Preparing cauliflower is not at all difficult and the white florets are not only healthy but also extremely versatile. We will tell you the best tips for preparing them!
Preparation is the be-all and end-all
Before you can process the cauliflower, you must first clean it. Remove the leaves from the stalk and place the head in saltwater for a few minutes to wash off any dirt and insects. Depending on how you want to prepare the cauliflower later, you can cut off the florets or break them into small pieces. You can also eat the stalk, the best way is to peel it and cut it into pieces or you can grate it with a grater.
Preparing cauliflower in a pot
Cooking is the most common way of preparing cauliflower, even though a relatively large number of nutrients are lost in the process.
- Put a large pot of salted water on top and bring it to a boil.
- You can cook the cauliflower either in pieces or as a whole.
- The florets are cooked after ten to twelve minutes, while the whole cabbage needs to be cooked for about 25 minutes.
- Then you can serve the cauliflower as a delicious side dish, for example with sauce hollandaise.
Steam the cauliflower
Steaming is a more gentle cooking method: Put the cauliflower florets in a pot with only a little water or oil, close it with a lid and cook the vegetables at medium heat. Since the steam cannot escape, the cauliflower is ready to serve after only eight to ten minutes.
Preparing cauliflower in the oven
If you like, you can also roast cauliflower in the oven. All you have to do is mix the separated florets with olive oil and salt and place them on a baking tray. Afterward you can bake the vegetables at 180 degrees for about 20 minutes. Also delicious: Bake the cauliflower with cheese or prepare a casserole (like our cauliflower and potato gratin).
Fry the cauliflower in the pan
You can also prepare cauliflower in the pan, but you should cut it into thin slices to cook it. Fry it for about ten minutes in hot oil until it is crispy and don't forget to stir in between.
Steam the cauliflower
The advantage of steam cooking is that the vegetables are prepared gently and retain most of their nutrients. For this cooking method, you need a steamer that you hang in a pot whose bottom is covered with water for a few centimeters. With the lid closed, the cauliflower must then cook for about 20 minutes.
Blanching the cauliflower
If you want to freeze cauliflower, it is necessary to blanch the vegetables in advance and then quench them in ice water. First, you should boil them in plenty of salted water - a whole cauliflower takes about eight minutes, and three minutes are enough for cauliflower florets. After the bath in cold water, drain the cabbage and freeze it or process it directly.
Eating cauliflower raw
Yes, you read correctly: Cauliflower can be eaten raw! Either as a small snack in between or as an ingredient in salads. You can also chop the florets in a blender or with a grater and then prepare cauliflower rice - there are no limits.
Puree the cauliflower
If you have never eaten cauliflower puree before, you should definitely make up for it. The preparation is very easy: Just boil the vegetables with some water until soft and then puree them with a potato masher or hand blender. Now you can serve the puree as a side dish or conjure up a cauliflower soup.
