Boiled cauliflower is a simple and quick recipe for a light side dish. The choice between hot or cold water depends on the cooking method, as does the cooking time.
To boil cauliflower, start with cold water if steaming, or with hot water if immersing directly in water.
The cooking time for cauliflower varies based on the chosen method. Generally, the pressure cooker reduces the time, while steaming and boiling require more time.
SEASONALITY of #cauliflower from October to mid-March, of Romanesco or Romanesco #broccoli – from October to April.
RECIPES with cauliflowers
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Cheap
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 2People
- Cooking methods: Steaming, Stove, Pressure Cooker
- Cuisine: Healthy
- Seasonality: Fall, Winter
- Energy 50.00 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 9.94 (g) of which sugars 3.82 (g)
- Proteins 3.84 (g)
- Fat 0.56 (g) of which saturated 0.26 (g)of which unsaturated 0.13 (g)
- Fibers 4.00 (g)
- Sodium 60.02 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 175 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Boiled Cauliflower
- 14.11 oz cauliflower (in florets)
- 1 cup water (for steaming – about 8 cups for boiling)
Tools
- Pressure Cooker
- Pot
- Pot for steaming
Boiled Cauliflower
PREPARATION: cut the cauliflower florets, keep the inner tender leaves, then wash everything.
Cooking times may vary slightly, depending on the size of the florets and the desired level of doneness.
COOKING in pressure cooker
– use the basket for steaming
– start with cold water
– the cauliflower florets cook in about 5 minutes from the classic whistle of the pressure cooker. If you let the pressure cooker release on its own, it will take only 3 minutes.
COOKING in Instant Pot
– use a basket for steaming
– start with cold water
– the cauliflower florets cook in about 3 minutes.
COOK in pan
– use enough water to cover all the cauliflower well
– pour the florets into boiling and salted water
– the cauliflower florets cook in 10-15 minutes, check the doneness by piercing them with the tines of a fork.
COOK by steaming
– start with cold water
– the cauliflower florets cook in 12-15 minutes, check the doneness by piercing the florets with a fork.
How to season boiled cauliflower?
🍀 Balsamic vinegar and honey (syrup for vegans): combine balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper for a sweet and sour dressing.
🍀 Garlic and parsley: chop garlic and parsley, mix with oil, and add to the cauliflower.
🍀 Butter (soy butter for vegans) and parmesan (nutritional yeast flakes for vegans): melt butter, mix it with grated parmesan, and season the cauliflower.
🍀 Curry and yogurt (soy yogurt for vegans): mix yogurt with a sprinkle of curry for a spicy dressing.
🍀 Mayonnaise and mustard: combine mayonnaise with a bit of mustard for a creamy dressing.
🍀 Walnuts and raisins: add chopped walnuts and raisins for a sweet-salty contrast.
🍀 Olive oil and lemon: season with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
🍀 Pesto: add a tablespoon of pesto (basil, rosemary, or other herbs) for an aromatic touch.
🍀 Cherry tomatoes and olives: season with halved cherry tomatoes, black olives, and a drizzle of oil.
🍀 Soy sauce and sesame: season with soy sauce, sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds for an Asian flavor.
🍀 Tahini sauce: add tahini sauce (sesame cream), lemon juice, and garlic for a Middle Eastern touch.
🍀 Yogurt (soy yogurt for vegans) and herbs: mix natural yogurt with aromatic herbs like mint or thyme for a fresh version.🍀 Gorgonzola: crumble blue cheese over the cauliflower, add a drizzle of oil
🍀 Ricotta and lemon: mix ricotta with lemon juice, salt, and pepper for a creamy and fresh dressing.To prepare pan-sautéed boiled cauliflower, it is better to boil it al dente to maintain its texture. Then, after boiling, heat some oil in a pan with a minced garlic clove and add the cauliflower, sauté for a few minutes. Season with salt and preferred aromatic herbs, serve hot.
STORING boiled cauliflower
To store boiled cauliflower, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you want to freeze it, store it in bags or containers for up to 3 months.
What to do with leftover boiled cauliflower?
Leftover boiled cauliflower can be reused in various ways. You can:
🍀 blend it to make a cream or puree, adding butter or oil
🍀 sauté it in a pan with garlic, oil, and spices for a tasty side dish
🍀 add it to soups or stews to enrich the dish
🍀 use it in frittatas or omelets, mixing it with eggs and cheese
🍀 incorporate it into croquettes or patties, breading and frying it
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
How to boil cauliflower without smell?
Some techniques to eliminate the smell of cauliflower
🍀 Add vinegar or lemon juice to the water: put a tablespoon of vinegar or a few drops of lemon juice in the cooking water to neutralize the odor.
🍀 Cook with a bay leaf: add a bay leaf to the cooking water to mask the odor.
🍀 Steam it: steam the cauliflower instead of boiling it, as this method reduces the intensity of the odor.
🍀 Add a potato to the cooking water: add a whole potato, which absorbs some of the odors during cooking.
🍀 Add milk: pour a scant glass of milk into the same pot in which you cook the cauliflower to absorb its unpleasant odor.
🍀 Vinegar: add a bit of vinegar to a small cup and place it on the lid of the pot in correspondence with the steam outlet to eliminate the odor.
🍀 Wash well before cooking: wash the cauliflower thoroughly under running water to remove any impurities that could intensify the odor.
🍀 Drain immediately: after cooking, drain the cauliflower as soon as it’s ready and serve it to prevent the odor from developing further.
🍀 After cooking: ventilate the house well and boil half a lemon and a cinnamon stick.
