Boiled cauliflower - how to cook it correctly and several recipes

Hello everyone, friends.

Boiled cauliflower is a very popular product in modern cooking. The recipe describes a detailed technology for cooking cauliflower florets in a saucepan: how to prepare it for cooking, how much water to use, how long to cook the cauliflower after boiling, as well as the main secrets of preparing this, at first glance, simple dish.

Cauliflower boiled in water retains a large amount of useful microelements that give our body a sufficient dose of vitamin A, C, D, iron, and calcium. It is very important to know how to prepare this dish correctly so that it does not lose its benefits.

Cooking secrets

To make cabbage tasty, beautiful and healthy, it is important to know these little tricks:

• Soaking in milk for half an hour will help remove the bitter taste of overgrown heads of cabbage;
• To ensure that the cauliflower remains snow-white after cooking and does not darken, you can add 1 teaspoon of vinegar to the water;
• to provide complementary foods to your baby, you do not need to add salt to the cooking water;
• Frozen cauliflower is cooked in the same way as fresh, only 5 minutes longer (there is no need to defrost it before cooking).

There is also a secret that will help you cook this vegetable and avoid unpleasant odors throughout the house.

You need to moisten gauze or thin cotton cloth in a water-vinegar solution (1 tablespoon of vinegar per 1 liter of water) and cover the boiling pan.

How to choose cauliflower

Good fresh and frozen cabbage is creamy. The coloring should be uniform, without dark, yellow or any other spots.

The head of fresh cabbage should be firm and elastic, and the inflorescences should fit tightly together. Pay attention to the leaves at the base of the head of cabbage: they should not be limp, dry or spoiled.

How long to cook cabbage before frying

There are many dishes in cooking where cauliflower is the main or additional ingredient. This is a classic version of a fried vegetable in batter, simply boiled, marinated or with a special sauce. In any recipe, before starting cooking, fresh cabbage should be boiled. But this process is very scrupulous, because you need to know how long to cook it so that it does not boil over and lose its beneficial properties and taste. Cooking cauliflower:

• 7 minutes - in a saucepan before further frying the vegetable.
• 30 minutes - in a double boiler at full power.
• 15 minutes – cooking using a multicooker.
• 3-5 minutes - in the microwave.

How to make cauliflower pancakes simply and deliciously

If you were not surprised by cauliflower cutlets, then pancakes made from this vegetable will definitely surprise you. This is a very healthy breakfast. I don’t remember where I read this simple recipe, but I really liked the idea and decided to try it. I succeeded and now I am sharing the recipe with you. Even when cooled, they remain fluffy, soft and very tasty. They are very easy and simple to prepare. They keep their shape perfectly and can be eaten with sour cream or any other sauce.

Ingredients

• Cauliflower – 500 grams
• Eggs - 2 pcs.
• Garlic - 2 cloves
• Cheese - 50 grams
• Regular pea flour - 5 tbsp. l.
• Salt - 1 tsp.
• Sugar - 1 tsp.
• Kefir - 50 ml.
• Vegetable oil - for frying
• Greens - to taste

Everything is as usual, you need to work with boiled cabbage, so boil it for 5 minutes in salted water and chop it using a blender. Why a blender and not a meat grinder? It’s simple, it’s easier to clean and takes up less space. But if you want, then twist it in a meat grinder or you can even cut it with a knife.

Add salt, sugar, finely chopped herbs and grated cheese with a couple of cloves of garlic to the chopped cabbage. Mix lightly.

Pour out the kefir and add pea flour. If you don’t have one, it doesn’t matter, just grind the pea kernels in a coffee grinder. Mix again.

Form pancakes with a spoon and fry in a frying pan with the addition of vegetable oil until cooked, on both sides.

Such pancakes are not just tasty and beautiful, but also healthy, because they are prepared with love and only from natural ingredients. I think that few of your guests have tried this. Therefore, you have the opportunity to surprise them.

How to prepare cauliflower

Frozen inflorescences do not need to be thawed or washed first. If there is snow on them, just brush it off.

From a fresh head of cabbage, you must first tear off the leaves. Cut the vegetable into four parts along the stalk. Then remove it and disassemble the cabbage into inflorescences.

