Sticky Sesame Cauliflower – the sweet, sticky, & addictively delicious dish that tastes like a better-for-you version of Panda Express!
A few weeks ago, I got a text from a friend saying his sister was trying to add more vegan meals to her diet and asking if I had any good tips.
The first advice I had was something I always recommend to anyone who wants to incorporate more plant-based meals into their diet, especially for non-vegans just trying to eat more meatless meals in general.
My first recommendation is to NOT replace meat with vegan meat substitutes, which can just set you up for disappointment when you expect one thing and get another. Instead, think of it as an opportunity to explore new recipes and look at vegetables in a whole new light. So many people never venture further from preparing vegetables in a “mainstream” way—such as steamed or in a side salad—but when you start looking at vegetables as the main event, it opens up a brand new realm of possibilities.
Try taking one of your favorite meat-based recipes and recreating it with your favorite vegetable instead.
Think Kung Pao Eggplant, Mushroom Stroganoff, Sweet Potato Tacos, or Lentil Sloppy Joes.
Or this sticky-sweet sesame cauliflower.
The best part of sesame chicken has always been the sauce… it’s the sauce, not the chicken, that makes you crave Panda Express every time you walk past the food court in the mall. It’s the sauce, not the chicken, that makes sesame chicken so addictive.
And this healthy meatless makeover of the classic recipe keeps all the goodness of that sticky-sweet sesame sauce intact. Plus, since you’re not using a fake meat substitute, there’s no expectation—subconscious or otherwise—that the dish will taste like chicken. Non-vegan dinner guests won’t be wary of trying a taste.
And then another taste…
And then one more…
Cauliflower—the darling vegetable of 2016—is definitely having a moment.
And with more and more cauliflower-based products hitting shelves each day, the cauliflower excitement doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. If you’ve read my blog for a while, you know I’ve loved cauliflower since long before it was trendy. The following are just a few of the cauliflower recipes you can find on my blog. Starting with the craziest first:
Vegetarian Enchiladas – with Cauliflower Sour Cream
I’m predicting cauliflower is going to be the most popular vegetable of 2017 as well!
Note: When I researched soy sauce alternatives online, I found a few comments who said you can combine 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce with a tbsp or two of water to replace half cup of soy sauce. I haven’t tried it, but if anyone successfully tries this or another option, please feel free to report back for other readers.
Sticky Sesame Cauliflower
Sticky Sesame Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 small head cauliflower, chopped (6 1/2 cups florets)
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup, honey, or agave
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 ½ tsp toasted sesame oil
- ½ tsp powdered ginger
- 1 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot
- 1/4 cup water
- sesame seeds and scallions, for garnish
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 450 F. Grease a baking pan or line with parchment. Cut cauliflower into florets, then slice so one side of each floret is flat. Arrange in a single layer in the greased pan. Bake 10 minutes on the center rack. Meanwhile, whisk together the soy sauce, sweetener, vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, and ginger in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. While waiting, stir together the cornstarch and water until cornstarch dissolves fully, then slowly whisk this into the saucepan as soon as it boils. Turn heat to medium and cook 2 minutes, stirring more frequently once it returns to a boil. Flip cauliflower florets and bake 8 additional minutes. Pour sauce over florets, then bake an additional 3 minutes or until florets begin to crisp and sauce thickens. If desired, you can now move the pan to the top rack and broil 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle sesame seeds and optional scallions on top, and serve.
Link Of The Day:
Flourless Nutella Blender Muffins
Find more healthy recipes like this Sticky Sesame Cauliflower at Chocolate Covered Katie.
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