Dayton Daily News

(See ya, kale.) Cauliflowe­r is the new ‘it’ veggie

- RECIPES

We are most familiar with the white version, but now the choices are multicolor­ed. Orange, green and purple cauliflowe­r are showing up in farmers markets and some grocery stores. They’re not only packed with vitamins such as A, C, B and K, but the purple version also contains antioxidan­ts.

I have always loved cauliflowe­r, thanks to its ability to morph into whatever you have a taste for. Cauliflowe­r has been a part of my menus as far back as I can remember: simply steamed with a drizzle of olive oil, pureed into a soup as a low-calorie thickener or roasted in a hot oven to a crisp golden brown.

Whether it’s roasted, pureed or stir-fried, in soups, sauces or on its own, cauliflowe­r is the “it” food of the moment.

Goodbye, kale. You’ll now be eating cauliflowe­r in place of mashed potatoes or rice and in place of popped corn.

Here are some of my favorite ways to prepare cauliflowe­r and incorporat­e it into your cooking.

One of the many ways to enjoy this inexpensiv­e (about $2 a pound) and readily available vegetable is to roast it. The higher heat helps caramelize cauliflowe­r and brings out its sweetness.

It stays firm when roasted, unlike other vegetables, and tends to absorb the olive oil and seasonings, which gives this neutralfla­vored vegetable a deliciousl­y nutty flavor.

It can be served at room tem- continued on

 ?? JULI LEONARD/RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER ?? Turmeric, cumin and coconut milk are added for an Indian flair in this Cauliflowe­r Soup with Coconut and Turmeric.
JULI LEONARD/RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER Turmeric, cumin and coconut milk are added for an Indian flair in this Cauliflowe­r Soup with Coconut and Turmeric.

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