Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower "Popcorn"

I had the kids pick out a vegetable that we don't normally eat at the grocery store yesterday.  The Boy picked out a cauliflower.  When I suggested we try roasting it so it looked like popcorn, he was ridiculously excited.

And, after trying it, I ran out to the store and got two more heads of cauliflower and roasted them up, too!
This is wonderfully good for you, too.  According to Sparkrecipes, a third a head of cauliflower has only a little over 100 calories, 7g of fiber, and also has folate, iron, Vitamin C, Vitamin B-6... it's a good snack!

Update - Orange and Pale Green Cauliflower!
I used a little parmesan cheese and garlic powder and salt on them, but you could play with the additions. Lots of possibilities!  I want to try it with different colored cauliflower!  They have orange and purple... could be fun!  Update: I found orange and pale green cauliflower - still looking for purple... so much fun, and delicious to boot!

Roasted Cauliflower "Popcorn"

1 head cauliflower
2-3 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
salt to taste

Preheat the oven to 400 F.  Break the cauliflower up into small florets.  Put into a bowl and add olive oil.  Shake to coat.
It's fun to get help when you are shaking the cauliflower
Sprinkle with cheese and garlic powder and coat well.  Spread onto a large sheet pan lined with parchment paper.  Salt lightly.

Roast for 30-40 minutes, shaking occasionally.  Remove when lightly browned and crispy and enjoy.


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14 comments:

  1. Okay, I have never been a lover of cauliflower but this looks amazing!!

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  2. I have a cauliflower in my fridge. Making this tonight. Thanks!! :)

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  3. I just now pulled this out of the oven. DIVINE!!! Question - I didn't have parchment paper so I made them anyway, but does that help to make it crispy?

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  4. I too want to know if parchment is necessary and if it makes it crispier.

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    1. I use parchment mostly for easy clean up.. don't know if it helps with crispiness. When my second batch wasn't as crispy, I just cooked it longer and it turned out great. (I need to make another batch!)

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    2. Thanks! My oven was already in use for dinner so I made garlic Parmesan mashed cauliflower and it was so good! I have another head for 'popcorn'.

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  5. Made this tonight Astrid. We loved it! Now I'm pinning it. ;)

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  6. I love it roasted, too, but omit any cheese. Just OO and kosher salt. Mmmmmm.

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  7. Made this last night - between the fam, we ate two heads of cauliflower with no left overs. Not all loved it, but most did - I will def. make it again. Thanks for the great idea. - Lisa

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  8. Does it reheat.. or is this a make it and eat it sort of thing? I have my head of cauliflower all cut up in the fridge to make this tomorrow! :)

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  9. It is best and crispiest fresh, but I've put it in the kids' lunchboxes and they have eaten it cold/room temperature without problems. Hope that you like it! :)

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  10. My 8 year old declared this "super delicious"! I'll definitely be making more! I added a little cheese when it came out of the oven also. I hope it packs well in lunches because she requested it in hers. Thanks so much!

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