Sashi Made A Recipe: Cauliflower Burger "Buns", "Tortillas", and "Pizza Crust"

 

A few years ago, I was diagnosed with a wheat intolerance and I really do feel better when I avoid it. But bread is GOOD! So, so good. So I try to not have wheat more than once a day, if at all. I have tried so many (bad) wheat-free alternatives that, most of the time, I'd rather just do without bread or pasta. So coming up with a "bun" made with just cauliflower, egg, and cheese is a wonderful, wonderful thing! This same mixture can be used to make "tortillas" and "pizza crust!"AND they use frozen riced cauliflower to make it even easier!

Cauliflower "Buns"

• 10-12 oz bag frozen riced cauliflower, either thawed or microwaved for 1 minute less than the directions
• 1 egg
• 1 oz finely shredded part-skim mozzarella (preshredded will work okay but shredding it yourself will work better since it melts better)
• Optional: 1 tsp seasoning of your choice, like garlic powder

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment and set aside.
2. Place the thawed riced cauliflower in a large clean kitchen towel (NOT terry cloth) or several layers of strong paper towels. Gather up the corners of the towel and squeeze, squeeze, SQUEEZE as much moisture as you possibly can from the cauliflower.  
3. Add the dried riced cauliflower to a medium bowl and stir in the egg, cheese, and optional seasoning until well mixed.
4. Take 1/4 of the mixture and gently form it into a ball with your hands. Place it on the prepared baking sheet and gently press it into a flat 3" circle. Repeat with the rest of the mixture for a total of 4 "bun" halves.
5. Bake for 20 minutes then flip each one. Bake for 5-10 minutes more.
6. Cool on a wire baking rack then refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use.

Makes 2 "buns" 

On WW Blue 💙: 1 point for 1

Cauliflower "Tortillas"

• 10-12 oz bag frozen riced cauliflower, either thawed or microwaved for 1 minute less than the directions
• 1 egg
• 1 oz finely shredded part-skim mozzarella (preshredded will work okay but shredding it yourself will work better since it melts better)
• Optional: 1 tsp seasoning of your choice, like taco seasoning or chili powder

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment and set aside.
2. Place the thawed riced cauliflower in a large clean kitchen towel (NOT terry cloth) or several layers of strong paper towels. Gather up the corners of the towel and squeeze, squeeze, SQUEEZE as much moisture as you possibly can from the cauliflower.  
3. Add the dried riced cauliflower to a medium bowl and stir in the egg, cheese, and optional seasoning until well mixed.
4. Take 1/3 of the mixture and gently form it into a ball with your hands. Place it on the prepared baking sheet and gently press it into a flat 5-6" circle. You want it as thin as possible but not so thin you get holes. Repeat with the rest for a total of 3.
5. Bake for 10 minutes then flip each one. Bake for 5 minutes more.
6. Cool on a wire baking rack then refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use.

Makes 3 "tortillas"

On WW Blue 💙: 3 pts for all 3

Cauliflower "Pizza Crust"

• 2 ~ 10-12 oz bag frozen riced cauliflower, either thawed or microwaved for 1 minute less than the directions
• 2 eggs
• 1.5 oz finely shredded part-skim mozzarella (preshredded will work okay but shredding it yourself will work better since it melts better)
• Optional: 2 tsp seasoning of your choice, like garlic powder and oregano 

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet or pizza pan with parchment and set aside.
2. Place the thawed riced cauliflower in a large clean kitchen towel (NOT terry cloth) or several layers of strong paper towels. Gather up the corners of the towel and squeeze, squeeze, SQUEEZE as much moisture as you possibly can from the cauliflower.  
3. Add the dried riced cauliflower to a medium bowl and stir in the egg, cheese, and optional seasoning until well mixed.
4. Form the mixture into a ball on the prepared baking sheet and gently press it into a flat 11" circle. 
5. Bake for 25 minutes then carefully flip it on the pan. Bake for 5-10 minutes more.
6. If you have the time, let it cool on a wire rack before using it, but it's not necessary. 
7. Top it with minimal sauce (too much will make it soggy) and whatever topping you like. Bake for 10-12 minutes. 
8. Cut and serve.