There is another way. Remove the leaves from the head of cabbage and cut off the lower protruding part of the stalk. Using a knife, remove the inflorescences from it in a circle. If they are large, take them apart by hand or cut them.

Rinse the chopped inflorescences thoroughly under cool running water.

Cauliflower stalks can also be eaten. You just need to peel off the top layer from them.

How to cook cauliflower correctly

This product cannot be stored as long as white cabbage, so it needs to be cooked as quickly as possible, otherwise it can quickly spoil. If it is stored for too long, the surface begins to turn black. Before cooking, cauliflower must be properly prepared:

• cut off the stalk below the branch;
• remove leaves;
• remove rotten parts of the cabbage; if the tops have darkened or wilted, clean them with a grater;
• Before cooking, place the forks in salted water (two tablespoons per liter) - this will help eliminate pests that might remain inside;
• Rinse the forks in cold water.

If you are preparing portioned dishes, then do not separate the head of cabbage, but to prepare a side dish, it can be disassembled into inflorescences.

Classic recipe in a saucepan

For several centuries, fresh cauliflower, at the initial stage of preparation, is boiled in a saucepan. This provides it with the necessary softness and helps to reveal the best taste qualities. This process takes a minimum of time and effort, and the finished result can amaze even the most demanding gourmets. What you need for cooking:

• Fresh cauliflower – 1 head.
• Small enamel saucepan.
• Table salt – a small pinch.
• Water.

Step-by-step description of the process of how to cook cauliflower:

1. Cut the cauliflower head lengthwise and divide into small florets. It is advisable to make all parts the same size so that they cook evenly and at the same time.
2. Place the inflorescences in a container, add water so that it lightly covers the cabbage, and lightly salt.
3. Place on high heat and let it boil. Cook vegetables for 7 minutes.
4. If you cover the pan with a lid during cooking, the vegetables will turn yellow. To preserve the snow-white color, cook in an open container, and add citric acid, lemon juice or vinegar to the water at the tip of a knife.
5. After the time has passed, remove the inflorescences from the water. The remaining broth is rich in vitamins and beneficial properties, so it is ideal for making soup.

Steamed fresh cauliflower in a slow cooker or steamer

In order to preserve the maximum beneficial properties of the vegetable, you need to cook it in a slow cooker or double boiler. This processing method requires a minimum of effort, but the process is a little longer in time than, for example, cooking in a pan. Cooking cauliflower using modern kitchen appliances is a real pleasure, and the resulting tasty and healthy vegetable will be enjoyed by all your close or unexpected guests.

To prepare you will need:

• Fresh cauliflower – 1 head.
• Water.
• Multicooker or steamer.
• A small pinch of salt.
• Fresh cauliflower

Step-by-step cooking process:

1. Soak the head of cabbage in cold water for fifteen minutes - this will help get rid of dirt and insects.
2. Divide the product into equal inflorescences.
3. Pour water into the bowl of a multicooker or steamer, place a steaming container on top, and place the inflorescences there.
4. Close the lid of the device, select the “Steam” mode. The cooking time depends on the capabilities and functionality of the equipment, but you should roughly focus on the following indicators: multicooker - 13-18 minutes, double boiler - 25-30.
5. At the end of cooking, put the product out and let it cool slightly before proceeding with further manipulations.

Oven baked cauliflower with cheese and mushrooms

Continuing the theme of casseroles, I would like to present another option. Just add some vegetables and your casserole will sparkle with new colors. Today we have mushrooms, carrots and onions, and this is very filling and tasty. You can surprise your guests with this dish even on a holiday. I think that more than one housewife will be interested in this recipe. And this is the main praise for a cook!

By preparing this cauliflower casserole with mushrooms, you will be guaranteed a very tasty and satisfying dinner. Prepare and you will not regret...

Ingredients

• Cauliflower - 1 head
• Champignon mushrooms – 500 grams
• Egg - 2 pcs.
• Milk – 0.5 liters
• Onion - 1 pc.
• Carrots - 1 pc.
• Processed cheese - 2 pcs.
• Hard cheese - 50 grams
• Seasonings - to taste
• Salt and ground pepper - to taste

Boil the cabbage for 3 minutes in salted water, cool and divide into small inflorescences.

In a frying pan in vegetable oil, fry finely chopped onion and grated carrots until golden brown.

