19 Ways We Love Cauliflower

All other vegetables pale in comparison to this alabaster crucifer

By | Published Jan 07, 2016 8:30 PM

Shaved Cauliflower and Radicchio Salad
Aleppo pepper (a tangy Middle Eastern spice), raisins, and raw cauliflower marry in this simple yet unusual salad. Get the recipe for Shaved Cauliflower and Radicchio Salad » Joseph De Leo

Roasted, raw, stewed, charred—take almost any cooking technique and apply it to cauliflower, and it’ll likely result in something delicious. From paprika-spiced Hungarian soup to Middle Eastern rice, these are our 19 favorite cauliflower dishes that prove the versatility of the hearty cold-weather vegetable.

Pappardelle with Cauliflower and Mustard Brown Butter

Simple ingredients—chewy, charred cauliflower, fried capers and bread crumbs, and browned butter, bolstered by whole grain mustard—combine for the ultimate late-winter pasta. Get the recipe for Pappardelle with Cauliflower and Mustard Brown Butter »

Pasta with Cauliflower in a Spicy Pink Sauce

Earthy sweet cauliflower adds body to this comforting pasta baked in a comforting, spicy tomato-cream sauce. Get the recipe for Pasta with Cauliflower in a Spicy Pink Sauce »

Cauliflower, Cabbage, and Carrot Achaar (Malaysian-Style Pickle)

This Malaysian-style mixed vegetable pickle is made with a rempah, or spice paste, stirred into the brine for an extra boost of flavor and texture. Get the recipe for Cauliflower, Cabbage, and Carrot Achaar (Malaysian-Style Pickle) »

Spicy Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini

Spicy Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini

Lamb and Cauliflower Stew with Harissa

For this Middle Eastern–spiced stew, cauliflower stems are minced and sautéed in the mirepoix to add flavor, while the florets are broiled and added at the end of cooking to offer crunch and body. Get the recipe for Lamb and Cauliflower Stew with Harissa »

Sweet and Sour Vegetables with Poached Egg

Ginger, lemongrass, and maple vinegar add a warm base note to this dish, which is packed with root vegetables, and topped with a crisp greens and a poached egg.

Cauliflower and Goat Cheese Souffles

Cauliflower and Goat Cheese Souffles

Shaved Cauliflower and Radicchio Salad

Aleppo pepper (a tangy Middle Eastern spice), raisins, and raw cauliflower marry in this simple yet unusual salad. Get the recipe for Shaved Cauliflower and Radicchio Salad »

Charred Cauliflower and Shishito Peppers with Picada Sauce

Picada is a Catalan-style pesto, made here with almonds, parsley, and chocolate—a surprise ingredient that adds a pleasing touch of bitterness to this delicious side dish. Get the recipe for Charred Cauliflower and Shishito Peppers with Picada Sauce »

Upside-Down Rice with Cauliflower, Eggplant, and Lamb (Maqloubeh)

The name of this dish, Arabic for “upside down,” aptly describes the layered one-pot meal of spiced lamb, rice, and vegetables that is inverted before serving.

Gemelli with Roasted Garlic and Cauliflower

Cauliflower roasted until sweet with garlic and cumin gets tossed with toothsome gemelli pasta, golden raisins, and slivered almonds for crunch. Get the recipe for Gemelli with Roasted Garlic and Cauliflower »

Paprika-Spiced Cauliflower Soup (Karfiolleves)

Tiny dumplings called galuska enhance this Hungarian spice-laden, vegetarian soup—to make them, simply drop bits of dough into the simmering broth.

Olive Oil-Braised Vegetables

This flavorful mix of vegetables is braised in olive oil that’s been infused with rosemary, chile flakes, lemon, and anchovies.

Cauliflower with Tomato Sauce (Gulpea)

Florets of cauliflower are stewed in a fragrant garlic-laced tomato sauce of fried onion, spices, and jalapeño in this Afghan dish from Nawida Saidhosin, a home cook and teacher from New York’s League of Kitchens. Get the recipe for Cauliflower with Tomato Sauce (Gulpea) »

Grilled Vegetable Salad (Sallad på Rostade Grönsaker)

Grilled Vegetable Salad

Crispy Calamari with Pesto Mayonnaise

Chef Jim Leiken of DBGB in New York City serves pesto-spiked mayonnaise as a dipping sauce for fried calamari, cauliflower, and chickpeas.

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