Meatless Monday: 5 Ways to Cook with Cauliflower

Once overlooked in favour of flashier vegetables, cauliflower is finally free of its reputation as a broccoli wannabe. Some news sources have even crowned it the kale of 2014.

And really, what can’t cauliflower be used for? Contrary to its plain Jane history, it’s a welcome addition to pizza, sushi, and even macaroni and cheese. To show you how it’s done, here are five vegetarian recipes that use cauliflower in unique ways.

1. In macaroni and cheese

Sure, some boxed macaroni and cheese contains half a serving of freeze-dried cauliflower—but this better-for-you recipe features the real deal. Add a cup of cooked broccoli, peas, or diced carrots to this kid-friendly meal to make it even healthier.

2. As rice

By now, you’ve probably encountered cauliflower “rice.” The white colour that has contributed to its bland reputation also makes cauliflower a healthy substitute for rice. Try it out with these simple sushi rolls!

3. In soup

Cream of cauliflower soup isn’t exactly groundbreaking. This cauliflower cashew soup, however, ups the wow factor by roasting the cauliflower and adding a Brazil nut pesto.  It’s a hearty dish that tastes buttery without a touch of dairy—and it’s perfect for this chilly weather.

4. On pizza

One benefit of cauliflower’s unassuming flavour is that it goes well with a variety of spices and flavours. In this Indian chickpea pizza, for example, cauliflower pairs perfectly with garam masala, curry powder, and pepper.

5. Roasted as a side dish

Okay, this one is pretty basic. But roasted cauliflower, combined with toasted nuts and raisins, tastes more delicious than you might imagine. As with most veggies, roasting brings out the rich, savoury side of cauliflower.