Naked Cauliflower Wings
You might wonder why I called these guys naked. In fact, they look very well dressed, don’t they? Well, when I was thinking about a suitable name for these deliciously seasoned florets, words like Buffalo, BBQ, and hot wings crossed my mind, but none of them was really a match. My “wings” don’t have too much in common with the Buffalo/NY recipe, I didn’t use BBQ sauce either, and the hotness in my recipe can be very well adjusted without sacrificing the taste. I also omitted covering them in a thick blanket of batter before they went into the oven, … and there it was – compared to their heavily coated cousins they were naked, stripped of anything but their wonderful, savory flavor!
Ingredients:
- 1 large head cauliflower
- 2 Tbsp paprika (smoked paprika works well too/just don’t use hot)
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 6 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Celtic sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (more or less depending on your taste buds)
- chopped parsley
Preparation:
Position baking rack in the middle of the oven, and set to high broil.
Wash cauliflower, pat dry, remove large stem, then cut or tear into florets.
In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients, except for the parsley. Add cauliflower florets, and toss until well coated. You can use a spoon to help the process.
Transfer the cauliflower to a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer and scrape the remaining sauce, if any, on top. Broil for 10 minutes, then take the sheet out of the oven, flip the cauliflower, and broil for another 10-15 minutes. Set a timer and keep a close eye on the “wings”. You don’t want them to burn. You should be able to insert a knife without too much resistance, but they should still have a bite. Top off with lots of parsley and enjoy!
Notes:
- Cauliflower wings are a healthy, scrumptious snack. Perfect just by themselves or offered with raw veggies and dips.
- The perfect way to feed your kids a healthy snack. Just make them less spicy!
- These guys are also a delicious, satisfying side dish or starter. They go well with lentil patties, roasted potatoes (actually roasted anything), and of course all kinds of salads.