Makes 1 ~ 11" crust

On WW Blue 💙: 4 points for the whole crust

Served with my Jalapeño Black Bean Burgers

Sashi Made A Recipe: Roasted Lime Cauliflower Tacos

 

I've been trying to incorporate more meatless meals into the rotation and this is one that I think is going to become a regular around here.  It's very slightly adapted from the first Thug Kitchen (now called Bad Manners) cookbook which never fails me when it comes to recipes and good food. I have all 3 of their books and plan to get the newest one when it comes out in November... or after Yule if I don't get it as a gift. (*wink, wink*)

Roasted Lime Cauliflower Tacos with Quick Lime Slaw

adapted from the Roasted Beer and Lime Cauliflower Tacos recipe on pg 166 

For the tacos

• 1 head of cauliflower (~1.5 lbs)
• 1 cup vegetables or chicken broth (I used 1 packet of sodium free chicken bouillon from Herb-ox mixed with 1 cup hot water)
• 1.5 Tbsp hot sauce (I used Cholula)
• 1 Tbsp lime juice
• 1 1/2 tsp coconut aminos or low sodium soy sauce
• 1 1/4 tsp garlic powder, divided 
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp paprika 
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 8 corn or flour tortillas
• Quick Lime Slaw, below
• Optional toppings: sliced avocado, diced tomatoes, roasted corn, etc.

For the Quick Lime Slaw 

• 2 Tbsp lime juice
• 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried cilantro,  optional
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt 
• 12-16 oz package of cole slaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots)

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil and spritz lightly with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Cut the cauliflower into small bite size pieces. In a large saucepan, mix together the broth, hot sauce, lime juice, coconut aminos/soy sauce, and 1 tsp garlic powder.  Heat over medium-high heat until it starts to simmer. Add the cauliflower and stir to coat the cauliflower. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Drain and set the cauliflower aside. 
3. In a large bowl, stir together the olive oil, chili powder,  paprika,  remaining 1/4 tsp garlic powder,  cumin, and salt. Add the drained cauliflower and toss to coat well.
4. Spread the cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes,  stirring once halfway through.
5. Meanwhile,  rinse out the large bowl and dry it with a clean towel. In it, stir together the lime juice, rice vinegar,  olive oil, dried cilantro, and salt. Stir in the cole slaw mix until well coated. 
6. Serve the cauliflower on tortillas topped with the slaw and any additional toppings that catch your fancy.

Makes ~8 tacos

On WW Blue 💙: 1 pt for 2 tacos, not counting the tortillas 

Sashi Made A Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas with Cauliflower Tortillas

 

Not gonna lie, I am kind of obsessed with this meal. I've been making these fajitas once a week for about a month and a half now because they are SO EASY! I usually end up eating mine over riced cauliflower because flour tortillas make my stomach hurt and I'm just not a fan of corn tortillas. Tonight, though, I wanted to eat my fajitas like a real person. So I modified the cauliflower pizza crust I've been making (post to come soon) and tortillas.  They were so soft and tasty!

Cauliflower Tortillas  

• 10-12 oz bag frozen riced cauliflower (I use Birds Eye because it is a finer texture)
• 1 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese, as finely grated as possible (I used a microplane grater - put it in the freezer for 10 minutes to make it a little firm, if needed)
• 1 egg
• Optional: 2 tsp of seasoning of your choice (I used garlic powder)

1. Microwave or cook the cauliflower according to package directions.  Let cool until cool enough to handle.
2. Empty the package on a clean tea towel or buttload of paper towels. (That's the official measurement for A LOT of paper towels.)
3. Gather up the edges of the towel. Over the sink or a bowl, SQUEEZE as much of the moisture out of the cauliflower as you can. You want the cauliflower as dry as possible.
4. Optional step: spread the cauliflower out in a fine mesh sieve and let it set for at least 10 minutes to dry out more.
5. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment.
6. Add the riced cauliflower to a medium bowl and add the rest of the ingredients. Mix well with a spoon.
7. With clean hands, take 1/4 of the mixture and press it into a ball with your hands. Place it on the parchment on the baking sheet and gently press it into a 5"-6" circle,  making it as thin as possible without creating holes.
8. Repeat with the rest of the mixture to make a total of 4 tortillas. 
9. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until starting to brown around the edges. Very carefully flip the tortillas and bake for another 5 minutes.
10. Remove the tortillas from the pan and let cool on a wire rack. 
11. I served them right away after making the fajitas so I don't know yet how they hold up after time. I've read that you can store them in the fridge or freezer then reheat for a couple minutes in a skillet but I've personally not tried it. Yet.

