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Tired Of Steak? Goodbye Beef Steaks Try Something New, Oven Baked Cauliflower Steaks. You Won’t Be Disappointed By Your Roasted Marinated Vegetarian Meal

Spice House & Gmarket Chef Collaboration

Cauliflower Steak - Recipe Baked Instead Of Roasted Or Grilled

Vegan Cauliflower Steak
About This Dish: Simplicity In Cooking

As a personal chef in Chicago, I spend a lot of time in homes and kitchens that are brand new to me. This means anything is possible. I have always found keeping things simple and using the best ingredients possible yields the best results in unfamiliar territory. Simplicity does not mean basic – simplicity means balance. Specifically, I am talking about salt, fat, acid, texture, and temperature components. So, we are going to learn how to make oven baked, roasted marinated cauliflower steaks. 

What Is Cauliflower Steak?

Cauliflower steak has been making waves in the food world, with its unique take on meat-free dining. It’s essentially a thick slice of Cauliflower that’s been cooked and seasoned to perfection, making it a hearty and flavorful alternative to traditional steak. This dish is perfect for vegetarians or anyone looking for a tasty and healthy meal. Whether you’re trying to reduce your meat intake or love trying new and delicious dishes, cauliflower steak is definitely worth trying. So, fire up your stovetop and give it a try – you won’t be disappointed!

Best Cauliflower Steaks Recipe

To create a cauliflower steak meal you would find in an upscale restaurant using only 5 ingredients or less for each recipe. I partnered with The Spice House in Chicago which has a huge selection of herbs, spices, blends, and salts. I chose 4 spices that work well with each other and incorporate 1 in each dish. Today I’ll show you how to make an incredible vegan cauliflower steak in the oven, So since you are thinking of eating a steak vegetarian dish, you will love the final meal brimming with flavor! 

Let’s Get Started!
What Is Needed To Learn How To Make Cauliflower Steaks In The Oven?

1 Head Cauliflower
Kosher Sal TT
1 T Spice House Hungarian Paprika

Trim the Cauliflower and cut off both edges being careful not to cut off too much. Then cut the Cauliflower down the center so that there are two equal pieces of steak. On a small sheet tray with a rack drizzle the olive oil on both sides spreading evenly. Season with salt and paprika. 

How Long To Cook Cauliflower Steaks In Oven At 350 Degrees?

Marinate for 1 hour. I marinated this in a vacuum seal bag for 1 hour, but a zip-lock or food saver works just as well. Heat olive oil on high and sear on both sides in a large pan for 7-10 minutes. Suppose the Cauliflower needs more time to cook and toss the pan in the oven at 350 for 10-15 minutes.

Why Do You Put Olive Oil Only On One Side Of A Cauliflower Steak?

Cauliflower steaks have been a hot trend over the past few years for a reason – they’re delicious and incredibly versatile. One common preparation method for a cauliflower steak is to coat it in olive oil and seasonings before roasting or grilling. But have you noticed that most recipes only call for olive oil to be applied to one side of the steak? This may seem odd, but it actually serves an important purpose. By only coating one side of the cauliflower steak in oil, you allow the other side to caramelize and develop a delicious, crispy crust. It’s all about balance, and this small step can make a big difference in your cauliflower steak’s overall flavor and texture.

For The Cauliflower Puree Steak Sauce

1 Head Cauliflower
1 Cup Olive Oil
1 T Spice House Vadouvan Curry
1 T Salt

Cauliflower Puree

½ Cup Olive Oil
1 T Salt
1/2 -1 Cup Water

Cut the florets from the Cauliflower and place in a large bowl. The next step for this cauliflower steak recipe is adding olive oil, curry, and salt and mixing until everything is well incorporated. On a small sheet tray with a rack line up the florets and bake at 400 F for 45 minutes or until tender. Place in a blender and add the olive oil, salt and water until it becomes smooth. Be careful not to add too much water. The cauliflower puree should be the same consistency as vanilla pudding.

For The Pickled Shallots

1 Shallot (you can use up to 4)
¼ Cup Vinegar
3 T Sugar
1 T Salt
2 T Spice House Pickling Spice

Slice the pickled shallots lengthwise and reserve. Mix the remaining ingredients in a small bowl and add the pickled shallots. Cover and let sit for 1 hour in a cool environment.

For The Rice

2 Cups Wild Rice
¼ C Olive Oil
2 T Spice House Ancho Chile Powder
3 T Salt
3.5 Cups Water

Before the upcoming baked cauliflower steaks are put in the oven, mix all ingredients together in the rice cooker and set the time. Our time was 50 minutes. However, follow the instructions on your device. You can also follow the instructions for rice on any package you buy and it will come out spectacular.

For The Plating

As you learn how to cook Cauliflower like a steak, I always like to place sauce on the bottom and a drop of quenelle for dipping. You can plate the rice using a circle mold or any small Tupperware you have available. Now, how to cut a Cauliflower steak: I cut the Cauliflower in half for the plated portion. Then I garnish with the pickled shallots and some green onion for freshness and bite.

The balance in this dish comes from the act of the cauliflower steak seasoning and treating each ingredient appropriately and separately. Curry is the main flavor here in this cauliflower steak sauce recipe. So we have a very silky fatty sauce to compliment a meaty piece of Cauliflower seared and crispy on the outside with an added sweetness from the paprika. The wild rice has some heat but adds a textural component that sustains the rest of the dish. We add the pickled shallots because we need something acidic to cut through all of the salt and fat but also to pull out the flavors in the curry, chile, and paprika. Lastly, we accentuate the shallots with sliced green onion to add a bite of freshness. 

Enjoy!

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