Chinese Cauliflower Recipe: Spicy Stir-Fried Cauliflower!
Are you bored of eating bland vegetables? I want to put an end to this problem with a spicy cauliflower recipe. Chinese cauliflower made with garlic and Chinese chili paste is so fragrant and spicy that you will end up loving this vegetable.
Making this Chinese cauliflower recipe is also very easy. You just need to blanch the cauliflower and then stir-fry it with the spices. It takes a little time and only a few ingredients. Learn to make this spicy cauliflower that can be served as a side with various proteins. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Chinese Cauliflower Recipe Overview
You will find the necessary information about the recipe in the following chart. It will help you plan the time ahead.
| Course: Side dish | Cuisine: Chinese | Difficulty: Easy | ||
| Total Time: 15 minutes | ||||
| Serving | Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Calories | |
| 4 persons | 3 minutes | 12 minutes | 132 kcal | |
Ingredients Needed for the Recipe
This stir-fried cauliflower recipe can be made with just a few ingredients. I listed them below.
- Cauliflower: One head of Chinese cauliflower
- Garlic: 3 cloves, sliced
- Chili Paste: 1 tbsp of Chinese chili paste
- Oil: 1 tbsp
- Salt: ½ tsp
- Pepper: ½ tsp of white pepper powder, freshly ground
Chinese Cauliflower Recipe: Step-By-Step Instructions
Preparation is the most crucial step of this recipe. Let me guide you through the detailed steps.
You Can Also Try Chinese Pork Shoulder Recipe
Step 1: Cut and Clean the Cauliflower
Chinese cauliflowers have smaller florets but longer stems than regular cauliflower. You should cut each floret with about one or two inches of stem. Then, wash the cauliflower florets under running water so that there is no dirt in the crevices.
Step 2: Blanch the Cauliflower Florets
Boil water in a pot and put the cauliflower florets into the boiling water. Blanch them for about 5-7 minutes depending on how tender you want the cauliflower.
Step 3: Fry the Spices
Heat oil in a pan and put sliced garlic into the pan. Then, add 1 tbsp of Chinese chili paste to the pan. Fry the spices for a few minutes over low heat.
You Can Also Try Japanese Green Curry Recipe
Step 4: Add the Blanched Cauliflower
Once the spices are fragrant, add the blanched cauliflower to the pan. Stir-fry the ingredients for about 3-5 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender. Finally, sprinkle some salt and white pepper powder to season the dish.
You can finish the dish with some chopped green onions or parsley, but it is optional.
Nutrition Facts of the Recipe
Cauliflower is a highly nutritious vegetable that can meet your needs for daily essentials. The whole recipe contains 132 calories. You will also get the following nutrients.
- Total Carbohydrates: 24g
- Protein: 11g
- Total Fat: 2.6g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.2g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Total Dietary Fiber: 13g
- Total Sugar: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 86mg
- Potassium: 816.5mg
- Calcium: 92mg
- Iron: 1.8mg
- Vitamin A: 85IU
- Vitamin C: 37mg
Do’s and Don’ts of the Recipe
Though this recipe is very simple, you can make it more easily by following the tips below.
Do’s
- Put some salt into the water before blanching the cauliflower. It will make the cauliflower more tender.
- Stir-fry the cauliflower over medium heat if you want the center to be tender. Otherwise, the center can still be a bit hard.
Don’ts
- Don’t blanch the cauliflower for too long. Otherwise, the florets will break down when you stir-fry them.
- Don’t put a lot of salt at the end because you have blanched the cauliflower in salty water. Otherwise, the dish will become too salty.
- Don’t fry the chili paste over high heat for a long time. It will burn easily and make the taste bitter.
Chinese Cauliflower Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Chinese cauliflowers have smaller florets but longer stems than regular cauliflower. You should cut each floret with about one or two inches of stem. Then, wash the cauliflower florets under running water so that there is no dirt in the crevices.
- Boil water in a pot and put the cauliflower florets into the boiling water. Blanch them for about 5-7 minutes depending on how tender you want the cauliflower.
- Heat oil in a pan and put sliced garlic into the pan. Then, add 1 tbsp of Chinese chili paste to the pan. Fry the spices for a few minutes over low heat.
- Once the spices are fragrant, add the blanched cauliflower to the pan. Stir-fry the ingredients for about 3-5 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender. Finally, sprinkle some salt and white pepper powder to season the dish.
- You can finish the dish with some chopped green onions or parsley, but it is optional.
FAQs
You should also know the answers to some questions most people ask about this recipe.
Is Chinese chili paste a must for this recipe?
Not necessarily. You can use any other chili paste or even crushed chilies to make this cauliflower recipe. Chinese chili paste has a distinct aroma that makes the dish more delicious.
What can I serve with this Chinese cauliflower?
You can serve any of your favorite proteins, such as pork, beef, poultry, etc. with this stir-fried cauliflower. White rice also goes well with this recipe.
Do I need to use any sauce in this recipe?
No, you don’t need to use any sauce in this recipe. If you want, you can add a splash of soy sauce or oyster sauce. But I don’t recommend that as the sauce will alter the original taste of this recipe.
Can I store this cauliflower recipe?
Yes. You can store the leftover cauliflower in the refrigerator for a few days and reheat it when necessary. However, freshly made Chinese cauliflower tastes the best.
Conclusion
Chinese cauliflower looks a bit less dense than regular cauliflower, but it is full of essential nutrients. If made properly, this cauliflower will turn into a delicious side dish that can be served with many main dishes. You just need the right recipe for that.
This Chinese cauliflower recipe is perfect for your busy days when you want to make delicious side dishes in less time. If you are feeding your kids, mind the amount of chili paste you use in this recipe.
