Cauliflower... The Low-Carb Hero

Cauliflower is certainly having its moment! Not only are chefs using it for its delicious flavour, but people also love it for its ability to be swapped as a low-carb version of potato, cous cous and even pizza base!

Here are some exciting ways to include cauliflower in your diet!

1. Cauliflower rice: Cauliflower can be used as a neat alternative to white rice. Doing this dramatically reduces the carb content of your meal, as well as boosting up the fibre. There are two ways to do this. One is to put the cauliflower in the blender and pulse until it breaks into tiny pieces, then steam it (stirring regularly) and it’s ready to serve. The second way is probably easier; just cook the cauliflower as normal and mash it with a potato masher once cooked. Easy peasy!
2. Cauliflower steaks: Cut a large cauliflower into slices and place on baking paper in an oven set to 200 degrees Celsius. Sprinkle with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast for 15 mins. This makes the perfect side to lots of meals!
3. Cauliflower mash: Similarly to cauliflower rice this is a great way to reduce the carb content of your meal. Cook the cauliflower and mash into small pieces with your potato masher. Add a tiny bit of milk and butter and use your stick blender to combine. Yum!
4. Cauliflower pizza base: I was a bit sceptical of this at first… but it actually works! Now it’s not going to taste exactly like regular pizza dough, but it still tastes pretty great and if it means I can eat pizza more often then I’m all for it! You start off with some pulverized cauliflower and cook it in the microwave until it’s soft. Squeeze out the excess water using a strainer or lots of paper towels. Add some egg, a little bit of cheese (to your liking) and some seasoning and then press down on a baking sheet into a pizza shape. Bake until golden brown before adding your favourite pizza toppings and then return your pizza to the oven as normal. Viola!

What’s so good about cauliflower?

1. It’s low calorie/low-carb! – 100g of cauliflower only has 100kJ (or 24 calories) and only 2g of carbs.
2. It contains heaps of fibre – the fibre in cauliflower makes you feel fuller for longer and keeps your digestive system nice and healthy.
3. It’s rich in vitamins: Cauliflower is full of nutrition. It’s packed with vitamin C, folate and B vitamins.

This humble veg is a low-carb lover’s best friend, so if you haven’t tried cauliflower rice yet you should! We’ve only scratched the surface here with ways to use cauliflower, so add cauliflower to your next shopping list and get cooking!