Cauliflower seems to have enjoyed a revival in recent years. Anyone who has scrolled through Pinterest for more than a few minutes had probably seen how it can be substituted for numerous different things, including rice and potatoes. I've even seen a recipe for cauliflower "wings" - dupes for spicy chicken wings using Frank's Hot Sauce. Unfortunately myself and the hot sauce didn't get along (not to my taste at all) so I won't be trying that one - but I was dying to try a proper Cauliflower pizza base.
I've tried this a few times before, and it has never turned out right. This time I used Lauren Goslin's method, and adapted the recipe to suit my measuring system. This base has no dairy or gluten (toppings excluded).
Lauren's original recipe and instructions can be found here: Oatmeal With a Fork
This is my adaptation. I made it
For the pizza base, you'll need:
Equipment: A grater, baking paper, shallow baking tin or dish, chopping board, grater, bowl (microwave suitable), sharp knife, clean towel, scales or scoop, whisk.
Ingredients: 230g fresh cauliflower florets (1 standard fresh cauliflower is more than enough), 1 medium egg, pinch of sea salt, pinch of garlic powder, pinch of oregano, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 45ml water. Toppings of your choice.
Make cauliflower "rice" by grating the raw florets into a bowl.
Add the water to the bowl, microwave on full power for 1 minute. Remove WITH CARE, the bowl will be extremely hot. Set aside to cool.
Preheat the oven to 400f/200c/Gas 6.
When cool, empty the "rice" out onto a clean tea towel and wring all the water out.
In a clean bowl (I just rinsed the same one) whisk together the egg, olive oil, garlic powder, oregano and salt.
Add the cauliflower to the egg mixture and mix everything thoroughly.
Take your baking paper or greaseproof paper and your tin, turn your tin upside down, draw around it, and cut the circle of paper to match the size of the tin.
Lightly grease the tin and smooth the paper on top.
Spoon your cauliflower mix in and smooth it out evenly. You can use your spoon to create a raised edge to act as a crust, just push the mixture gently from the middle out towards the edges.
Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 30-40 mins or until golden.
Add the topping of your choice - I used passata, some grated low fat cheese, and some chorizo. Increase the oven temperature to 450f/230c/Gas 8 and bake for 6-7 minutes or until topping is cooked.
Leave to cool slightly, then peel the paper off and plate it up!
The question I get the most when I mention this is "does it taste like cauliflower" - Well, look - it IS cauliflower, so yeah, it does. But it's not overpowering and it tends to take on the stronger flavours (like chorizo here, or onion).
Please let me know if you try it!
I was reading about this before, I'll have to give it a try this weekend, it looks amazing! x
ReplyDeleteThe first time I made it it was just awful, but this was so nice!! x
DeleteOh my god that looks frickin delicious.
ReplyDeleteIt was, every last bit of it! Deffo making another one.
DeleteThis looks amazing but what did it taste like? I have a fear of cauliflower since my mum used to mash into mashed potato and lie to me that it was there!! Have only recently started eating mashed potato again, almost 30 years later!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely didn't taste like cauliflower, anyway! The texture was slightly crispy on the very edges, but it was more kinda foamy? It was sturdy enough to pick up a slice at a time, mine tasted pretty much like cheese and chorizo - I think if you put a strong topping on it, you definitely wouldn't taste any veg taste. Maybe onions? x
Deleteoh holy moly, this looks freaking awesome!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt was delicious :)x
DeleteThis is like a freaking revelation to me!! Im improving my lifestyle whilst trying to loose weight. I am for sure giving this ago! Thanks so much! xx
ReplyDeleteExcellent, fair play to you Jade! I hope you enjoy it x
DeleteIt turned out wonderful! I've made this twice before and I really liked it. :)
ReplyDeleteSandra - The Puzzle of Sandra's Life
It sounds such an odd idea, doesn't it? But definitely one I'm going to surprise people with in the future :)
DeleteLove cauliflower bases! Have a post on it scheduled next week! This looks amazing .. Can I link you into mine? x
ReplyDeletePish, as if you have to ask! I'd be honoured xx
Deletei love cauliflower pizza. great recipe
ReplyDeleteGrating! I feel like a dope - I've been waiting to get my hand on a food blender to make this. Never even thought of just bashing at it with the grater.
ReplyDeleteI made similar for my fast-food loving fella and he suffered through it, but I don't think it went down well. My base was flax and oats, so I'll try this instead - might be more moist.
Just seen this on the skinny doll website, looks delish, was it filing?
ReplyDeleteIt was, it felt like a proper meal too! I'd say half of it would do with a salad or oven chips or a baked potato but it definitely filled me. Which is no mean feat ;-)
DeleteThe pizza looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJesus this looks unreal Sharon. I wish I could cook cx
ReplyDelete