicy Cauliflower

I love cauliflower and usually just roast it with some kosher salt, pepper and olive oil. Last week I decided to try a variation which I found on one of my favorite healthy cooking blogs. The results were a delicious, beautiful cauliflower with a kick.

1 large head cauliflower, cored and cut into florets
2 Tbls. Olive oil
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
pinch salt
fresh ground black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 F. Placed cut up cauliflower, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper into mixing bowl and stir well to combine and coat cauliflower with oil and red pepper. Arrange in single layer on baking sheet. Roast until softened and golden brown for 25-30 minutes.

Cauliflower Popcorn

This recipe was adapted from a recipe by the same name from the Kosher By Design Entertains cookbook. I have only made 3 changes in this recipe. First is I use frozen cauliflower, not because it is better but because I can't always get fresh and when I can I am too lazy to clean and cut it. But if you have fresh cauliflower and aren't lazy like me then I encourage you to use it as it is better. Secondly, I have cut the oil from 6-8 Tablespoons(yikes!) to 2 Tablespoons and it still seems excessive. Lastly I substituted splenda for the sugar. I often double or triple this recipe as we munch on it from the minute it comes out of the oven and my kids like it.

2 Heads cauliflower, cut into medium sized florets OR 1 bag frozen cauliflower(can be frozen or defrosted)
1 tsp. Salt
2 tsp. Splenda
1/4 tsp. Onion Powder
1/4 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp. Paprika
1/4-1/2 tsp. Turmeric
2 Tbls. Olive Oil

Combine all spices and oil in a large bowl or in a ziploc bag. Add in the cauliflower and toss to coat evenly. Place in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast at 450 for 35-45 minutes until cooked and slightly browned. If the cauliflower is getting too brown for your liking you can mix it in the middle of cooking.

Roasted Cauliflower and Red Pepper Soup

Remember a while back I told you about Cauliflower Carrot Soup? Well I have another cauliflower soup recipe for you. Today's recipe is similar to the Cauliflower Carrot Soup but kicked up a notch. I have actually been making this recipe for quite a while and it is good! I based it on this recipe from Closet Cooking but mine is a little simpler, healthier and a lot less fancy. That said it is really good.

1 head fresh Cauliflower, cut into florets OR 1 large bag frozen Cauliflower(which is what I use)
1 Tbls. Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
Pam
1 Onion, Chopped
2 cloves garlic, Chopped
2 Roasted Red Peppers (I roast them using this technique from Closet Cooking)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
4 C. Water

Put cauliflower on cookie sheet and sprinkle with olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Roast the cauliflower in a preheated 400F oven until lightly golden brown, about 20-30 minutes. Spray soup pot with Pam and saute onions until tender about 5 minutes. Add garlic for 30 seconds. Add the cauliflower, roasted red peppers, cayenne and water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer until the cauliflower is tender, about 20 minutes. Puree with a hand blender.

This one isn't such a kid friendly recipe as it is quite spicy however it is so good.

Stay tuned for a mash up(no pun intended) of the 2 cauliflower soups....

Cauliflower Carrot Soup

A friend of mine gave me this recipe for Cauliflower Carrot Soup. I am not sure where it originated but we loved it.

1 head of cauliflower or 1 bag frozen cauliflower
1 Tbls. Olive Oil
3-4 cloves garlic
4-5 Carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
1 Parsnip
1 Onion, diced
2 Celery ribs, sliced
8 C. Chicken Broth
Salt
Pepper

Roast cauliflower with olive oil, salt and pepper at 350 for 30-45 minutes or until soft. Saute carrots, celery, parsnip and garlic. Add cauliflower. Add 8 cups chicken broth and bring to a boil. Simmer for 45 minutes. Puree with immersion blender. Add salt and pepper to taste.

I would like to add that while this is the recipe I didn't have a parsnip so I didn't put it in and I went out special to buy the celery and forgot to add it, so don't worry if you forget it.