After this, add the champignons cut into slices into the frying pan. There is no need to cover with a lid. On the contrary, you need to evaporate all the moisture and lightly fry them. At the very end, add salt and pepper to taste. If desired, you can add your favorite spices.

Now let's prepare the filling.

Mix 2 eggs, milk and finely chopped processed cheese. Using a blender, beat until smooth. At the end, add salt and pepper to taste.

Grease a baking dish with vegetable oil and lay out a layer of cauliflower. Place a layer of fried vegetables with mushrooms on top and fill with egg wash.

All that remains is to sprinkle generously with grated cheese and bake.

Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes at 180 degrees, until light and beautiful crust.

Ready!

A simple way to boil until done in the microwave

It often happens that there is very little time to prepare dinner, but you really want to please your loved ones with something tasty and healthy. The ideal option is cauliflower, and to save time on boiling, this process should be done in the microwave. To prepare you will need the following ingredients and attributes:

• Fresh cauliflower.
• Water – 3-5 tbsp. l.
• Salt – 0.5 teaspoon.
• Microwave container. It is important to remember: metal utensils cannot be used for cooking - this can lead to equipment breakdown.

How to cook cauliflower step by step in the microwave:

1. Peel all the leaves, divide the head of cabbage into inflorescences and rinse thoroughly under running cool water.
2. Place the vegetables in a bowl, add a few tablespoons of water and a pinch of salt.
3. Cover the container with a lid and place in the microwave.
4. Turn on the microwave at full power and cook for four minutes, then stir the inflorescences and cook for another 3 minutes.
5. It’s very easy to check for readiness - the stems become softer and can be easily pierced with a knife.

Delicious cabbage casserole with chicken in the oven

Well, what is a casserole without meat? Well, let's add tender boiled chicken! And for a good connection we use a floury white sauce, like Bechamel.

This dish looks most impressive if you sprinkle breadcrumbs on top of the cheese - they will create a crust of a chic golden hue.

We will need:

• Flour – 2 cups.
• Milk – 1 glass.
• Boiled chicken meat – 200 gr.
• Hard cheese – 150 gr.
• Butter – 100 gr. + for coating.
• Breadcrumbs - 4 tbsp. l.
• Cauliflower – 1 pc.
• Ground pepper, salt - to taste.

Preparation:

1. Boil the chicken meat in advance until done. Cool it and tear it into oblong pieces with your hands. If you don’t want to fuss with your hands, then use a knife and cut into thin cubes.

2. Boil the prepared and already divided cabbage for about 5 minutes in boiling water with a spoon of salt.

Then drain the broth and cool sharply with ice water. This technique always helps to boil vegetables very quickly and bring them to the desired state of semi-readiness.

3. Coat the inside of a deep cast-iron frying pan or baking dish well with oil.

Sprinkle breading on top. 1-1.5 tbsp is quite enough. l. crispy crumbs. Place the inflorescences in an even layer, and sprinkle the sliced ​​meat on top of them.

4. Now it’s time to prepare the white sauce, which will become the most important link in the casserole.

To do this, heat the oil until liquid and pour the sifted flour into it. Mix well. The result will be something similar to a thick, buttery dough.

5. But we are not going to bake a pie, but to enjoy a casserole.

Therefore, pour milk into the resulting mass in a stream and, by vigorous stirring, cook a thick sauce. Lightly add salt and pepper. If you don't want a spicy taste, you can omit the pepper.

And some people like to add a couple of pinches of nutmeg to give it a light nutty aftertaste.

6. Pour the resulting mixture onto the workpiece. Grate the cheese on top with an even layer and spread the remaining breadcrumbs over our beauty.

7. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and bake our masterpiece for about half an hour.

Readiness can be determined by the appearance of a beautiful golden brown crust and a simply amazing smell.

Cooking cauliflower in the oven

The original way to cook cauliflower is in the oven. Not many people know it, but the resulting dish will not leave indifferent even a person with the most sophisticated taste preferences. In order to cook vegetables you will need the following ingredients and accessories:

• Baking tray with high sides.
• Fresh cauliflower.
• Milk – 3 tablespoons.
• 3 chicken eggs.
• Hard cheese – 150 grams.
• Greens to taste (dill, parsley, herbs).

