IF SOMEONE WAS TO ASK ME WHAT MY DESERT ISLAND MEAL WOULD BE IT WOULD HAVE TO BE A BOWL OF SPAGHETTI, BUT NOT TOO FAR BEHIND IS A DOZEN HOT BUFFALO WINGS. THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THOSE CRISPY BITES COATED IN A VINEGARY, SPICY SAUCE THAT MAKE MY MOUTH WATER. AND WHILE THEY ARE OFTEN SERVED PIPING HOT OUT OF THE DEEP FRYER, SOMETIMES I CRAVE THOSE SAME FLAVORS WITHOUT THE CALORIES.
CAULIFLOWER IS POPPING UP ON MENUS ALL OVER, SOMETIMES AS “RICE” AND EVEN PIZZA CRUSTS. BUT TURNING THEM INTO “WINGS” IS MUCH EASIER THAN YOU THINK. ALL YOU NEED IS A LITTLE SEASONING, BUFFALO SAUCE AND THE SECRET INGREDIENT….CORN STARCH! CORN STARCH IS OFTEN USED TO THICKEN SAUCES, BUT IN THIS CASE, IT ACTS AS A COATING TO GIVE THE CAULIFLOWER A CRISPIER TEXTURE. BUT WHY DOES THIS WORK? CORNSTARCH ACTUALLY HAS MORE AMYLOSE, A STARCH MOLECULE, THAN WHEAT OR POTATO STARCH. THIS HIGHER STARCH CONTENT ALLOWS CORN STARCH TO ACHIEVE A MORE CRISPY, CRUNCHY TEXTURE THAN THE TYPICAL FLOUR (WHEAT STARCH). BUT ENOUGH WITH THE SCIENCE CLASS, LET’S GET TO COOKING!
BAKED BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER BITES WITH SHORTCUT YOGURT RANCH DIP
INGREDIENTS:
1 Head of Cauliflower; cut into medium sized florets
1 Tbsp. Corn Starch
Drizzle of neutral oil or coconut oil; enough to coat the florets
Salt and pepper to taste
½ Cup Buffalo Sauce (My favorite bottled variety is Frank’s)
(OPTIONAL: Garlic Powder, Chile Powder)
Shortcut Yogurt Ranch Dip:
1 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
Packet Ranch Seasoning, to taste; add a little at a time and adjust accordingly
PROCEDURE:
Preheat oven to 425*
Toss cauliflower florets in a bowl with the oil, salt, pepper and any other spices
Spread out in a single layer on a sheet/roasting pan; Roast for 15 minutes, stir and roast for another 15 minutes or until just tender
Taste and adjust seasoning
Toss in a large bowl with the buffalo sauce; Serve with the Shortcut Yogurt Ranch Dip