Skillet cauliflower without pre-boiling is a quick and light recipe, perfect for those looking for a simple yet tasty side dish. Cooking it directly in the pan keeps it compact and slightly gratinated, with a pleasantly crunchy texture. It can be flavored by adding it to a sauté of onion and completed with a bit of breadcrumbs to make it more golden, and a sprinkle of cheese (nutritional yeast for vegans) for a tastier touch, as Grandma Benedetta loves.
SEASONALITY of #cauliflower: from October to mid-March. There are also spring varieties.
Other vegan and gluten-free recipes with cauliflower:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 2 People
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Healthy
- Seasonality: Fall, Winter
Skillet Cauliflower
- 14 oz cauliflower (already cleaned)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (or seed oil)
- to taste salt (and aromatic herbs to taste)
- Half onion (chopped, initial sauté with oil)
- Half clove garlic (and chili pepper – at the beginning with oil to flavor the cauliflower)
- to taste spices (midway through cooking, so they release color and flavor)
- 1 tablespoon breadcrumbs (gluten-free for celiacs – in the last 3-5 minutes to achieve a golden and crispy crust)
- 1 tablespoon cheese (grated or nutritional yeast – to sprinkle at the end of cooking)
- to taste parsley (at the end of cooking to maintain freshness, color, and flavor)
Tools
- Cutting Board
- Knife smooth blade
- Pan wok type
Skillet Cauliflower
Can I use raw cauliflower or do I need to pre-boil it?
You can use it raw without issues: cooking it directly in the pan makes it tastier, maintains a pleasant texture, and avoids the typical boiling odor.
How to cut cauliflower for cooking in a pan?
Separate the cauliflower into florets, then wash it, keeping even the most tender leaves. Peel the stems and slice them thinly. Further divide the florets and cook everything along with the torn leaves.
How long does it take to cook cauliflower in a pan?
It takes about 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces. Covering the pan during cooking helps to soften it without the need for water.
How to prevent it from becoming too soft?
Cook it over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, and leave it uncovered for a few minutes at the end to evaporate excess moisture.How to make it crispier?
Add a bit of breadcrumbs in the last minutes of cooking: it will toast slightly, creating a delicious golden and crispy crust.
How to best flavor it?
Start with a sauté of onion, garlic, and chili pepper, then add spices or aromatic herbs such as turmeric, paprika, or rosemary during cooking, while parsley is perfect to add at the end. Furthermore, a touch of grated cheese, or nutritional yeast for vegans, will make the cauliflower even tastier and more fragrant.
STORING skillet cauliflower
It keeps well in the refrigerator for a couple of days in an airtight container. When serving, just reheat it in the pan for a few minutes to make it fragrant again.
Skillet cauliflower can be frozen, but it’s not recommended: after defrosting it becomes mushy and loses its crispness.
Can it be prepared in advance for a quick meal?
It can be cut and cooked for a few minutes to flavor in advance, then finish cooking in the pan when serving to keep it crispy and fragrant.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Why don’t you get strong odors when cooking cauliflower directly in the pan?
When cauliflower is cooked in a pan without boiling, it doesn’t come into direct contact with boiling water, which is the main cause of the typical strong odor. Dry cooking, perhaps with a drizzle of oil or a sauté of onion, limits the formation of sulfur compounds that are released with boiling. The result is a more fragrant cauliflower, with a delicate taste and no bad odors in the kitchen.
Can cauliflower be cooked in a pan without oil?
Yes, it is possible, using just a splash of water or broth to steam it directly in the pan, still achieving a soft and light result.
What pairings work best?
It pairs well with breadcrumbs, cheese, or nutritional yeast, and also with other pan-cooked vegetables like carrots, pumpkin, zucchini, or peppers, for a colorful and tasty side dish.
Or add chickpeas, beans, or cubed tofu already cooked in the last minutes of cooking to turn it into a unique and complete dish.Can frozen cauliflower be used?
Yes, but it is advisable to thaw it first and dry it well, otherwise it will release too much water and won’t brown like fresh cauliflower.
What are the benefits of skillet cauliflower?
It is a light dish, rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, easy to digest and low in calories. Cooking it without boiling retains more nutrients and allows you to enjoy a healthy and tasty side dish in just a few minutes.
Are there any contraindications to eating skillet cauliflower?
Cauliflower can cause bloating or flatulence in sensitive people, especially if consumed in large quantities. Those with digestive issues should moderate their consumption and, if necessary, cook it with digestive spices like cumin or fennel.
Is it suitable for all types of diets?
Yes, it is perfect for light, vegetarian, and vegan diets. Adding nutritional yeast or breadcrumbs can make it tastier without sacrificing lightness.
