Fall Fest: 5 Reasons to Make Cauliflower Immediately

By: Caitlin Heikkila

Always leftover on the crudité platter, cauliflower suffers a reputation as the vegetable kingdom's bland, lifeless throwaway. But the cruciferous underdog is flexing its florets with its versatility and pleasant crispness. These five recipes are proof that cauliflower is more than broccoli’s pale cousin.

1. Adding cauliflower to classic mac 'n' cheese not only adds an earthy touch to the comfort food classic, it also lightens the recipe a bit. Try the three-cheese blend of Rachael’s version (pictured above).

2. Strong enough to hold up to any amount of spice, this cauliflower “popcorn” roasts with thyme, garlic and cayenne for a crunchy snack that has none of the guilt of the usual box-office alternatives.

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

3. You can't really go wrong with a thick triangle of fried dough. These spicy samosas are packed with cauliflower and potatoes for a unique Indian-inspired appetizer.

Cooking Channel 
Nadia G Creamy Cauliflower Soup Aged Cheddar Pancetta Sauteed Leeks
Seasonl Soups to Start

Cooking Channel Nadia G Creamy Cauliflower Soup Aged Cheddar Pancetta Sauteed Leeks Seasonl Soups to Start

Photo by: Armando Rafael Moutela ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved. 2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Armando Rafael Moutela, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved. 2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

4. Cauliflower tastes just as good when it’s soup-ified. Try  Nadia G’s five-star creamy cauliflower soup, topped with crisp, salty pancetta and sautéed leeks.

Jason Wrobel's Buffalo-Style Cauliflower with Cashew-Dill Dipping Sauce for Cooking Channel's How to Live to 100

Jason Wrobel's Buffalo-Style Cauliflower with Cashew-Dill Dipping Sauce for Cooking Channel's How to Live to 100

Photo by: Alice Gao ©2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Alice Gao, 2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

5. Vegetarian Buffalo wings are no longer an oxymoron, at least not when the dish is  Buffalo-style cauliflower. Serve it with cashew-dill dipping sauce to offset any heat.

More Cauliflower Recipes from Family + Friends:

Jeanette's Healthy Living: Hash Brown Cauliflower and Potatoes

The Cultural Dish: Cauliflower and Leek Soup
Dishing with Divya: Gobi Manchurian
Dishin & Dishes: Curried Cauliflower Chowder
Weelicious: Vegetarian Tagine

Elephants and the Coconut Trees: Cauliflower Breadsticks

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