cauliflower leaves

Folio

I bought a cauliflower the other day, I love it but have to "persuade" my family to eat it. It has now been eaten up but there are a lot if leaves with thick stalks left. Cant bear wasting food so what can I do with them? Can't use them as cabbage as family is equally resistant to this. Would it make a good soup? Or would it end up like cabbage soup which I have never fancied, as although I like cabbage as a veg, I have always thought it would be bitter in soup?

honeythewitch

It is fine in soup but it is a bit cabbagey.:D

Meadows

I use the leaves either as a veg at the side of the dish or add to soups (you can even use the softer insides of the stalks - peel away the hard outer).

If your family eat cabbage then chop these leaves and add to cabbage, or just tell them they are the lighter inside leaf of a cabbage.
The trimmed stalks can be used in a stir fry or added to a soup or stew.
If not add to stocks to get all the goodness from them.

Waste not want not!

Also try Cauliflower Mash or Cauliflower Rice.

Cauliflower Mash
Mashed cauliflower tastes similar to mashed potatoes but with fewer carbs. Top with chopped herbs and grated cheese if you like.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add cauliflower and cook until very tender, about 10 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid and then drain well and transfer cauliflower to a food processor. Add oil and reserved water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and puree until smooth (or mash cauliflower with a potato masher). Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Cauliflower Rice
1 head cauliflower
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
Coarse salt and coarsely-ground pepper to taste
Spices, herbs, and/or vegetables of your choice

Wash, remove core and leaves, trim, and coarsely chop the cauliflower.
Chop the fresh cauliflower into small florets or pieces small enough to fit into the food processor (or hand grate), make sure that the cauliflower pieces are completely dried before using.

In a large frying pan over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add onion and saute approximately 10 minutes or until soft. If adding other diced vegetables, add with the onions.

Meanwhile, place cauliflower pieces in a food processor and process (pulse) until the cauliflower is small and has the texture of rice. You could also use a cheese grater.
Don't over process, as the cauliflower can get mushy - you want a rough chop.
Raise the heat to medium-high. Add the prepared cauliflower to the cooked onions in the frying pan. Cover and cook approximately 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until the cauliflower is slightly crispy on the outside but tender on the inside (similar to "al dente" pasta), or put the processed Cauliflower in a steamer and cook until tender (few minutes). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Remove from heat and serve. Serves 4.


Can be used as "rice" in soups and stews and as side dish in place of rice or curry. Great served with chicken, seafood, and a side salad.
Curried Cauliflower Rice: Add 1 tablespoon turmeric or curry powder.
Herbed Rice: Add 1/4 cup of fresh basil, parsley, cilantro, green onion, and/or other herbs of your choice.
Chinese Fried Rice: After frying the cauliflower rice, push the cauliflower to one side of the pan. Pour in one (1) beaten egg into the empty part of the pan and lightly scramble the egg. Then mix the scrambled egg and cauliflower "rice" together. If desired, add a little soy sauce to the mixture.
Rice Salad: After frying and cooling, mix in some chopped cucumbers and tomatoes. Season lightly with some oil and vinegar.
Spanish Rice: After cooking the cauliflower, add an 8-ounce can of chopped tomatoes and a little hot sauce (to taste). Can also add some sauteed diced green pepper and garlic.
Vegetable Rice: Add your favorite diced vegetable; saute with the onions.

Lilyplonk

I normally use the leaves - minus the very thickest stalks - chopped up in stews/casseroles/hotpots.

I like to see the addition of 'something green' in these, but don't like to add peas or green beans - I prefer to serve those as separate veggies.

I do exactly the same with the very outer (tougher) leaves of Savoy Cabbages - thick shreds and 'chuck em in'. Any excuse at all to get extra VitC into a meal .............. :j.

7_week_wonder

Wow Meadows - the cauliflower rice looks amazing. I can't believe it, for the first time ever I am hoping I'll get a cauli in my veg box some time soon!

Meadows

7_week_wonder wrote: »

Wow Meadows - the cauliflower rice looks amazing. I can't believe it, for the first time ever I am hoping I'll get a cauli in my veg box some time soon!

I did had Cauliflower Mash once as part of a meal in NY, after that it made me start to look at other things to do with a Cauliflower and the rice is one quick way to do something different and as an alternative to rice and far lower in calories .

I have a Microwave Rice Cooker/Steamer (something like this but not see through) (which is so good I bought my daughter, mother, mother-in-law one and a spare for my for when ever mine wears out - err... been using it for more years than I can remember so might need the spare sometime never ).
I put the cauliflower rice in there with a little water in the bottom and steam for a few minutes (to the texture you prefer) and season to taste.

Byatt

I adore cauliflower, it's such a versatile veg. I have done the basic rice/mash recipe with it, but thanks Meadows for all the other ideas, fab!

I slice cauli and drizzle oil, spices or just salt and pepper and roast in the oven. I use the leaves as cabbage but also love the hard core raw. Yummy.

edit, sometimes I buy a cauli because I have a craving for the core!!

EstherH

In my bid to save from my grocery bill this month after being landed with a very large unexpected bill somewhere else, I am trying not to waste anything. I usually buy frozen cauliflower but got a fresh one in aldi yesterday. Can I use the leaves for stock or soup or do these need to be thrown away. I think I will be back to buying frozen again after this as there's no waste and it's much cheaper. Thanks for your help in advance. Esther x

scaredy_cat

http://england.lovefoodhatewaste.com/node/4440

googling brings up lots if recipes

pink_princess

I always use ours for a soup base.

EstherH

Hi, thank you so much. x