Step-by-step preparation:

1. Peel fresh cauliflower from green leaves and divide into inflorescences.
2. Rinse thoroughly under running cool water.
3. Place in an enamel pan, add salt, a little water, boil and cook for ten minutes.
4. Rinse under running water and place in a baking tray pre-greased with vegetable oil.
5. In a separate container, beat eggs with milk and add herbs. Pour the mixture over the vegetables, sprinkle with grated cheese.
6. Place in the oven for 20 minutes until completely baked.

An amazingly tasty and healthy snack is ready. This dish is suitable for a quiet family dinner or for a small celebration.

Cauliflower fried in a pan in the best batter

Not only meat or fish is an excellent appetizer in batter, but also the main character of our recipe. But no matter how much I tried to prepare it in the most standard way, for some reason it still fell off and did not please with its airiness in the porous compounds of the inflorescences.

How do they do it in restaurants so that they almost get donuts that you want more and more?

It turns out that the whole secret is that you need to use eggs and always cold sparkling water.

This batter is not only incredibly tasty, but also ideal for a crispy coating on almost any product that you want to make an appetizing dough crust around.

We will need:

• Cauliflower – 400 gr.
• Water – 4 l.
• Milk – 100 ml.
• Flour – 100 gr. + for sprinkling.
• Sparkling water – 50 ml.
• Dry white wine – 2 tbsp. l.
• Bay leaf – 2 pcs.
• Salt - 2 tbsp. l. + to taste
• Egg – 2 pcs.
• Sunflower oil – 1 tbsp. l. + for deep frying
• Lemon juice – 1/3 tsp.
• Basil, ground black pepper, paprika, favorite spices - to taste.

Preparation:

1. Pour 2 liters of cool water into a deep bowl or pan. Dissolve salt in it and soak the cabbage for 5 minutes.

This will remove all beetle-like inhabitants of the garden that have crawled into the juicy pulp. You can place a second pan in parallel with the other half of the water to heat over low heat.

2. In the meantime, there are a few free minutes, it’s better not to waste them, but to start preparing our magic batter.

Separate the whites from the yolks in any convenient way and send the transparent consistency to cool in the general chamber of the refrigerator.

You will need the yolks right away. Combine them with cold sparkling water and wine, add oil, season with spices and a pinch of salt. Beat the resulting mixture until foam appears using a whisk or blender.

3. Be sure to sift the flour to make the dough as airy as possible, and add it in portions to the yolk mass. You will get a thick consistency interspersed with spices.

4. Send it to cool for a quarter of an hour in the refrigerator. then beat again.

5. Now you can do the cabbage. Remove it from the water, divide it into small pieces and rinse under running water in a metal mesh colander.

6. By this time the water should already be boiling in the second saucepan.

To remove the cabbage aroma, pour milk into boiling water and lightly add salt. Throw in the bay leaf and lower the colander with the contents into the whitish liquid for 3-4 minutes.

7. Take out the half-finished pieces and pour over them with ice water so that the cabbage reaches the desired condition. Then let the water drain and dry.

8. Now let's perform a trick that will not allow the batter to fall off. To make it easier to remove the remnants of our creative manipulations from the table later, wrap a large cutting board with a piece of cling film or a large transparent plastic bag.

Spread the inflorescences on top in an even single layer and sprinkle them with flour, which is sifted on top using a sieve.

The flour will create a protective film that will hold the batter in place while frying.

9. Now it’s time for the sufficiently cooled proteins.

Combine them with a pinch of salt and lemon juice. Beat into an airy, elastic white foam with steep peaks. Gently add in parts into the yolk flour dough and beat with a whisk.

It is this moment that gives a special zest to obtaining the most magnificent crispy batter!

10. Place a saucepan with deep-frying oil on the fire and start dipping the inflorescences into the dough.

It is better to do this in batches, so that it is convenient to roll them in the egg-flour mixture, and send them individually into boiling oil.

11. Carefully, so as not to burn yourself, use a fork to lower a small amount of prepared pieces one by one and fry them for a couple of minutes on each side.

12. You will get magnificent crumpets with cabbage inside, which you should first hold on a paper towel for a couple of minutes so that the excess oil is absorbed into it.

And only then have time to serve the delicious food to impatient eaters.

