Why is my roasted cauliflower tough?

Undercooking It . Overcooking is bad, but undercooking cauliflower is an equally off-putting problem. "When making cauliflower steaks or roasting florets, if you don't roast it in the oven long enough it will be warm but still hard and unenjoyable to eat," says Michalczyk.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking?

This process – which should last 10-20 minutes - destroys several microbes and large parasites . As cauliflower is highly susceptible to microbial attacks, it should be washed once again. This time, boil some water and put the cauliflower florets in it. Keep for five minutes and remove from the hot water.

What happens when you add lemon juice to water when cooking cauliflower?

Helps retain color : Cauliflower can sometimes turn brown or lose its vibrant white color when cooked. However, the acid in lemon juice can help prevent discoloration and maintain the cauliflower's white appearance.

Why do you put lemon juice in cauliflower?

Cauliflower contains some phytonutrients, these nutrients may react with iron cookware and gives the cauliflower a brownish color. To prevent this add some lemon juice to the cauliflower or to the water in which it is blanched.

What is the best way to cut cauliflower steaks?

How to Cut Cauliflower into Steaks. Thick, roasted cauliflower steaks make for pretty presentation for a vegetarian dinner option. With the stem facing upward, slice off the sides with your knife and save them for another use. Leaving the core intact, cut 1-inch-thick slices from the center of the vegetable.

Why is my cauliflower separating?

Once the "curds" begin to separate, the head is over mature . I'm fairly certain that although you think the weather has been mild, your cauliflower was ready to bolt - triggered either by the longer days of early summer or the heat. You may find that fall grown plants outperform spring plants in your location.

Why are my cauliflower heads splitting?

Why does this happen? The reason for this happening is simply down to growing conditions – the plant is stressed, probably from the hot, dry summer conditions that we had . The somewhat cold start to spring won't have helped either.

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks (Easy Recipe)

Published: Nov 18, 2020 · Modified: Dec 3, 2020 by Lexi

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These flavorful oven roasted cauliflower steaks make for a delicious vegan/vegetarian main dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas or any other entertaining occasion!

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Not sure about you, but every time the holidays roll around, we spend way too many hours scouring the web for main dishes that can be made vegan.

More often than not, I'd rather skip past the complicated ones (mushroom wellington; although it does sound amazing!) in favor of something a bit quicker. I'm more of a side dish person myself, but still gotta have a hearty, flavorful main!

That's where these vegan roasted cauliflower steaks come in. They're easy to prepare, mostly hands off, and a perfect meaty substitute for your regular holiday entrée. Serve alongside your favorite classic holiday side dishes, like mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans & more!

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For extra comfort, serve these cauliflower steaks with mushroom gravy for a vegan take on salisbury steak.

How to cut cauliflower steaks

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Start by trimming any outer leaves. You can leave the stem intact – this helps keep the cauliflower steak together.

Slice directly through the middle of the cauliflower head. Carefully cut 1 ½ inch thick slices. You should be able to get 2-3 large steaks out of each head of cauliflower.

Tips

Choose the largest possible head of cauliflower you can find at the store. This will allow you to get 3 sturdy steaks out of each head of cauliflower.
Don't slice the steaks too thinly – 1-1 ½ inches thick is best. The thinner the steak, the less sturdy it will be, and the more breakage. It's not a huge disaster if some of the steak is detached, but it's certainly easier to serve when fully intact.
Use a large chef's knife (8" or larger) to prep the cauliflower. A larger knife helps keep the cauliflower intact.

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Marinade Ingredients

Olive oil (can also use melted vegan butter)
Lemon juice and zest: freshly squeezed is ALWAYS best! Most of the flavor comes from the zest, so don't leave it out.
Garlic: we use fresh minced garlic, but you can also sub with 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
Poultry seasoning: this is a key ingredient to make it taste a bit more "meaty".
Onion powder
Salt and pepper
Fresh herbs: we used parsley and thyme. You can also use oregano, tarragon, chives, or any other herbs you enjoy.

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Instructions

Prep the "steaks": Trim your cauliflower and slice into 1" steaks. Remember that you'll likely only get 2 steaks (3 at most) out of each head of cauliflower, so plan accordingly!

Make the marinade: Simply whisk everything but the fresh herbs together. Brush each side of each steak liberally and sprinkle with herbs.

Cover and roast: Cover the "steaks" with aluminum foil on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes. This allows the cauliflower to get tender without cooking the exterior too quickly.

Baste: After 10 minutes, remove the foil, brush top with more oil and return to oven (without foil) for 8 minutes. Flip each steak, brush with remaining marinade and roast for 8-10 more minutes, until the cauliflower is fork tender and crispy on the exterior.

Serve: Serve hot topped with more fresh herbs, gravy, mashed potatoes, and whatever other side dishes your heart desires!

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Serving suggestions

Serve alongside comforting holiday classics, like:

Best Vegan Mashed Potatoes with Mushroom Gravy
Gluten Free and Vegan Stuffing
Hasselback Butternut Squash with Maple Herb Glaze
Roasted Beet Kale Salad
Crispy Maple Mustard Brussels Sprouts

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More flavorful vegan main dishes you'll love:

Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash
Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Spinach, Mushroom and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Vegan Butternut Squash Lasagna

If you make these roasted cauliflower steaks, we’d love for you to leave a comment and rating below! We also love to see your creations onInstagram– tag us at @crowded_kitchen so we can see what you’ve been cooking.