I like cooking with cauliflower year around. I know I can always find it in the produce section of my supermarket and with its mild flavor, it lends itself to all sorts of different dishes. I’ll share a few of my favorites with you here. I hope you and your family will enjoy them as much as mine does.

Boiling and Steaming Cauliflower

The easiest way to cook this member of the cabbage family is to boil it. Cut the cauliflower tops into bitesize pieces. Wash them and then carefully drop them into boiling water or broth. Boil them until they have softened to your liking. This could take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the size of your pieces and how soft you like your cauliflower.

You can also steam your cauliflower in the microwave. Prepare as above, but instead of boiling, put the flowerets in a microwave safe bowl along with some water. Put a lid on the bowl and microwave until tender.

Cauliflower as a Side Dish

Cauliflower makes a wonderful side dish in just about any meal. You can simply steam it and serve it with a little butter and freshly ground nutmeg. Cheese sauces are another popular topping. My favorite though is this simple baked cauliflower dish. I takes only 20 minutes in the oven, but the end result is absolutely delicious.

Another option is to make mashed cauliflower. It’s a great healthy alternative to mashed potatoes. Boil your cauliflower pieces until they are very tender. Discard the cooking water and add some milk, a pad of butter or margarine (optional) and salt and pepper to taste. Use a potato masher, hand mixer or imersion blender to blend everything until smooth. Serve like you would mashed potatoes.

Cauliflower Soup Recipes

I also like to put cauliflower in various vegetable soups. It’s so mild it can go in just about any soup. Try it the next time you make a big batch of beef and veggie soup or add it to your favorite potato soup recipe. Cream of cauliflower soup is another option, but by far my favorite is this simple cauliflower carrot soup recipe. Give it a try, I think you’re going to like it. 

Let’s Have Salad

Last but not least, don’t forget to add cauliflower to your salads. You can add both raw and cooked cauliflower to your favorite mixed salads. If you prefer cooked, I recommend you only boil it in salt water for a few minutes to get it barely tender.

If you like your cauliflower raw, try this delicious broccoli and cauliflower salad. It’s great as a special side dish for sunday dinners and also perfect for cookouts and potlucks.  

Cauliflower is a yummy and versatile vegetable. Even if you are not a big fan (yet), I recommend you give some of these recipes a try. You might just find a new favorite.