Three Delicious Cauliflower Recipes

I have such a strange addiction to cauliflower lately – don’t ask me why! I have like five cauliflower heads in my fridge and they all have a purpose.

I have been eating ketogenic lately (with bananas as a treat because y’know… bananas are delicious). I can’t even explain how much better I have been feeling mentally and physically eating both ketogenic and meat-free. It is hard though, I will admit to find recipes that are compliant to both and there’s many nights I find myself eating pre-made cauliflower mash, steamed mixed vegetables and asparagus for supper. Mind you, it’s all delicious still.

Today I decided to share my three favourite ketogenic cauliflower recipes – cauliflower crust pizza, spicy cauliflower bites and cauliflower and cheese (mac and cheese but with cauliflower instead). Personally I find myself eating the cauliflower pizza and cauliflower and cheese more, however, the spicy cauliflower bites are delicious, too. I quite often sit down on a Thursday night with cauliflower bites and keto mozza sticks for How to Get Away With Murder.

Cauliflower crust pizza

Unfortunately, the pizza above had seen better days after I forgot to take it out of the oven after I turned the oven off, lol. However it’s so simple and so easy. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Take a head of cauliflower, rice it in a food processor then throw it in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 4-5 minute. I always line the bowl with 3 layers of paper towel underneath.

While it’s in the microwave, put one egg, 1 tsp. of garlic, 1 tsp. of basil and 1/4 to 1/2  cup of shredded mozzarella cheese in a bowl. I always use closer to a half cup, but that’s because I’m a cheese addict. Just leave it until you add the cauliflower.

When the cauliflower is finished, take a cloth or paper towel (which is why I put the paper towel there beforehand) to squeeze out the excess water. Then mix it in with the stuff you’ve already put together and mix until it has a dough-y texture.

Scoop it out onto a piece of parchment paper – I put the parchment paper on a cookie sheet so it doesn’t tear in the oven. Then make it into a pizza crust shape with your hands. Put it in the oven for 10-15 minutes, until the crust in a golden brown colour.

Once it’s finished, add toppings of your choice (I usually put spinach, a bit of tomato, a bit of feta & mozzarella on it) then put it under the broiler until the cheese is melted! Let it sit for a few minutes to cool off then enjoy!

Microwave Free Option – if you prefer to not use a microwave, you can heat the cauliflower stove-top then rice it after it’s been cooked! It works just as well.

Spicy cauliflower bites

These are a take on cauliflower wings but much more spicy and delicious!

Preheat the oven to 425 and grease a casserole dish for starters! I mix about 1/4 cup of hot sauce and egg together in one cup. Then I mix together almond flour and garlic in another. I cut up the cauliflower into pieces (usually each piece separately).

Then I dip the cauliflower in the egg mix then the flour. After each piece, I put it into the casserole dish until all of the cauliflower pieces are in the dish.

I put it in the oven for about 15 minutes. I pull it out and pour hot\ sauce on cauliflower. I put it back into the oven for another 5-8 minutes and pull it out when it looks crispy.

“Cauliflower” Mac and Cheese

This is hands down the #1 recipe in my kitchen. I make it 2-3 times per week and never get sick of it. I always start with preheating my oven to 425 and greasing a casserole dish (same as the bites!).

Once the oven is preheating, I steam the cauliflower. It honestly depends on my mood that day whether I put it in the microwave or do it stovetop. Once cooked, I put into the casserole dish.

In a saucepan at medium-high heat, I mix together 1/4 cup of cream cheese, 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of milk (you could also use heavy cream, it just upsets my stomach!) Once it’s melted, I pour it on top of the cauliflower. Then I sprinkle extra shredded cheese on top.

I put this in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted.

Added taste tip – I always add a teaspoon of garlic to the cheese sauce and it gives it such a good extra kick! I then use hot sauce on top of the cauliflower & cheese when I’m eating it! So delicious.

Read More

Gluten Free Turkey Meatballs

When I was diagnosed with Celiac disease five years ago, I was relying solely on premade products from the gluten free aisle in my grocery store. I ended up gaining sixty pounds within six months of my diagnosis as the foods are so carb-y and full of sugars and additives. About two and a half years ago, I decided to make it my mission to find and develop recipes that worked for me by me, instead of the prepacked stuff I was finding at the grocery store.

One of my friends at the time was a bodybuilder so she was full of recipes that she found out of boredom and while playing around in the kitchen! These turkey meatballs were one creation that she introduced me to and I have been making regularly ever since.

I personally love these meatballs and since they're only three ingredients, they're so simple and affordable. I personally like to make them with pasta, a chopped up grilled pepper, spaghetti sauce and Parmesan cheese! One of my girlfriends eats hers with a quinoa/brown rice mix, which also is an awesome idea.

Recipe

1 package of lean ground turkey
1/2 zucchini
2 tsp. Mrs. Dash original OR Mrs. Dash Herb & Garlic

Preheat oven to 350° F. While it is heating up, chop up your zucchini. Then put your zucchini, turkey and Mrs. Dash into a bowl together and mix it up! I personally prefer to put on a pair of rubber gloves and mix it all up with my hands; it makes it blend much better together. Once they're mixed together, roll them up into balls and place them on a cookie sheet. Cook them for 30 minutes at 350° and voila, you have the simplest turkey meatballs.

I hope you enjoyed this post, and let me know if you would like some more easy gluten free recipe ideas!

Read More