Makes 4 tortillas 

On WW Blue 💙: 2 points for all 4, 1 point for 2

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas 

• Nonstick cooking spray 
• 3 bell peppers, deseeded, cut into quarters and cut into 1/2" slices (or 2 peppers and a small onion, sliced)
• 1 - 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2" slices
• 1 Tbsp low sodium taco or fajita seasoning (I used  FlavorGod's Fiesta Sweet and Tangy)
• Pinch of kosher salt 

1. Set the broiler to high with the rack in the top 1/3 of the oven
2. Cover a large sheet pan with heavy duty foil and spray with nonstick spray.
3. Spread out the peppers (and onion, if using) on the outer parts of the pan.
4. Spread the chicken pieces in a single layer in the center. Sprinkle the chicken with taco seasoning. Sprinkle the entire pan with a pinch of salt.
5. Broil for 10 minutes, watching to make sure the chicken and peppers don't burn, stirring once halfway through. Cut the thickest piece in half. If it's white, you're done! If not, broil for a couple more minutes. 
6. Serve on tortillas with your favorite toppings 

Serves 4-6

On WW Blue 💙, 0 points per serving!

Sashi Made A Recipe: Spicy Korean Inspired Cauliflower Bites

 I have a mild-to-moderate obsession with cauliflower.  I really do. It and broccoli are my go-to for side dishes, but cauliflower is also the star in some main dishes as well. My grocery store was out of pre cut florets this week so Andy was sweet and cut this up for me. This ended up being really spicy but in a very good way! I made it as a side for Thai Lettuce Wraps and ended up using the lettuce leaves for this as well. I'm excited for the leftovers tomorrow!

Spicy Korean Inspired Cauliflower Bites

• 12-14 c cut cauliflower florets (~2 small heads, 1 lg head, or 24oz bag)
• Nonstick olive oil spray
• 2 Tbsp and 1/2 c gochujang paste, divided
• 1/4 c low sodium soy sauce 
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup or honey
• 1 Tbsp chile garlic paste
• Up to 2 Tbsp water, for thinning

1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil and spritz lightly with oil spray. Set aside. 
2. In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower and 2 Tbsp gochujang together until the cauliflower is well coated. Spread the florets evenly on the baking sheet and spritz very lightly with the oil spray. Reserve the large bowl. No need to clean! Bake for 10 minutes. 
3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the remaining gochujang and the rest of the ingredients, adding in only enough water to make the sauce pourable but still on the thick side.
4. Remove the cauliflower from the oven and turn the temperature up to 500°F. (Yes, 500°. Trust me!) Put the florets back into the large bowl and pour the sauce over the cauliflower.  Using tongs, toss the florets until they are well coated with the sauce.
5. Spritz the pan with additional oil and, using the tongs, arrange the cauliflower back on the baking sheet.  Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender and has started to brown.
6. Serve with lettuce cups, optional

Makes 4 servings

On WW Blue 💙, each serving is 4 pts

Sashi Made A Recipe: Cauliflower "Nachos"

This isn't so much a recipe as it is...an idea? Technique? I have no idea. I just know it was yummy and healthier than loading it with tortilla chips. And it was very simple. My favorite! It starts with roasted cauliflower. I am lazy so I usually try to buy my cauliflower (and broccoli) precut. The extra cost is worth it to me. Either way, make sure the florets are cut into bite-sized pieces.

Cauliflower "Nachos"

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with olive oil cooking spray. 
2. Spread the cut up cauliflower in an even layer on the baking sheet. Spritz very lightly with oil then sprinkle with your favorite taco seasoning or Tex-Mex flavors.
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes until you can easily pierce the pieces with a sharp knife.
4. Remove from the oven and stir the cauliflower pieces.
5. Bunch the cauliflower in the center of the pan and top with your favorite nacho toppings. I used some of the Mexican Street Corn Style Salad I made the other day.
6. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and return the pan to the oven for about 5 minutes to warm the topping and melt the cheese.