Sweet ‘N’ Sticky Cauliflower Florets with a Cooling Coconut Dip

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Prep time
20 mins
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Cook time
30 mins
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Ready time
50 mins
Think of this as the ultimate cauliflower dish that’ll have you coming back for more!
Method
Preheat the oven to 240°C (220°C fan)/475°F (425F fan)/gas mark 9 (gas mark 7 fan) and line a baking tray with foil or baking paper.
Place the ingredients for the coconut dipping sauce in a blender and blitz together until smooth (alternatively, vigorously whisk them together in a bowl until combined). Refrigerate until needed.
To make the batter, whisk the ingredients together in a bowl until smooth.
Place the panko breadcrumbs in a food processor and pulse briefly to break up any large pieces. Transfer to a separate bowl.
Dip a cauliflower floret first in the batter and shake off any excess before dredging in the panko crumbs and placing on the prepared baking tray. Repeat with the rest of the florets, then bake for 25 minutes, turning once, until crispy and golden.
Meanwhile, place the gochujang dressing ingredients in a saucepan, bring to the boil and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until smooth and glossy, adding a splash more water if the dressing looks as though it is getting too thick. Keep warm over a low heat.
Transfer the baked cauliflower to a large bowl, pour over the dressing and toss to coat, then scatter over the cucumber slices and sesame seeds to finish. Serve with the coconut dipping sauce.
Additional notes
From Cook Share Eat Vegan by Áine Carlin, published by Mitchell Beazley, priced £20
Photography by Danielle Wood
“Whether it’s griddled, baked, or even blitzed into ‘rice’, I’ve found a multitude of uses for cauliflower but none of them have quite had that ‘knock-yer-socks-off’ effect that this one possesses. Gochujang may seem like a speciality ingredient but thankfully it’s now widely available in supermarkets. I guarantee this spicy Korean paste will soon become a staple – I like to dollop it into stews to boost flavour. Think of this as the ultimate cauliflower dish that’ll have you coming back for more.”