Can be served with ketchup, plum sauce, mayonnaise or any other sauce topping. Even if there is none of this, it will still be incredibly tasty!

How to cook fresh cauliflower

The process includes several stages:

1. The pan is filled with salted water (10 grams per liter).
2. Heads of cabbage are placed in boiling water, after which you need to wait until the water boils again.
3. Next, the intensity of the fire on the stove is reduced to low - thanks to this, the color of the product is preserved.
4. Cauliflower cooks quickly, so you need to constantly check it by piercing it with a knife.

Do not overcook otherwise. Before serving the finished dish, keep it in the broth for several minutes, but do not overcook it, otherwise it will turn yellow.

Other cooking methods:

1. In a steamer. The processed cabbage should be divided into individual inflorescences and placed in a steamer bowl. Steam for 20-25 minutes. This method preserves maximum nutrients.
2. In the microwave. The head of cabbage can be boiled whole or by first dividing it into inflorescences. In the first case, a saucepan covered with a lid is used, in the second, another dish of suitable size is used.

It is also possible to cook in the microwave using the stewing method. The head of cabbage is divided into heads, placed in a bowl, where milk is added at the rate of 3 tbsp. for 500 grams of cabbage. Cover the container with a lid and simmer for 3 minutes. Then spices are added to the dish, after which it needs to be cooked for another 10 minutes.

Oven baked cauliflower with egg and cheese

In the autumn season, you want to prepare an original dish from a magnificent vegetable - cabbage, but not ordinary cabbage, but cauliflower. I would also like it to be tasty. I want to share with you an interesting recipe, according to which the dish turns out very tasty and is not difficult to prepare. Just add a few simple products, and you will have not only tasty, but also healthy food on your table.

Ingredients

• Cauliflower - 1 round
• Cheese - 150 grams
• Eggs - 2 pcs.
• Sour cream – 250 grams
• Butter - for greasing the pan
• Italian herbs - 1 tsp.
• Nutmeg - on the tip of a knife
• Salt and ground pepper - to taste

To use time rationally, put a pan of water on the fire, and we ourselves will deal with the cabbage. Let's divide it into inflorescences and while we do this, the water will boil. You need to salt it and boil our cabbage in it for literally 3 minutes after boiling.

While the cabbage is cooking, grate the cheese on a fine grater and make an egg-sour cream filling.

Combine eggs, sour cream and all spices. Stir until smooth.

Add half of the grated cheese to the filling and mix, and leave half for sprinkling.

The cabbage is cooked, you need to put it in a colander and let the excess water drain.

Grease a baking dish with butter, lay out the cabbage and fill it with our filling. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

Place the mold in an oven preheated to 180 degrees for 30 minutes.

Baked cauliflower in cheese and egg filling is ready. It looks very beautiful, and can be eaten both hot and cold. It turned out crispy on the outside and very tender on the inside.

How to cook frozen cauliflower

If it is not possible to cook cabbage immediately after purchasing, it can be stored in the freezer. In this case, the cooking process will be slightly different:

1. Salt water is brought to a boil.
2. When the water boils, the frozen cabbage is placed in it.
3. After cooking, drain in a colander.
4. It is important not to defrost the vegetable before placing it in boiling water.

How to cook cauliflower for a child

Before preparing food for a child based on natural products, you need to process them as thoroughly as possible. Divide the head of cabbage into inflorescences, wash thoroughly, place in an enamel bowl and soak in salted water for half an hour. This will eliminate insects and chemicals that may remain inside. To make baby puree, use this recipe.

How to cook cauliflower for a child step by step:

1. Boil some water in an enamel saucepan and place the inflorescences inside so that the water covers them.
2. Once boiling, boil the cabbage for another 7-10 minutes.
3. Remove the florets with a slotted spoon; the broth can be used to create a puree.
4. Process the cabbage in a blender or grate it using a grater.

If the child is under one year old, there is no need to add salt. The resulting mass is mixed with the broth.

Cauliflower cutlets with oat flakes

As I already said, cauliflower is an amazing vegetable and you can cook a lot of things from it: soups, various salads, use it as a side dish, prepare winter snacks, and so on. Today we will make cutlets from it. Yes, yes, exactly cutlets. If you haven't tried these, be sure to cook them. I'm sure you and your friends will love them. Ordinary cutlets made from unusual ingredients will take their rightful place on your table.

Similar cauliflower cutlets can be prepared in two ways: in the oven and in a frying pan. If we fry, then we will need breadcrumbs and vegetable oil.

Ingredients

• Cauliflower – 500 grams
• Oat flakes - 100 grams
• Water (boiling water) - 100 ml.
• Onion - 1 pc.
• Flour - 2 tbsp. l.
• Salt, pepper and favorite seasonings - to taste
• Breadcrumbs
• Vegetable oil

First, let's pour boiling water over the oatmeal and leave it to swell for 30 minutes.

Boil cauliflower inflorescences in salted water for 5 minutes. Cabbage can be frozen, but then the cooking time needs to be increased to 10 minutes.

Place the cabbage in a colander and let the water drain.

Now you need to grind it in any convenient way: through a meat grinder, in a blender, finely chop it with a knife or crush it with a masher.

I used a blender and chopped the onion in it.

Here we also add the already swollen oatmeal, flour, salt, ground pepper and your favorite seasonings.

Mix thoroughly and let the minced meat stand for 10 minutes.

The time is up, now with hands moistened with water, we form cutlets, roll them in breadcrumbs and place them on a leaf. We do this with all the minced meat, and to prevent it from sticking to your hands, moisten your hands with water more often.

If you bake the cutlets in the oven, then you do not need to roll them in breadcrumbs. Just grease the leaf with vegetable oil and place all the cutlets. Bake at 180 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

I prefer fried cutlets, so pour a little vegetable oil into a frying pan, heat it up and lay out the cutlets. Fry on one side for 3 minutes and turn over.

Cover with a lid and simmer a little. You need to fry until golden brown on each side. I recommend trying both cooking options: in the oven and in a frying pan and only then determine the best one for yourself.

How long does it take to cook cauliflower in soup?

Due to its rich chemical composition and beneficial properties, this vegetable is widely used in cooking for preparing first and second courses, and baby food. However, not all housewives know how to prepare a delicious soup with cabbage inflorescences. There are many recipes for such a dish. How long to cook cauliflower in soup depends on the cooking method. As a rule, it is ready within 12-15 minutes after immersion in boiling broth.

Keto puree

Simply the perfect side dish for the keto diet. Add a few spoons of this puree to your favorite cutlet or chicken thigh and lunch is ready.

Let's take it:

• Medium size cabbage
• Salt, black pepper, you can sprinkle with nutmeg
• 50 grams of Hochland type curd cheese
• Butter for decoration

How to cook:

• Boil the florets until soft (about 15 minutes)
• Puree with an immersion blender
• Add a piece of butter per serving (5-10 grams)

With Chiken

Cauliflower goes well with other vegetables, sauces, and meat. You can prepare delicious and healthy dishes based on it.

Required ingredients:

• cauliflower – 0.5 kg;
• chicken fillet – 0.5 kg;
• spices - to taste.

Cooking technology:

1. Wash the fillet, cut into small pieces.
2. Place the chicken in the lower bowl of the steamer. Add salt, ground black pepper, herbs and other seasonings to taste.
3. Place the inflorescences in the upper bowl and add salt.
4. Cook ingredients covered for 25 minutes.
5. Divide vegetables and chicken into portions. Complete the dish with white sauce, garnish with herbs, and serve.

How to cook delicious cauliflower: tips and reviews

Inga. I cook the omelette faster. To do this, pour boiled inflorescences with eggs and grated cheese. The omelet turns out very tasty. And the cheese adds a touch of piquancy.

As for pureed soups, I don’t use a blender to prepare them. I just boil cabbage and other vegetables and grate them. I add herbs and cheese. Yes, I can’t perceive cauliflower without it. I cook it a little and serve it to the table.

Natalia. In the summer, I definitely make cauliflower salads once a week. Any ingredients can be added. The basic salad is prepared from boiled cabbage inflorescences, herbs and olive oil.

In creamy sauce

Cooking technology:

1. Peel the cauliflower, divide into florets, and rinse.
2. Cook in a double boiler for 20 minutes.
3. Whip 250 g of cream with salt and pepper. Add chopped onion, chopped herbs and seasonings to taste.
4. Place the finished cauliflower on a plate and pour over the creamy sauce. The original side dish is ready to serve.